UFC Shanghai reportedly adds flyweight bout for return to China

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to China is scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium and a new flyweight matchup has reportedly been added to the card.

Kevin Borjas (11-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) is set to face Rei Tsuruya (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), per multiple reports. However, the UFC is yet to confirm the booking.

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Kevin Borjas vs. Rei Tsuruya added to UFC Shanghai card A flyweight matchup between Kevin Borjas and Rei Tsuruya has reportedly been added to UFC Fight Night 286’s lineup.

Borjas, a Dana White’s Contender Series signee, has struggled in the UFC so far, with a 2-4 record inside the Octagon. In the Peruvian’s last fight, he beat Andre Lima by unanimous decision after missing weight.

Meanwhile, Tsuruya earned his spot on the UFC roster via Road to UFC. The Japanese 125-pounder made his promotional debut at UFC 303, beating Carlos Hernandez by decision, before losing to current champion Joshua Van. He then won his next bout…

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Coach Greg Jackson says UFC newcomer is the most talented athlete he’s ever seen

Greg Jackson believes Gable Steveson has the potential to redefine mixed martial arts.

The 26-year-old Olympic heavyweight wrestling gold medalist is set to make his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11. Ahead of his fight against Elisha Ellison, his coach has hyped up what he’s capable of.

Gable Steveson’s olympic wrestling background fuels UFC expectationsSteveson won Olympic gold in heavyweight wrestling at the Tokyo Games in August 2021 and subsequently flirted with the idea of joining the UFC. He turned pro last year and, under the mentorship of Jon Jones, has extended his overall mixed martial arts record to 3-0, winning every fight via first-round finish.

Expectations are sky-high for Steveson as he prepares to make his Octagon debut and coach Jackson believes the Olympian could emerge as a transformational figure in the sport.

“I think, if you're a fan, you're gonna need to tune in to see what …

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UFC 329: How to watch McGregor vs. Holloway weigh-ins on CBS

Conor McGregor and Max Holloway are set to weigh-in live on CBS ahead of their upcoming clash in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

A day before UFC 329 gets underway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which will mark McGregor’s long-awaited Octagon return, CBS will air “This Is UFC: McGregor vs. Holloway,” a one-hour live primetime special on July 10.

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UFC 329 weigh-in time, CBS special details and McGregor vs. Holloway coverage CBS will air “This Is UFC: McGregor vs. Holloway,” a one-hour live primetime special, a day before UFC 329. The special, set to air on Friday, July 10, at 9 p.m. ET, will feature McGregor and Holloway’s weigh-ins live.

The special will also include Nate Burleson’s interview with McGregor, an interview with Dana White and additional features that will blend live coverage with storytelling. After airing on the network, it will be available to stream on Paramount+.

UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 will then stream on Satu…

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Tom Aspinall makes bold Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway prediction

Tom Aspinall has made a bold prediction for Conor McGregor’s return to action in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ahead of McGregor’s highly anticipated rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 329, set for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC heavyweight king has shared his take on the matchup. Aspinall is siding with the Irish icon, predicting a quick finish.

Tom Aspinall picks Conor McGregor to score quick KO at UFC 329 Aspinall talked about the upcoming fight between Holloway and McGregor on his YouTube channel. The Brit is encouraged by the latter’s recent interviews, wherein he appears to be in the right mindset.

“I watched a couple of his interviews recently. He seems in a really good place,” Aspinall said. “I know it’s only an interview, but he does seem in a good place. When McGregor’s on form, he’s absolutely unreal. Absolutely unreal.”

Further breaking down the rematch, Aspinall claimed that neither fighter is at their best, with McGregor com…

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Max Holloway ahead of Conor McGregor rematch at UFC 329: I’m still the UFC’s best boxer

Max Holloway is eager to remind fans how good a striker he is.

Conor McGregor is set to return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship following a five-year hiatus at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Holloway, who is confident in his ability to defeat the former two-division champion and showcase his skills.

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Max Holloway explains why he believes he'll outbox Conor McGregor at UFC 329 Holloway has hyped up his boxing ahead of the rematch with McGregor. The Hawaiian is renowned for his relentless pressure, unparalleled cardio, masterful command of distance and volume striking. Meanwhile, his Irish counterpart is known for his power and timing, which took him as far as securing a pro-boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In a new interview with New York Post Sports, Holloway discussed the matchup. He was asked about the prospect of facing a striker who famously boxed Mayweather Jr., revealing his desire to reiterate his clai…

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Dustin Poirier says father’s alcoholism led to airport arrest

Dustin Poirier has shared intimate details about his father’s struggles with alcoholism and its influence on him.

