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Alexa Grasso, for now, has bragging rights over Valentina Shevchenko.

After eight quarterfinal fights (four at featherweight, four at middleweight), Grasso holds a 5-3 edge over Shevchenko in the coaching competition. Team Grasso’s No. 2 middleweight pick Paddy McCorry (4-1) sealed the deal for her in the latest episode of The Ultimate Fighter 32 with a first-round submission of Team Bullet’s No. 2 Mark Hulme (12-3).

In a bout between an Irish striker and a South African wrestler, it was McCorry’s grappling skills that surprisingly proved to be the difference. Hulme got out to a fast start, catching a McCorry kick and immediately taking him down, but McCorry fought hard to keep Hulme off of his back and get the fight back to the feet.

Hulme refused to detach from McCorry, determined to score a decisive takedown. When he finally did, it ended up being his undoing. McCorry immediately attacked with a guillotine choke that Hulme could not free his head and neck from. After a brief struggle, Hulme was forced to tap.

McCorry is the third of Grasso’s middleweights to make it to the tournament semifinals, joining Finland’s Omran Chaaban and Switzerland’s Robert Valentin. Ryan Loder (USA) was the lone Team Bullet middleweight to win his opening-round fight.

On the featherweight side of the tournament, each team advanced two fighters: Team Grasso’s Kaan Ofli (Australia) and Mairon Santos (Brazil) and Team Bullet’s Zygimantas Ramaska (Lithuania) and Roedie Roets (South Africa).

After a consultation between the coaches and UFC CEO Dana White, the following semifinal matchups were set:

Middleweight

Omran Chaaban vs. Ryan Loder

Paddy McCorry vs. Robert Valentin

Featherweight

Kaan Ofli vs. Roedie Roets

Zygimantas Ramaska vs. Mairon Santos

Next week, Team Grasso’s Chaaban takes on Team Bullet’s Loder to earn a shot in the TUF 32 middleweight final.

The Ultimate Fighter 32 airs live every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Following the season finale, Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are expected to face off in a flyweight championship trilogy bout at a date still to be determined.

The finalists of the TUF 32 middleweight and featherweight tournaments will also compete for a six-figure UFC contract at the show’s live finale. A date for that event is also yet to be announced.

Here are the TUF 32 rosters divided by team:

Team Grasso

Featherweights

1. Guillermo Torres (Mexico) (7-1)
2. Kaan Ofli (Australia) (10-2-1)
3. Bekhzod Usmonov (Tajikistan) (11-4)
4. Mairon Santos (Brazil) (13-1)

Middleweights

1. Robert Valentin (Switzerland) (10-3)
2. Paddy McCorry (Ireland) (4-1)
3. Omran Chaaban (Finland) (6-1)
4. Tom Theocharis (Canada) (9-5)

Team Shevchenko

Featherweights

1. Roedie Roets (South Africa) (7-1)
2. Zygimantas Ramaska (Lithuania) (9-2)
3. Nathan Fletcher (England) (8-1)
4. Edwin Cooper Jr. (USA) (6-1)

Middleweights

1. Shamidkhan Magomedov (Russia) (7-1)
2. Mark Hulme (South Africa) (12-3)
3. Ryan Loder (USA) (6-1)
4. Giannis Bachar (Greece) (9-2)

Here are the quarterfinal results:

Roedie Roets def. Guillermo Torres via decision

Robert Valentin def. Giannis Bachar via KO (strikes) (R1)

Kaan Ofli def. Nathan Fletcher via decision

Omran Chaaban def. Shamidkhan Magomedov via technical submission (anaconda choke) (R2)

Zygimantas Ramaska def. Bekhzod Usmonov

Ryan Loder def. Tom Theocharis via submission (arm-triangle choke)

Mairon Santos def. Edwin Cooper Jr. via split decision

Paddy McCorry def. Mark Hulme via submission (guillotine choke) (R1)

Advanced to semifinals: Roets, Valentin, Ofli, Chaaban, Ramaska, Loder, Santos, McCorry

Eliminated: Torres, Bachar, Fletcher, Magomedov, Usmonov, Theocharis, Cooper Jr., Hulme

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Undefeated
| BJPenn.com

It’s been over two years since we last saw Francis Ngannou in mixed martial arts (MMA) action.

