Martial Arts News

Terrance McKinney will be fighting at UFC Fight Night 230 this weekend, after all.

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“T. Wrecks” (14-6) was originally slated to face Chris Duncan at the UFC Apex on Oct. 14, but that matchup fell through days after it was announced. The Ultimate Fighting Championship had since been trying to find a new opponent for McKinney and finally found one in Brendon Marotte (8-1), who steps up on less than a week’s notice to make his promotional debut. The news of the booking was first reported by McKinney on an Instagram live session with The Schmo.

This will be a quick turnaround for McKinney, who is coming off a first-round knockout win over Mike Breeden in August. It will also be the fourth outing of the year for the 29-year-old, who suffered stoppage losses against Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov in January and July respectively. McKinney also stated that he’d ideally would like to make another walk to the Octagon before the year ends.

Marotte re…

Terrance McKinney will be fighting at UFC Fight Night 230 this weekend, after all.

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“T. Wrecks” (14-6) was originally slated to face Chris Duncan at the UFC Apex on Oct. 14, but that matchup fell through days after it was announced. The Ultimate Fighting Championship had since been trying to find a new opponent for McKinney and finally found one in Brendon Marotte (8-1), who steps up on less than a week’s notice to make his promotional debut. The news of the booking was first reported by McKinney on an Instagram live session with The Schmo.

This will be a quick turnaround for McKinney, who is coming off a first-round knockout win over Mike Breeden in August. It will also be the fourth outing of the year for the 29-year-old, who suffered stoppage losses against Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov in January and July respectively. McKinney also stated that he’d ideally would like to make another walk to the Octagon before the year ends.

Marotte re…

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Joseph Pyfer (12-2) became the first fighter to submit Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 229 on Oct. 7.

Pyfer looked nearly flawless as he outperformed Alhassan on the feet in the opening frame before submitting him with an arm-triangle 2:05 into Round 2. During his post-fight interview, “Bodybagz” revealed that the arm-triangle is his go-to move and that he saw the finish coming the moment Alhassan’s coach advised him to let go of the trapped arm.

Going into the bout, Pyfer had called for “real money” before accepting fights against ranked opponents. While Pyfer claims he isn't unhappy with his current deal, the 27-year-old would like to renegotiate his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship based on three consecutive stoppage wins in as many outings.

“I want to get a new contract. I won three; finished three, Pyfer said. “Let’s talk. I don’t say it disrespectfully. And the clickbait media t…

Dana White has lifted the flag ban saying having no flags at Noche UFC "flipped a switch" #UFCVegas80 pic.twitter.com/K2GIB7LyzN

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) October 8, 2023

Dana White confirmed that Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters can now carry their country flag in the Octagon once again.

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The promotion had initially banned fighters from carrying flags last year amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even taking Weili Zhang’s flag away from her following a victory. However, middleweight prospect Joseph Pyfer (12-2) proudly waved the American banner following a stellar submission of Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6) in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 229 on Oct. 7.

Asked about the topic during Saturday’s post-fight press conference, White confirmed that “flags are back.” He also shared that his decision to end the ban was inspired by the recently concluded Noche UFC event, held in honor of Mexican Independenc…

Dana White says Conor McGregor has submitted the paperwork to rejoin USADA 👀 pic.twitter.com/1N3oHVXv3E

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) October 8, 2023

The gears finally appear to be shifting in the right direction for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon.

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The former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division champion has been out of action for over two years, nursing a broken leg suffered in his trilogy clash against Dustin Poirier (29-8). After months of back-and-forth with the United States Anti-Doping Agency about returning to their testing pool, McGregor (22-6) finally seems to have taken some significant steps.

“Notorious” recently claimed to have submitted the paperwork for re-entering the USADA testing pool to the UFC’s Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky. UFC CEO Dana White has now confirmed the same while noting that the Irishman will be officially back in the pool next week…

Dana White says Conor McGregor has submitted the paperwork to rejoin USADA 👀 pic.twitter.com/1N3oHVXv3E

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) October 8, 2023

The gears finally appear to be shifting in the right direction for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon.

