Martial Arts News

Khamzat Chimaev is oozing confidence as usual. 

Chimaev dethroned Dricus Du Plessis to win the middlweight title at UFC 319 last year. While some expected it to be close contest, Chimaev dominated Du Plessis for five rounds to earn a unanimous decision win. “Borz” was extremely confident going into his title fight against the South African. Chimaev explains that he doesn’t like to accept fights that he thinks he won’t win. And Chimaev currently believes he can win all potential fights that are on offer. The undefeated Chechen-born doesn’t think it’s a big deal to beat up just one opponent inside the Octagon.

Advertisement

“Honestly, I don’t like to start things where I can’t win,” Chimaev said on the ”Beyond the Win” podcast.. “These fights, I can win. That’s why – I know I can win the fight, I go in excited, happy. It’s only one guy against you. It’s not that big thing to beat him up.” No Fear Chimaev (15-0) puts his title on the line against Sean Stric…

Jiri Prochazka doesn’t mind Magomed Ankalaev being excluded from the light heavyweight title picture. 

Former champion Alex Pereira recently vacated the light heavyweight title and moved up to heavyweight. Pereira is now scheduled to fight Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House on June 14. 

Advertisement

With Pereira out of the picture, many expected Magomed Ankalaev to evidently get a shot at the vacant light heavyweight title. However, despite being the only man to beat Pereira at light heavyweight, Ankalaev has been excluded from the upcoming title fight. Prochazka is now scheduled to fight Carlos Ulberg in the main event at UFC 327 on Aprill 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. ‘Not Just Like That’ Prochazka believes Ankalaev didn’t deserve a shot at the light heavyweight title after his last loss against Pereira. Prochazka believes the former champion has to build his way back into the title picture.

“I think af…

Arman Tsarukyan is making bold claims. 

Tsarukyan was recently asked who would win a fight between him and a prime Khabib Nurmagomedov. Tsarukyan believes he would defeat “The Eagle” via a decision. According to “Ahalkalakets,” he is more well rounded than Nurmagomedov.

Advertisement

Betting on Himself “It’s probably a decision… My skills, I’m more well-rounded than him,” Tsarukyan told influencer Nawid Yosufi.

Nurmagomedov (29-0) is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. Nurmagomedov retired as the undefeated UFC lightweight champion following the demise of his father in 2020. 

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan (23-3) is currently considered one of the best active fighters in the world. Tsarukyan gave a tough contest to Nurmagomedov’s teammate and successor Islam Makhachev in his short notice UFC debut in 2019. While Tsarukyan was scheduled to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title in a rematch last year, he was forced out with an injury…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is going all out for its International Fight Week slate.

The Las Vegas-based promotion recently confirmed that UFC 329 on July 11 will serve as the centerpiece for the festivities. The event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will air on Paramount+. No bouts have been confirmed for the card, but Conor McGregor’s return has been rumored for that date.

Advertisement

A Full Schedule In addition to the main attraction, the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena. Entrants announced thus far include former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, ex-bantamweight king Dominick Cruz and the iconic women’s strawweight clash at UFC 248 between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Also that week, Power Slap will take place on July 10 and Zuffa Boxing will stage a card on July 12 — both at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Fans can enter for a chance to win a UFC Dream Week, which includes ticket…

Darren Till is ready to begin the next chapter of his combat sports career.

In a post on Instagram, the UFC veteran announced that he is parting ways with Misfits Boxing. After exiting the UFC, Till became the Misfits Boxing champion while earning victories over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Anthony Tayler and Darren Stewart.

Advertisement

“I’ve got a very big announcement to make: I’ve parted ways with Misfits on really good terms,” Till said in a video post. “I’m thankful for the 12 months I had with them and the three fights I had [where] I became champion. As I said, on extremely good terms. I’ve got nothing but love for Misfits and the owners and promoters, and all of the people who work behind the scenes.

“It’s time to try my hand in something else.”

Till emerged as a star early in his UFC career thanks to victories over welterweight stalwarts such as Donald Cerrone and Stephen Thompson. After suffering a second-round submission defeat against Tyron Wo…

Renato "Moicano" Carneiro wanted to sucker punch Chael Sonnen as a teenager. 

Sonnen is one of the best trash talkers in the history of MMA. Some of Sonnen’s best moments on the mic came against Brazilian stars Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva and the Nogueira brothers. Carneiro recently revealed that he used to hate Sonnen while growing up. The Brazilian even wanted to attend a UFC event just to sucker punch Sonnen. However, “Money Moicano” now acknowledges the genius of Sonnen on the mic to make a 16-year-old want to sucker punch him.

Advertisement

Understanding the Genius “Two guys that everybody hates in Brazil – Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen,” Carneiro said. “When I was 15 [or] 16, I looked up to Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, all these guys. [Chael] was talking so much s—t about Anderson Silva, Wanderlei, Minotauro that I thought of buying a flight ticket to go to a UFC event just to sucker punch Chael Sonnen. Now I see him and I say, ‘This guy is a f—ing …

Arman Tsarukyan believes a prime Islam Makhachev defeats a prime Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Tsarukyan was recently asked to pick the winner of a potential fight between two of his favorite fighters – Nurmagomedov and Makhachev. Tsarukyan believes Makhachev would beat Nurmagomedov as he is more well-rounded. Tsarukyan also noted that Makhachev would have the added advantage of having Nurmagomedov in his corner. 