2024 is expected to be the year Ngannou returns to the sport he made his name in and debut for his new fighting home, Professional Fighters League (PFL). The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion signed with the promotion in early 2023 and has since boxed twice before getting back in a cage.

In Ngannou’s absence, PFL standout, Renan Ferreira, won the division’s seasonal tournament and iced Bellator Heavyweight titleholder, Ryan Bader, in 21 seconds (watch highlights). Ngannou now has an idea of when he’ll make his long-awaited debut.

“I think Renan Ferreira is the guy,” Ngannou said on The Joe Rogan Experience (h/t MMA Fighting). “I’ve been telling people about this guy for almost two years. Very athletic. Fast hands, knees, very athletic. I think it’s going to be him.

“That’s what the PFL is working on. October, sometime,” he concluded. “They’re working on October. It’s not finalized but they were talking about October 19.”

A lot of the speculation around Ngannou has been about what sport he’ll compete in going forward after debuting in boxing. While his first two matches against Tyson Fury (watch highlights) and Anthony Joshua (watch highlights) didn’t go his way, he plans to get back in the squared circle after his MMA return.

“I will say MMA [is definitely] next,” Ngannou said. “Because I was supposed to fight, it’s been a little over a year now since the PFL agreement, and I was supposed to have a fight within a year so now we’re getting a little out of the timeline.”

Ngannou, 37, last saw his hand raised in his only UFC title defense when he earned a unanimous decision against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Despite having missed a small chunk of time in MMA due to injuries, contract negotiations, and his boxing endeavors, Ngannou believes he has a handful of good years left in him before he can put a bow on his storybook run to the top of the combat sports mountain.

“I want to leave the sport before the sport leaves me,” Ngannou said. “I’m thinking like 41. By [then]. Maybe in my 40s, I still feel like I have it. If I feel like at 41, I feel like I have it … take one at a time. What I really don’t want to do is wake up and go to the gym like I’m forced [to go]. If I feel like I have it or I’m excited, oh today’s a sparring day, I’m going to get there whether I beat somebody up or they’re going to beat me up. Either way, I’m excited.

“If I still have that, I’ll keep going,” he concluded. “As soon as I don’t have that, even if I’m not 40 yet, I think that’s a sign.”

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The UFC 304 fight card will have 14 fights for the Edwards vs. Muhmmad 2 event at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will defend his title against Belal Muhammad in a rematch. The two fighters previously met at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13, 2021. The fight was declared a no-contest when Muhammad was determined to have suffered an accidental eye poke.

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will put his belt on the line against Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event. Aspinall lost to Blaydes in their past meeting when he suffered a severe knee injury in the first round at UFC London on July 23, 2022.

Check out the UFC 304 fight card below.

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad

Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes

King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett

Christopher Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues

Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze

Prelims (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)

Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda

Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil

Jake Hadley vs. Caolan Loughran

Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio

Early Prelims (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET)

Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape

Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie

Mick Parkin vs. Lukasz Brzeski

Shauna Bannon vs. Alice Ardelean

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed today that he is currently planning a return to mixed martial arts competition on October 19. – tentatively, in a PFL first outing against Brazilian contender, Renan Ferreira. 

Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight titleholder, has yet to compete in professional mixed martial arts since the beginning of 2022, most recently successfully unifying his divisional crown in a unanimous decision win over former interim champion and then-unbeaten challenger, Ciryl Gane.

However, in the time since, Batie native, Ngannou has featured twice in professional boxing taking on both former world heavyweight championship holders, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in losses to both.

Francis Ngannou expecting to make PFL debut in October

And expected to take on the above-mentioned, Ferreira of the back of his stunning first round win over former Bellator MMA champion, Ryan Bader back in February, Ngannou has now confirmed plans are currently in place for him to enter the SmartCage for the first time in October in a potential Saudi Arabia return for PFL.

“I think Renan Ferreira is the guy,” Francis Ngannou said during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. “I’ve been telling people about this guy for almost two years. Very athletic, fast hands, knees – very athletic. I think it’s going to be him.”

“That’s what the PFL is working on,” Francis Ngannou continued. “October, sometime. They’re working on October. It’s not finalized but they were talking about October 19.”