Poirier (30-10) was recently arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for public drunkenness. While the former Ultimate Fighting Championship star was traveling to South Florida, he started drinking during the layover in Atlanta. He was then denied entry to his flight, following which he uttered a racial slur and threatened to fight a police officer, got arrested and was later released on bail.

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He recently revealed that the alcohol binge that led to the arrest was partly triggered by memories of his father. “The Diamond” claims his father has been a lifelong victim of alcohol addiction, which led to estrangement from friends and family.

“He’s ruined his marriages; he’s ruined his relationships, his friendships. He’s ruined his relationship with his kids,” Poirier said on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast. “My little broth…

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Craig Jones recalls Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC 322 banter

Craig Jones didn’t have much to say when Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov brought up the jiu-jitsu vs. combat sambo debate with him.

Jones is considered one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners of recent times. He has humorously taken shots at combat sambo repeatedly, claiming to have found the answer to elite wrestlers like Makhachev and Nurmagomedov. Moreover, Jones has been an integral part of multiple Australian fighters’ camps leading up to fights against wrestlers.

However, he found himself on the losing side when Jack Della Maddalena put his welterweight title on the line against Makhachev at UFC 322 last November. Despite Jones’ assistance, Della Maddalena was dominated on the ground for five rounds by Makhachev, who then confronted the grappling coach about his jiu-jitsu superiority claims.

Craig Jones explains his exchange with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC 322While Jones didn’t say it to Makhachev’s face, he thought he had serve…
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Why Veronica Hardy pulled out of UFC Oklahoma City bout

Veronica Hardy has been ruled out of her fight against Dione Barbosa at UFC Oklahoma City.

They were slated to lock horns at the next Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Night on July 18. However, Hardy suffered a cut while training, leading her to withdraw from the fight card. Instead, Anna Melisano has stepped in to take on Barbosa.

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Veronica Hardy withdraws after training injury, Anna Melisano steps in Hardy has revealed in an Instagram post how she suffered a cut during a recent training session. She posted a video of her sparring session, including slow-motion footage of a clash of heads with her training partner. Her post also includes images of her cut, both open and stitched up.

“It pains me to write this. I’ve replayed the day over and over wishing it would have gone differently,” Hardy wrote in the caption. “The headgear wasn’t enough. I was so excited for Oklahoma City and I’m left heartbroken and disappointed. I am very sorry. I hope t…

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Dustin Poirier reveals what would convince him to return to the UFC

Dustin Poirier isn’t ruling out a return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Poirier (30-10) called it a career last year following a loss to Max Holloway. While “The Diamond” never tasted undisputed UFC gold despite three bids, he enjoyed a memorable run in the lightweight division. The former interim champion recently admitted that he’s still open to a return to the Octagon for a lucrative fight.

Dustin Poirier isn't done yet—and he already has two dream opponents Poirier’s former foe, Conor McGregor, returns to action after a five-year hiatus against Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11. McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in a trilogy loss against “The Diamond” back in 2021.

The American is open to ending his retirement to fight McGregor for a fourth time and would also consider returning for a bout against Nate Diaz. Poirier vs. Diaz never came to fruition despite nearly materializing previously. Furthermore, while Poirier is 1-1 against current lightweigh…

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Dricus du Plessis says Kamaru Usman needed convincing to sign fight

Dricus Du Plessis has accused former Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder Kamaru Usman of delaying their bout.

While Usman and du Plessis are now confirmed to be squaring off at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, the latter claims “The Nigerian Nightmare” wasn’t keen on the matchup. Ahead of the two former champions’ clash, du Plessis has revealed that the UFC had to convince Usman to sign the contract.

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Dricus Du Plessis claims Kamaru Usman didn’t want UFC fight contract The UFC Oklahoma City main event announcement was left until the 11th hour, despite du Plessis claiming weeks earlier that he’d been offered a fight and was waiting for his opponent to sign the contract. With the Fight Night headlining bout now confirmed, “Stillknocks” has opened up about how it came together.

“He didn’t want to sign the contract. I know that for a fact,” du Plessis said in an interview with Fight Forecast. “I spoke to the UFC and they said, ‘We finally convinced…

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