Martial Arts News

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Los Angeles on Sept. 19 for UFC 331 and the early odds have been unveiled.

In the main event, Joshua Van will look to defend the UFC flyweight title against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch. In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan takes on Mauricio Ruffy in a key lightweight clash with championship implications. The card also features Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf, Patricio Freire vs. Doo Ho Choi and Brian Ortega vs. Renato Carneiro 2.

UFC 331 betting odds favor Alexandre Pantoja over Joshua Van in their title rematchPer BetOnline Sports, UFC flyweight champion Van is a slight underdog at -105 against former champion Pantoja, who enters at -115. Tsarukyan is a much heavier favorite in the co-main event at -380 against Ruffy (+305).

Steveson is the biggest favorite on the card at -1500 against Sharaf (+600), while Robelis Despaigne is also a sizable favorite at -700 against Tai Tuivasa (+505). Notably, Carn…

Alex Apodaca pulled off the biggest upset in Dana White’s Contender Series history, but refuses to put down her opponent.

Apodaca entered the matchup as a massive underdog against the highly touted Bella Mir. She emerged victorious via decision to earn an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract. Mir has since drawn criticism for her performance, but Apodaca believes the backlash isn’t warranted.

Advertisement

Alex Apodaca says Bella Mir is still a ‘good fighter’ after historic DWCS upset While Apodaca laughed off the fact that some viewed her as a “sacrificial lamb” going into the bout, she admits she occasionally doubted herself given the pre-fight betting odds.

“I didn’t find the actual [odds] out before the fight, but I knew what was happening,” Apodaca told TMZ. “I’m just like the sacrificial lamb being thrown in is kind of the thought that people are thinking, which I was like, that’s insane. Nothing points to the fact that I’m just going to go out there a…

Dan Hooker admits that distractions outside the Octagon affected the habits he carried for most of his career.

The veteran lightweight explained that as his profile grew, so did the demands away from fighting. Between his businesses, his own fight show, various deals, travel and meetings, Hooker found it increasingly difficult to maintain the singular focus he once had. He claims he has since regained his focus and is prepared for his upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship main event against Salahdine Parnasse.

Advertisement

Dan Hooker says lost focus affected his recent UFC performances Hooker is set to return to the Octagon on Sept. 5 at UFC Paris against Parnasse. Ahead of the bout, “The Hangman” discussed the impact of not putting his all into competition.

“Obviously, with success and you get to the higher moving up, you get pulled in a million different directions,” Hooker said in a recent interview. “I got my own fight show, you know, you got your own bu…

Justin Gaethje believes he has already accomplished what he set out to do in the fight game.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder recently opened up about his last win and the respect he has earned in the sport. Gaethje is content with his career, irrespective of what happens in the future.

Advertisement

Justin Gaethje explains why losing to Max Holloway made his Ilia Topuria win more meaningful Gaethje emerged victorious in his third attempt at undisputed UFC gold at UFC Freedom 250, where he pulled off a major upset to finish Ilia Topuria and claim the lightweight title. He’s now satisfied with what he’s accomplished.

“I do feel like I have fulfilled my legacy,” Gaethje said in a recent interview.

Gaethje pointed to the respect he has earned from fans as well as the way he has conducted himself throughout his career, in victory and defeat. "The Highlight" credited losing the BMF title to Max Holloway as a key moment in his career, …

Tommy McMillen firmly believes he is the top prospect in the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division.

The undefeated 145-pounder will meet fellow unbeaten prospect Marwan Rahiki at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona, and McMillen believes the matchup is exactly what he wants at this stage of his career.

Advertisement

Tommy McMillen welcomes the Marwan Rahiki matchup at Noche UFC McMillen (11-0) has 10 finishes on his record, with his lone decision win coming in his contract-winning effort on Dana White’s Contender Series. When asked about facing a dangerous prospect in his third UFC outing rather than a less-challenging matchup, McMillen said he welcomes the challenge.

“Yeah, you know I like to fight,” McMillen said in a recent interview. “I want to fight the toughest guys to prove that I'm on a different level.”

Rahiki (9-0) has earned finishes in all nine of his professional victories and, like McMillen, is 2-0 in the UFC. The l…

Glover Teixeira wants to see the bad blood between Alex Pereira and Josh Hokit come to a head inside the Octagon.

Just hours after defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by unanimous decision in an eight-round boxing match at Spaten Fight Night 3 in Sao Paulo, the former champ offered his thoughts on Pereira's future. Teixeira believes Hokit is the ideal next opponent for “Poatan” in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Advertisement

Glover Teixeira wants Alex Pereira to settle his rivalry with Josh Hokit in the UFC When asked about Pereira vs. Hokit, Teixeira laid out his prediction for how the bout will play out.

“Personally, I would love to see him against Hokit,” Teixeira said in an interview with journalist Laerte Viana. “I think this guy speaks a lot of bullsh*t and I believe ‘Poatan’ would knock him out in the first round.”

Teixeira also indicated that Pereira is training regularly and simply waiting for his next assignment. The rivalry between the Brazilia…

Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan are set to headline an Ultimate Fighting Championship card.