Gearing up for a return to combat sports following the tragic passing of his infant son, Kobe earlier this year, Ngannou has reportedly returned to training five weeks ago, according to PFL president, Ray Sefo. 

In the midst of a six-fight winning spree, prior to his decision win over Gane, Ngannou minted himself as the heavyweight champion in the UFC with a knockout victory over Stipe Miocic, following wins against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, and Curtis Blaydes – all by way of first round stoppage via strikes.

Who wins in a future PFL matchup: Francis Ngannou or Renan Ferreira?

LowKickMMA.com

Kamaru Usman candidly shared his thoughts on his brother Mohammed’s recent UFC defeat, expressing that he could have performed significantly better.

“The Motor” suffered his second consecutive defeat in the Octagon this past Saturday, falling to Thomas Petersen during the preliminary portion of the UFC Fight Night event at the Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight began with both men cautiously gauging distance. Midway through the round, Petersen connected with a solid left hand, pressed forward, landed a knee, and finished the round strong with a front headlock and more strikes.

In the second round, Usman resumed jabbing but was quickly countered by his opponent, who landed a potent left hand and secured a takedown. Usman managed a technical standup but looked fatigued.

In the third and final round, “The Train” landed another heavy strike and consistently countered his opponent’s single shots. With a minute left, Petersen dominated, finishing with a crucial takedown and ground-and-pound. Petersen defeated Usman by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the contest 30-27.

Mohammed’s elder brother appears disheartened by the setback, but “The Nigerian Nightmare” believes there’s ample scope for refinement and an opportunity for a powerful comeback…

Kamaru Sees Growth Potential In Mohammed’s Game Plan Misstep

During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman weighed in on his younger brother’s loss to Petersen. “The Nigerian Nightmare” critiqued Mohammed’s performance, pointing out that he deviated from his game plan and made several tactical errors, ultimately costing him the bout.

“You know, disappointing loss for him,” Usman said. “But I think this was one of those crossroads fights that lets you know, is this what you want to do or is this not what you want to do? I think he’s right now, sitting at home, reflecting on all the work that he put in. Did you go out there and fight to your abilities? You did not. You didn’t go out there, you didn’t execute the game plan, you didn’t execute what you’re capable of doing.”

The former UFC welterweight champion added that “The Motor” must reevaluate his mistakes and work on them to improve himself for a stronger return.

“I know that’s something that’s very, very tough for him to deal with, but he’s sitting in it. He has to deal with it, he has to understand it, and it’s something that’s potentially going to make him much, much stronger. Like I say, it’s tough to enjoy the great times and winning when you don’t know what losing feels like. So, I think he’s feeling it right now, and I think he’s going to go back, reassess, recompose himself, and go back to it.”

The younger Usman currently boasts an Octagon record of 3-2, having made a striking entrance into the UFC with a second-round knockout victory over Zac Pauga in The Ultimate Fighter 30 Finale in August 2022.

While Mohammed shows promise as a fighter, he has yet to reach the same level of success that his brother achieved in his storied career.

• Read More: Kamaru Usman’s Brother Alleges ‘Desperate’ Leon Edwards Knew He Lost Trilogy Fight; Was Gifted Hometown Decision

Continue Reading Kamaru Usman Honest About Brother Mohammed’s Latest UFC Loss: ‘Is This What You Want To Do Or Is It Not…’ at MMA News.

MMA News

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Iasmin Lucindo attempts to make a big jump in the strawweight rankings when she meets fellow Brazilian Marina Rodriguez at UFC 307 on Oct. 5, multiple people confirmed the match-up following a report from Ag. Fight.

The promotion has yet to officially announce the main event and the location for the show, which is currently targeted for Salt Lake City. Ex-champion Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev is the other fight reported for the pay-per-view card.

Lucindo (16-5) entered the top-15 in the MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings after defeating former title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz in May, her third straight UFC win after topping Polyana Viana and Brogan Walker. She also pocketed a $ 50,000 performance bonus for her submission win over Viana.

Rodriguez (17-4-2) was close to challenging for the title at one point of her career following victories over Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan, but now looks to rebound from a 1-3 run since 2022 with defeats to fellow Brazilians Amanda Lemos, Virna Jandiroba and Jessica Andrade.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

MMA Weekly launched its official podcast this week, and the first episode was outstanding. Shawne Merriman made a legendary appearance, speaking all things MMA, Jake Paul’s boxing career, and Donald Trump’s assassination attempt.

