Martial Arts News

Conor McGregor recently voiced his appreciation for Bareknuckle Fighting Championship ring girl Kaitlyn Bertrand.

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Bertrand was bestowed with the BKFC “Ring Girl of the Year” honors consecutively for 2023 and 2024. Bertrand took to Instagram to express her gratitude for her recent success.

“I’m beyond grateful to have been voted Ring Girl of the Year for both 2023 & 2024! This past year has been a whirlwind of back to back shows, and I can’t thank you all enough for the love and support,” Bertrand wrote on Instagram. “It means everything to be recognized doing what I love.”

McGregor, who is now a stakeholder in BKFC, had a short and powerful message for Bertrand. The Irishman wrote in the comments section: “My World Champion!”

Bertrand is a model who has dabbled in making adult content and taken her talents to the boxing promotion ProBox TV. 

Meanwhile, McGregor became part owner of the BKFC in April 2024. “Notorious” is…

🚨 Dana White says he'll be announcing Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall soon 👀

"We'll get Aspinall vs Jones done... the heavyweight fight will happen. Just relax, I'll announce that soon."

🎥 @danawhite #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/mBFcJcjddo

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 13, 2025

Dana White once again assured the UFC fanbase that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is happening. 

The Jones and Aspinall fight has been in the making for over a year now. Jones won the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in 2023 after returning to action from a three-year hiatus. He was then supposed to defend it against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 later that year, but was forced out with an injury. Aspinall went on to win a short-notice interim title fight against Sergei Pavlovich, as Miocic refused to fight anyone but Jones. 

Despite Aspinall being the interim champ, Jones remained adamant on defending his title against Miocic, which…

Joe Rogan's original claim to fame, “Fear Factor,” could affect his UFC schedule following the show’s revival. 

Rogan made his debut as a UFC interviewer in 1997 for free, according to Dana White. However, it was his appearance as the host of the original “Fear Factor” show from 2001-2006 that shot him to stardom. 

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Fox recently announced the revival of Fear Factor, leading to obvious speculations about whether Rogan will be a part of it. However, Fox’s Entertainment president Michael Thorn said it’s too early to decide that.

“We just ordered the series and we are in the process of hiring showrunners and everything right now,” Thorn told Deadline. “Obviously he’s major talent tied to the show, but it’s too early for us to say how we’re going to move forward right now. But we’re thrilled to have the property and think we’re going to be able to really compliment our unscripted lineup with it.”

There has been speculation that Rog…

Ali Abdelaziz confirms that Islam Makhachev will compete for the welterweight title this year, whether Jack Maddalena is ready to fight or sidelined due to injury.

"Islam will fight for the title this year regardless of whether Maddalena is injured or ready to fight. This is the… pic.twitter.com/95tPUc73ID

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 14, 2025

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Islam Makhachev manager Ali Abdelaziz is sure that Dagestani will fight for the welterweight title this year, regardless of the opponent. 

The entire landscape of the lightweight and welterweight divisions have changed in the past few weeks. Makhachev has long been planning a move to 170 pounds, but friend Belal Muhammad being the champ stood as a hurdle. However, Muhammad was dethroned by Jack Della Maddalena in an upset at UFC 315 last weekend. Makhachev officially vacated his lightweight title on Tuesday, and Dana White confirmed that he will fight Maddalena for t…

"Patchy" Mix is officially a free agent.

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The Professional Fighters League on Tuesday announced that it will not be extending Mix’s contract. That will allow the bantamweight standout to pursue other options. Mix was one of a number of former Bellator MMA athletes who had expressed frustration over a lack of activity since the promotion was purchased by the PFL.

“Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed not to extend his contract. We both decided that this is the best course of action for PFL and him,” the PFL wrote in a statement. “Patchy is a fantastic fighter and we wish him well. PFL is excited to crown our next 135-pound champion in the PFL World Tournament.

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed to not extend his contract.

We wish Patchy Mix all the best in his future pic.twitter.com/xUHSZ45we6

— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 13, 2025

Mix fought once with…

Dricus Du Plessis’ opponent for his next title defense has been set for a while. It was simply a matter of selecting a date and venue.

On Tuesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Du Plessis will defend his middleweight belt against No. 1 contender Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 319 headliner. The card takes place on Aug. 16 at the United Center in Chicago, marking the promotion’s first trip to the city since 2019.

Du Plessis is unbeaten in his last 11 professional outings, a streak that dates back to before his Octagon debut. “Stillknocks” become the 185-pound champ at UFC 297, when he took a split vedict over Sean Strickland. The South African has since defended the throne with victories over Israel Adesanya and in a rematch with Strickland.

