Martial Arts News

Fabricio Werdum has no interest in sharing the mat with Rousimar Palhares.

Palhares called out the former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder after Junior dos Santos withdrew from their scheduled grappling match at Kings Championship 2, an event promoted by Rafael Cordeiro taking place in Florianopolis, Brazil. However, Werdum declined the matchup, citing Palhares’ history of submission-related controversies.

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Rousimar Palhares responds after Fabricio Werdum declines matchup Shortly after dos Santos withdrew from his scheduled grappling match with Werdum at Kings Championship 2, Palhares offered himself as a replacement. The former UFC middleweight last competed in 2024.

Werdum rejected the offer, pointing to Palhares’ history of controversial submission finishes.

“Toquinho, I have no interest in fighting you,” Werdum said in a recent interview. “The first thing we learn when we step onto the mat is to let go of the submission…

Islam Makhachev believes Michael Morales still has work ahead of him to earn a title shot.

Makhachev (28-1) is scheduled to put his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title on the line against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. While Garry ultimately received the title shot, surging contender Carlos Prates and the unbeaten Morales were also in the running.

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Islam Makhachev slams Michael Morales’ inactivity, eyes ‘exciting’ Carlos Prates Both Morales (19-0) and Prates (24-7) campaigned for title shots before Garry got the call. Despite Morales being the official backup fighter for the UFC 330 main event, the reigning champion believes Prates is ahead of the Ecuadorian in the welterweight pecking order.

Morales hasn’t fought since knocking out Sean Brady at UFC 322 last November, on the same card that Makhachev won the title against Jack Della Maddalena and Prates finished former champ Leon Edward…

Daniel Cormier says one of the strangest moments of his broadcasting career came when he unknowingly criticized a fighter who was later investigated in connection with alleged fight-fixing.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer recently reflected on the incident during an appearance on the “In the Bayou” podcast, explaining that he spent the bout questioning the fighter's unusually poor grappling before learning about the suspected betting irregularities.

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The UFC Hall of Famer details how an ordinary broadcast became linked to a betting investigation Cormier recalled a UFC bout that was later flagged for suspicious activity, though he did not know about the investigation while calling the fight. During the broadcast, he questioned the fighter’s struggles on the ground before learning that the matchup was under investigation.

“One time they had a fight at the UFC Apex and this one dude was grappling. He was so horrible at grappling,” Corm…

Rousimar Palhares believes Valter Walker has all the tools to become an Ultimate Fighting Championship champion.

Walker has emerged as one of the promotion's most unique heavyweight prospects, compiling five consecutive first-round victories via leg-based submissions, including four heel hooks and a calf slicer. The streak has earned the Brazilian the nickname "The Heavyweight Toquinho" in Brazil, a fitting moniker given that Walker has openly acknowledged modeling his submission game after Palhares.

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Speaking to Sherdog, the former UFC middleweight said he’s impressed watching Walker enjoy success with the same submission that made him one of the sport's most feared grapplers.

“It's very rewarding to see him doing this without anyone judging him,” Palhares said. “I'm sure he'll become champion because the opponents in the division don't know how to defend it.”

Palhares established himself as one of MMA's most feared submission specialists, bu…

Most Valuable Promotions isn't shying away from going against the Ultimate Fighting Championship following its merger with the Professional Fighters League.

Shortly after the merger, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian doubled down on the promotion's long-term ambitions, arguing that the new venture will prioritize fighters in ways he believes the industry leader has failed to do. This comes shortly after UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the newly merged company as a threat to his promotion.

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MVP co-founder outlines why he believes the merged promotion can become a legitimate UFC rival The merger between MVP and PFL represents one of the most significant recent developments in the professional mixed martial arts landscape. While some have suggested the merger could create a viable competitor to the UFC, others have dismissed that possibility.

Bidarian has now highlighted MVP's long-term approach. Speaking to TMZ Sports, he said the organization's vision ce…

Coach Javier Mendez’s confidence in Islam Makhachev’s striking has grown leaps and bounds over the years.

Makhachev (28-1) is scheduled to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title for the first time against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. While Makhachev is known for his wrestling and grappling prowess and Garry’s main asset is his evasive striking, Mendez claims his pupil won’t be out of his depth on the feet.

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‘People sleep on his striking’: Javier Mendez hails Islam Makhachev’s well-rounded skillset Makhachev’s striking has developed impressively with time, as he held his own against Dustin Poirier and knocked out Alexander Volkanovski with a head kick. Coach Mendez believes Makhachev doesn’t necessarily need to take Garry down to the canvas to beat him.

While Makhachev will likely have a massive advantage on the mat, Mendez believes the champion can win with his striking alone.<…

Jan Blachowicz is eager to bounce back from his recent defeat in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has singled out who he wants to return against.

Blachowicz took on Navajo Stirling in the main event of UFC Belgrade. Stirling had accepted the matchup on less than three weeks’ notice, making a 40-day turnaround from a win over Ion Cutelaba, and finished Blachowicz via vicious ground-and-pound in less than three minutes.