Merriman is a former NFL standout who rose to superstardom during his debut season with the San Diego Chargers. The linebacker captured the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and went on to make three Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections. Unfortunately for ‘Light’s Out’, injuries would plague his career, stunting his career in the National Football League to just seven years.

However, football isn’t the only sport Shawne Merriman has a keen interest in. While making an appearance on the MMA Weekly podcast, Merriman discussed his transition over to mixed martial arts.

The 40-year-old is the founder of rising combat sports promotion Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. Hoping to provide the fan’s with high quality fights for free, Merriman is airing LXF events on his new streaming service — which offers numerous other sporting events and movies, suitable for every sporting fan.

“So, I just launched Light’s Out Sports TV — my own streaming service,” Merriman said on the MMA Weekly podcast. “It’s like a free, ad-supported, multisports streaming service.”

One of his standout shows on the streaming platform is the aforementioned LXF. Merriman has a lot of belief in his product and is hoping to showcase some of his future events on the coveted UFC Fight Pass.

“I’m trying to get some of the fights for Lights Out Xtreme Fighting on Fight Pass now.”

“To me personally, when it comes to combat sports, I think Fight Pass is the best across the board because they’ve got a little bit of everything.”

Merriman went on to explain how he transitioned from NFL to MMA post-retirement.

“So, I grew up boxing. My uncles were professional boxers. So, naturally, from where I grew up in PG County, Maryland, Washington DC, we just grew up boxing.”

“I was hitting the mitts one day in the gym and [Jay Glazer of Fox Sports] looked over and said, ‘Oh, sh*t. You can box?’ I said, ‘Yeah, a little bit.’ I’m not a professional boxer but I can go.”

“[He said], ‘Have you tried MMA? I think it’ll help you out in football.’ So, he text me an address, the next day I showed up and it was at Randy Couture’s gym when it was in LA.”

“I went in there with Randy the first day and I was pummelling and doing ground work, a lot of hand combat stuff and I just saw what it did for me as a football player.”

“So, I started training with all these guys. All the big-name guys in the mid 2000s, I started hanging and training with them after I was done with my football workouts. That’s how I got into the business.”

“Then I ended up launching my own promotion in 2019. So, it’s been crazy, man. We’re a regional organization, but it’s kind of grown the last two years.”

Shawne Merriman’s passion for MMA grew so much that he had hopes of one day competing in the sport.

“Initially, I was planning on fighting for Bellator. It never happened because, at the time, you’ve got to think, I retired in 2013. This whole celebrity, influencer stuff didn’t get big until like 2019 or 20.”

“So, I was ahead of my time for the money that I was looking for. It was crazy to them for what I was asking for [but] now it’s a starting point.”

Merriman later turned his attention to Jake Paul’s splash in the boxing world.

“I’ve got a pretty decent relationship with Jake and I seen him work from the start…” Merriman said. “I saw him working. Running hills, sparring other guys that had six to ten pro fights, and getting after him.”

“[I watched him] getting clocked, coming right back, and I was like, ‘This dude is gonna be something.’ I don’t know how far he’s gonna take it, but he’s going to make a lot of noise on the industry…”

Related: Jake Paul stops Mike Perry after scoring multiple knockdowns

The NFL veteran went on to discuss the controversial Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson matchup.

“I think it’ll happen but I think the steam is off of it… The worst thing that could have happened in that situation is he had a health problem. People are already worried about him fighting because of his age, because of his health, and the fact that the fight didn’t happen yet because of his health. It just takes the steam off a little bit on what it was.”

Moving on to the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Merriman opened up about being emotional watching it all unfold.

“I was watching it live when it happened. When it happened, I thought he was swatting it like a bug… And then I heard the gunshots and I heard them drop.”

“I teared up. I teared up, man, because I thought that we’ve all watched the former president get assassinated on live TV. I was tearing up because, obviously, I’m close with Donald Trump, and I’m close with Jr…”

“I almost cried. I thought we seen him get assassinated on live TV. I was shaken. I was shaken like hell.”

Make sure to check out the brilliant MMA Weekly podcast featuring Shawne Merriman below!

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