The pair will meet at UFC Vegas 122 on Oct. 10 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Allen enters the matchup on a three-fight winning streak, including victories over Edmen Shahbazyan and Marvin Vettori, both of which earned Fight of the Night honors. Meanwhile, Duncan is on a five-fight win streak and hasn’t lost in over two years.

Advertisement

Christian Leroy Duncan gets his first UFC main event against Brendan Allen The matchup gives Allen an opportunity to extend his win streak to four. The American was previously on a seven-fight winning streak before suffering back-to-back decision losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez. This marks his fifth main event in the UFC.

On the other hand, England's Duncan will headline a UFC card for the first time on Oct. 10. The former Cage Warriors middleweight champion is coming off the biggest win of his career, a victo…

Adam Darby predicted his Ultimate Fighting Championship signing eight years ago.

Darby (8-1) took on Patrick Rivera (13-5) in the main event at Week 4 of Dana White’s Contender Series on Sept. 1. Darby masterfully broke Rivera down till referee Kerry Hatley called in the cageside doctor, who saw enough damage to stop the fight midway into the third round. Darby earned a UFC contract for his striking clinic.

Advertisement

Adam Darby fulfills eight-year UFC prediction with DWCS contract Darby had posted a photo on Instagram last week showing a screenshot from the notes app on his phone. He had written down his dream of being a UFC fighter while he was still an amateur in 2018. Darby believes his UFC contract is just a small step towards his final goal of becoming a UFC champion.

Darby wants to kickstart his UFC career as soon as possible, preferably at UFC Paris on Sept. 5.

“This has been in the making for 10 years,” Darby said. “In my notes app on my pho…

Modestino Rodrigues’ hard work and sacrifices paid off on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Rodrigues (8-1) took on Brandon Holmes (6-2) in a middleweight outing in Week 4 of DWCS 2026. Rodrigues took just 15 seconds to drop Holmes and finish him with follow-up shots. However, the stoppage was not without controversy, as referee Chris Tognoni stepped in while Holmes was still conscious and actively defending.

Advertisement

While Dana White called it one of the most controversial stoppages in DWCS history, he saw enough to give Rodrigues an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.Modestino Rodrigues stopped Brandon Holmes in 15 seconds at DWCS Week 4 Rodrigues says he never imagined he would be on the biggest stage in MMA. “The Slanderman” thanks the sport for changing his life and credits sheer hard work for his success. The 22-year-old has been away from his family for nine months to train for his DWCS bout.

“This team, we train so hard. Coaches are always pushi…

Silvestre Sanchez says the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Performance Institute in Mexico is filled with talent.Silvestre Sanchez scores a knockout at DWCS 2026 Week 4 to earn a UFC contract Sanchez (10-1) took on Liam McCracken (8-2) in a lightweight matchup in Week 4 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026. Sanchez and McCracken delivered an instant classic, with both fighters having their moments.

Advertisement

Sanchez ultimately knocked McCracken out cold in the final round with a left hook to earn a UFC contract.Silvestre Sanchez touts Mexico P.I. as home to UFC’s next wave of talent Sanchez is among those training at the Performance Institute in Mexico City. He has finished nine of his 10 career wins and claims that fighters from the Mexico P.I. are always hunting finishes. “Gorilla” promises that the UFC needs to look no further than the Mexico P.I. for fresh talent.

“We train a lot at the P.I. in Mexico and we say that we’re finishing fights,” Sanchez said. …

All five winners once again earned Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts on Week 4, Season 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series.Dana White signs Adam Livingston, Gabriel Lourenco, Silvestre Sanchez, Modestino Rodrigues and Adam DarbyWeek 4 of DWCS 2026 went down on Sept. 1 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Adam Livingston (8-1) and Hunter Smith (8-2) kicked off the action in a lightweight bout. Livingston edged out a split decision victory after a back-and-forth slugfest, earning a UFC contract in his second DWCS appearance after a failed attempt last year. Dana White said that he had no idea who won the fight before the result was announced.

Advertisement

“Great fight. I had it 1-1 going into the last round,” White said. “Me and the matchmakers had no idea who won. Split decision announced. Congratulations, we’re bringing you [Livingston] into the UFC.”

Gabriel Lourenco (8-1) took on Charlie Cleveland (6-2) in a heavyweight matchup on Week 4 of DWCS 2026. Lourenco look…

Bella Mir says her mother was simply overwhelmed following her loss on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Mir (4-1) was a -6000 favorite, the biggest in DWCS history, going into her fight against Alex Apodaca (5-1) on Week 3 of Season 10. However, Apodaca earned a closely contested unanimous decision win over Mir in one of the biggest upsets ever to earn an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Advertisement

Mir’s mother, Jennifer Mir, lashed out at Apodaca and the judges over social media following her daughter’s loss. Jennifer later apologized to everyone while saying that her reaction was in defense of the hate Bella was facing on social media after the loss.Bella Mir says emotions and drinking fueled Jennifer Mir’s reaction to Alex Apodaca loss Addressing her mother’s comments, Bella says that it was just her protective instinct. Bella further jokes that her mother made it slightly easier by diverting all the hate onto herself. “My mom commenting on stuff obv…