Chimaev, meanwhile, is 2-0 since moving up to 185 pounds after weight-cut issues forced him to leave the welterweight division. His middleweight debut came at UFC 294, where he took a majority decision against former w…

The UFC’s International Fight Week card will feature two championship pairings at the top of the bill.

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UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that Ilia Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight strap, while Alexandre Pantoja will defend his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317. Islam Makhachev is relinquishing his 155-pound title to move up to welterweight, White also confirmed.

UFC 317 takes place on June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Other bouts confirmed for the card include a middleweight clash between Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov and a lightweight rebooking pitting Beneil Dariush against Renato Carneiro.

Topuria vacated the featherweight belt earlier this year in hopes of pursuing championship dreams at 155 pounds. “El Matador” captured the 145-pound strap with a second-round KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 before defending the crown with a third-round knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 30…

Islam Makhachev won’t be a simultaneous two-division champion after all.

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UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday that Makhachev will vacate the lightweight crown and face reigning welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena at a future event. The date for that fight was not revealed.

Della Maddalena claimed the welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 this past Saturday. That cleared the way for Makhachev to move up a division, because the Dagestani standout didn’t want to fight for the title if Muhammad — a friend and training partner — still held the belt.

Makhachev has won his last 15 UFC appearances, a streak that includes four successful lightweight title defenses. He last competed at UFC 311, where he scored a first-round submission win over Renato Carneiro.

Della Maddalena has won 18 consecutive professional outings — including his first eight Octagon appearances. The Aussie was able to capi…

After a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi last Saturday at UFC 315, Jose Aldo announced his retirement.

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However, a post published by Aldo himself on Instagram the following day left open the possibility that the “King of Rio” might rethink his decision.

“This may have been my last time in the Octagon,” Aldo wrote in a three paragraph letter to fans, leaving doubt in the air.

It appears that Aldo’s future could be clarified next Saturday, as the former featherweight champion has called a press conference to further explain his post. The event will be broadcast live on Aldo’s Instagram.

“Stay tuned and follow everything closely,” Aldo wrote.

Aldo’s full Instagram post from this past weekend is as follows:

“This MAY have been my last time in the octagon. During this week, I experienced one of the greatest battles of my life, and it wasn’t against an opponent, but within myself. In recent years, I have once again nurtu…

"This is indeed a landmark moment for ESPN & for sports fans everywhere."

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro & ESPN EVP of Programming & Acquisitions Rosalyn Durant share key points from Tuesday's announcement of ESPN's new direct-to-consumer offering

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More: https://t.co/zaHcX88OEq pic.twitter.com/e6VAWLp5sh — ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) May 13, 2025

ESPN will be increasing its focus on streaming in the coming months with an update that will directly affect Ultimate Fighting Championship fans.

The Worldwide Leader announced on Tuesday that a new direct-to-consumer streaming service — simply known as “ESPN” — will launch this fall. For a $29.99 per month subscription fee (or $299.99 annually), viewers will be able to access the entire lineup of ESPN networks and content. In a release, this is referred to as the unlimited plan. There are also bundling options with Hulu and Disney+ available for $35.99 per month with ads or …

Jon Jones doesn’t appear to be too concerned with public perception.

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During a recent session on Instagram Live, the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion addressed accusations that he has been actively avoiding a fight against interim title holder Tom Aspinall. While UFC CEO Dana White has been confident that Jones vs. Aspinall will happen this year, there has been little tangible progress made — at least publicly — when it comes to negotiations for that fight.

In the meantime, Aspinall has grown exceedingly frustrated with the wait, as he has not competed since defending the interim crown with a stoppage of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. In a recent interview, the Englishman suggested that he would be ready to move on from Jones if the bout isn’t finalized soon.

Jones, however, doesn’t seem to be in a rush to get back in the Octagon.

“I’ve got people in the chat calling me a ‘duck,’” Jones said. “Meanwhile, I’m living my absolute best life…

The results of the two title bouts at UFC 315 could ultimately affect several weight classes.

On his weekly podcast, “Papo de Luta,” UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentator Carlos Barreto noted the direct impact caused by Valentina Shevchenko and Jack Della Maddalena’s victories at UFC 315. Barreto admitted that he was surprised by both results, which could impact as many as four divisions.

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“I expected an extremely aggressive Manon [Fiorot] to surprise Valentina with her good speed, greater reach and tactical understanding, but it ooks like the trilogy with Alexa rekindled the best Valentina,” Barreto said. “She came back renewed, dominated Fiorot and showed once again that she is among the greatest of all time.”

Barreto also thought that Muhammad would take away Maddalena’s space for striking by mixing up his attacks.

“The [Gilbert] Burns fight was very good for Maddalena to correct gaps (mainly takedown defense),” Barreto said. “Belal surprised me…