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Jan Blachowicz wants Robert Whittaker next after his loss to Navajo Stirling Stirling’s teammate, Robert Whittaker, recently mentioned Blachowicz while discussing future matchups. The former middleweight champ said that he would have been interested in fighting Blachowicz if the Polish veteran hadn’t lost to Stirling.

Blachowicz has now called out Whittaker on X.

“Hey, [Robert Whittaker]! Let’s turn your words into action,” Blachowicz posted.

Whittaker (27-9) made his light heavyweight debut last month after back-to…

Islam Makhachev assures fans that his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, isn’t running his social media.

Abdelaziz manages several fighters from the Caucasus region, who aren’t very fluent in English. The veteran manager has often been accused of running his fighters’ social media accounts when they chirp at their opponents in English, although he doesn’t appear to be behind Makhachev’s online posts.

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Islam Makhachev denies that Ali Abdelaziz runs his social media Makhachev (28-1) will look to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Ahead of his first title defense at 170 pounds, the Dagestani took to X to reveal that Abdelaziz doesn’t have his password alongside an image of his manager.

“Ali don’t have my password don’t worry,” Makhachev posted.

While Abdelaziz has been accused of posting online on behalf of high-profile fighters who don’t …

Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has made some bold predictions.

Nurmagomedov (22-0) is currently a free agent, having exhausted his Professional Fighters League contract after defending his lightweight title against Archie Colgan. While the PFL has a 90-day exclusive negotiation window with Nurmagomedov, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is also looking to sign the undefeated Dagestani.

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Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager predicts wins over Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira and other UFC contenders Abdelaziz wants Nurmagomedov to fight Ilia Topuria in his UFC debut if he signs with the promotion. The veteran manager believes Nurmagomedov would make the former two-division UFC champion quit.

Abdelaziz and Nurmagomedov both regard current UFC champion Justin Gaethje as the best lightweight in the world. However, Abdelaziz believes Nurmagomedov would dominate most other elite UFC contenders at 155 pounds.

According to Abdelaziz, Paddy Pimbl…

How to watch Aaron McKenna vs. Etinosa Oliha: Paramount+, Sky Sports and the full Zuffa Boxing 10 lineup Zuffa Boxing is set to make its Irish debut Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin.

Here’s a brief rundown for those who want to watch the event.

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How to watch Zuffa Boxing 10 in the United States Zuffa Boxing 10 will air live on Paramount+ at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Aug. 8.

Aaron McKenna (20-0) will have the home crowd rallying behind him as he takes on Italy’s Etinosa Oliha (21-0) for the vacant IBF middleweight title in the main event. Both boxers have 10 knockouts and will put their undefeated records on the line.

How to watch Zuffa Boxing 10 in the United Kingdom U.K. fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports at 7 p.m. BST.

Here’s a complete look at the card as of Aug. 6:

Aaron McKenna vs. Etinosa OlihaCallum Walsh vs. Tyler DennyJoe Ward vs. Artjom KasparianSam Hickey vs. Brad AxeLouis Grenne vs. Daniel BuciucStevie McKenna vs. Owen O’Ne…

The early odds are out for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s next event in Los Angeles, set for Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena.

Joshua Van (17-2) will put his flyweight title on the line in a rematch against Alexandre Pantoja (30-6) in the main event of UFC 331. Pantoja defended the title four times before losing it to Van last December. The odds have their upcoming rematch as nearly a pick’em.

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UFC 331 opening odds for Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja, Arman Tsarukyan and Gable Steveson Pantoja injured his arm while attempting to brace his fall after Van caught a kick and dumped him, prompting the referee to step in less than 30 seconds into the fight. Van has since defended his title with a final-round stoppage win over Tatsuro Taira. He is on a seven-fight winning streak since his lone UFC loss in 2024. The oddsmakers have it as a coin-flip matchup, with Van opening at -115 and Pantoja at -105, according to Bet Online.

Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan…

⚖️ #PFLCharlotte Official Weigh Ins

Bryan Battle: 185.6 lbsDalton Rosta: 185.8 lbs

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Be there this Friday, August 7th🎟️https://t.co/LsiQ59XlNj #PFLCharlotte | Friday, August 7th | 📺 Prelims 6:30PM on the ESPN App | Main Card 10PM EST on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Oo1I9vOULx — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 6, 2026 The Professional Fighters League's return to North Carolina is officially set following the PFL Charlotte weigh-ins.

The 13-fight card will feature an important middleweight scrap as the main event. Headliners Bryan Battle and Dalton Rosta both made weight for their headliner, as each contender looks to get back into the win column. All other fighters also made weight for the mixed martial arts event.

Battle (12-3, 1 NC) was most recently seen inside the PFL cage in a losing effort to Johnny Eblen. The former middleweight champion submitted "The Butcher" with a face crank in under a round. The defeat broke a five-fi…