Advertisement

A Tough Call “Islam. Because he is more well-rounded. And he has Khabib in his corner,” Tsarukyan said on Adin Ross’ stream.

Lifelong friends and teammates, Nurmagomedov (29-0) and Makhachev (28-1) are two of the greatest fighters to have ever graced the sport. Initially honed by Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, they both reached the pinnacle of the sport. Abdulmanap had correctly predicted that Makhachev would take over the UFC lightweight division after his son, Khabib’s retirement. Khabib retired as the undefeated UFC …

Jiri Prochazka believes fighters should have some ethics inside the Octagon. 

Prochazka recently slammed Jean Silva for a move that he found disrespectful. Silva earned a lopsided unanimous decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324 this past January. With the scorecards evidently leaning towards him, Silva dragged Allen to the mat and jumped off his back in the final round to showboat. Prochazka found Silva’s move disrespectful.  “BJP” believes fighters should work on developing their game instead of wasting precious time styling on their opponents.

Advertisement

‘Fight Better’ “I saw a Brazilian guy who jumped off another opponent's back,” Prochazka said on Adin Ross’ live stream. “It was very disrespectful I think. When you have time for these stupid things, fight better. Fight better, end it, and be the winner, show it. Don’t do these stupid things in the cage. You have to respect the ethic in the cage.”

Disrespectful celebrations are not to be taken…

Renato Carneiro doesn’t want to fight Mauricio Ruffy. 

Carneiro (21-7) took on teammate Chris Duncan at UFC Fight Night 272 on Saturday. “Money Moicano” looked nearly flawless while earning a second-round submission win over Duncan. 

Advertisement

Carneiro has a reputation for calling for “easy money” fights. The Brazilian recently listed Dan Hooker, Paddy Pimblett and Benoit St. Denis as “easy money” opponents. Having just defeated a teammate, Carneiro also briefly joked about a potential booking against another teammate in Mateusz Gamrot. However, Carneiro clarified that he doesn’t want to fight fellow Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy. While Carneiro used to think that he could defeat Ruffy, he believes otherwise since the latter’s latest win.Running Down the List “Dan Hooker — f—-ing easy money. Paddy Pimblett — f—-ing easy money. Benoit St. Denis — f—-ing easy money,” Carneiro said on the post-fight show. “I don’t want anything against Mauricio Ruffy. Becaus…

Virna Jandiroba is willing to wait for a title shot. 

Jandiroba (23-4) dominated Tabatha Ricci on the ground for three rounds to earn a unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night 272 on Saturday. “Carcara” subsequently called for a chance to avenge her title loss against Mackenzie Dern (16-5). 

Advertisement

However, Jandiroba subsequently admitted that former champion Weili Zhang deserves an immediate shot at the title if she returns to strawweight. Jandiroba will be willing to wait for the winner of a potential clash between Zhang and Dern. While Jandiroba wants to avenge her loss against Dern, she also wants to test Zhang before she retires. Jandiroba also predicts that Zhang will dethrone Dern if they fight.Understanding the Pecking Order “It has to be if Weili comes back,” Jandiroba said at the post-fight press conference . “… I know I said some stuff up there, but if Weili is back, then it’s her rightful spot to fight for the title… I think the…

Ilia Topuria didn’t get pestered by a fan texting him 992 times. 

Topuria’s social media team recently informed him that a fan had texted him 992 times, trying to get a response. Topuria made a heartwarming gesture by surprising the fan with a video call.

Advertisement

“This morning the team that runs social media came and told me that a person has written to me 992 times, trying to get me to answer,” Topuria said on YouTube. “That’s Juan Souto. So we’re going to make a video call to see if he answers.”

“How are you Juanito? Team told me today that you had written to me 992 times, and I said, who is this person that we’re going to call and say hello to? I just wanted to greet you and send you a hug.”

Common Rooting Interests Colombia’s Souto is not only a fan of Topuria, but also a fan of the UFC champ’s favorite soccer club Real Madrid.

  “I’m a huge fan of you and Real Madrid,” Souto said on the call. “Just before the fight against Volkanovski, …

Renato Carneiro admittedly has bad blood with Brian Ortega. 

Carneiro scored a dominant stoppage win over American Top Team teammate Chris Duncan at UFC Fight Night 272 on Saturday in Las Vegas. “Money Moicano” subsequently called out Brian Ortega, who handed him his first professional loss in 2017.

Advertisement

“There is one motherf---er that I have bad blood with,” Carneiro said on the post-fight show. “And his name is Brian Ortega. He run the first time, I was beating him the first time. He got me. OK, fair enough. It was my first defeat. But now I want his head. I want to kill this motherf—-r.” Unfinished Business Carneiro (21-7) faced Ortega (16-5) early in his UFC career at UFC 214 in 2017. Carneiro put on an impressive performance, going toe-to-toe against Ortega for the most part. However, as Carniero started showing signs of fatigue in the final round, Ortega caught him in a sneaky guillotine and earned a quick tap, handing the Brazilian his f…