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The former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division champion has been out of action for over two years, nursing a broken leg suffered in his trilogy clash against Dustin Poirier (29-8). After months of back-and-forth with the United States Anti-Doping Agency about returning to their testing pool, McGregor (22-6) finally seems to have taken some significant steps.

“Notorious” recently claimed to have submitted the paperwork for re-entering the USADA testing pool to the UFC’s Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky. UFC CEO Dana White has now confirmed the same while noting that the Irishman will be officially back in the pool next week…

Daniel Santos is out of his #UFCSaoPaulo bout vs. Daniel Marcos, per multiple sources. The promotion is seeking a replacement for Nov. 4. pic.twitter.com/MsJ14KVmEd

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) October 7, 2023

Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight Daniel Santos (12-2) will not be a part of the festivities as the Las Vegas-based promotion returns to Sao Paulo on Nov. 4 after four long years.

Santos was originally scheduled to face undefeated Peruvian prospect Daniel Marcos (15-0) on the bill. However, Nolan King of MMA Junkie has now reported that “Willycat” is out of the matchup. The reason for the withdrawal currently remains unknown. The 28-year-old is riding a two-fight win streak after coming up short against Julio Arce in his Octagon debut last year.

Meanwhile, Marcos graduated from Dana White’s Contender Series last year with a decision win over Brandon Lewis. “Soncora” went on to pick up a stoppage win over Saimon Oli…

Bassil Hafez vs Preston Parsons booked for the UFC card on January 13, per multiple sources confirmed to myself and @MikeHeck_JR

Story coming to @MMAFighting

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) October 7, 2023

Welterweight newcomer Bassil Hafez (8-4) is set to clash against Preston Parsons (10-4) at an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight night event on Jan. 13, according to a report from MMAFighting’s Damon Martin.

The meeting will mark Hafez's sophomore walk to the Octagon following a short-notice debut earlier this year against elite prospect Jack Della Maddalena. A +525 underdog going into the matchup, “The Habibi” dropped an impressively close Fight of the Night split decision against Maddalena.

Meanwhile, Parsons made his UFC debut in 2021 on the heels of four consecutive submission wins. “Pressure” ended up suffering a Round 1 knockout loss against perennial contender Daniel Rodriguez before bouncing back with a decision wi…

The champ @Usmannmgdv gets the takedown! #Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/WzEu18YC3h

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023

Bellator MMA lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov believes he’s the best in the world and he made a strong case for it after picking apart former champion Brent Primus in the Bellator 300 main event at Perchanga Arena in San Diego, California.

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Primus had no answers for Nurmagomedov (18-0) throughout the fight. Coming off the most well-rounded win of his career over Mansour Barnaoui in the lightweight grand prix quarterfinals, Primus thought he could upset the champ by getting inside and making it an ugly contest.

Unfortunately for Primus (12-4), the champ would have none of it. Nurmagomedov kept Primus at bay on the outside with long body kicks and straight right hands down the pipe. He roughed him up at midrange with knees and hooks, and dominated him on the insid…

Sherdog's live Bellator 300 coverage will begin Saturday at 6:25 p.m. ET. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:

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Round 3 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round: Round 2 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Ben Duffy scores the round:Edwin Ayala scores the round:J.L. Kirven sc…

Bobby Green barely broke a sweat.

The former King of the Cage titleholder turned back the clock in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division, as he cut down Grant Dawson with punches less than a minute into the first round of their UFC Fight Night 229 headliner on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Green (31-14-1, 12-9-1 UFC) closed it out 33 seconds into Round 1.

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Dawson (20-2-1, 8-1-1 UFC) swung and missed at his biggest opportunity to date. Green stepped into a booming straight left and sent him crashing to the mat in a compromised state. Punches and hammerfists followed, as Dawson turned away from contact, turtled and forced referee Keith Peterson to intervene on his behalf.Pyfer Choke Sleeps Alhassan Onetime Ring of Combat champion Joseph Pyfer put Abdul Razak Alhassan to sleep with an arm-triangle choke in the second round of their middleweight co-main event. Alhassan (12-6, 6-6 UFC) lost his grip on reality 2:05 into Round 2…

Sherdog's live UFC Fight Night 229 coverage will begin Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: De La Rosa (-118), Aldrich (-102)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:

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Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round: The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-112), Munoz (-108)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: M…