Martial Arts News

Islam Makhachev says he doesn’t always get to fight as frequently as he'd like to.

Makhachev (28-1) puts his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title on the line for the first time against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Russian returns nine months after winning the 170-pound belt and he wants to be more active going forward.

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Islam Makhachev wants quicker UFC turnaround after Ian Garry title fight Makhachev says he wouldn’t mind fighting again this year if he doesn’t have any injuries. While he has been accused of inactivity previously, the Dagestani champion claims that he wants to fight as often as possible. The 34-year-old wants to make the most of the limited time he has left in his career.

Makhachev says that bookings are often delayed due to factors beyond his control.

“It’s not a problem for me if I don’t have any injuries, not cut much weight,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Fam…

Bare Knuckle Boxing has added another second-generation boxer to its growing roster.

The promotion recently announced that Sharif Rahman has signed a multi-fight agreement, bringing the undefeated prospect into the bare-knuckle ranks while still in his prime.

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Sharif Rahman joins BKB after building an undefeated 9-0 boxing record Rahman, 30, is the son of former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman and the brother of professional boxer Hasim Rahman Jr. His father famously stopped Lennox Lewis in 2001 to capture the heavyweight championship.

Known as “C3,” Rahman has compiled an unblemished 9-0 professional boxing record with four knockouts. The Baltimore native, who now resides in Las Vegas, will attempt to carry that unbeaten record into bare-knuckle competition.

“I've carried this family name my whole career and I've never lost,” Rahman said via press release. “Bare-knuckle is a new test, no gloves, no excuses, just pure skill and heart…

Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry have vastly different views on how much authority women should have.

Garry recently faced significant backlash for speaking about his feminine side in an interview. “The Future” admitted to crying while watching Disney movies and feeling more masculine by staying in touch with his feminine side. Garry also said that the world would be a better place with women running it and men simply listening to them.

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Islam Makhachev has hilarious reaction to UFC legend needing wife’s approval to go to Dagestan Makhachev, although in jest, expressed opposite views on women having authority. The Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion invited Demetrious Johnson to Dagestan during a recent interview. When “Mighty Mouse” expressed safety concerns, Makhachev assured him that Dagestan is one of the safest places in the world.

Johnson then said that he would have to consult his wife on the matter. Makhachev laughed in disbeli…

The upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship event has undergone a late change, with Eduardo Henrique stepping in to replace Jose Ochoa at UFC 330.

Ochoa was reportedly forced out due to an injury, leaving Charles Johnson without an opponent days before their bout at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. However, the promotion quickly found a replacement in Henrique, who will now make his UFC debut against Johnson.

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Eduardo Henrique gets UFC debut against Charles Johnson after Jose Ochoa injury Henrique (15-2) will return to action after nearly nine months away. The former Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion last competed in September 2025, earning a decision over An Tuan Ho on Dana White’s Contender Series. However, the victory wasn’t enough for a UFC contract.

The fighter also appeared on Season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter” last year. Now, Henrique has the chance to make his UFC debut as a late replacement in UFC 330.

Johnson (19-9)…

The Professional Fighters League has finalized the lineup for its Aug. 22 event in Tampa, Florida.

PFL Tampa takes place at Benchmark International Arena, with mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg defending the women's featherweight championship against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in what is expected to be her final fight.

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Cris Cyborg vs. Ketlen Vieira tops finalized PFL Tampa lineup Apart from Cyborg’s featherweight title defense, the PFL Tampa lineup also features former PFL lightweight champion Gadzhi Rabadanov (27-5-1) facing promotion newcomer Tracy Reeder (12-5).

Also on the main card, Gustavo Oliveira (13-2) will take on 2025 PFL world tournament champion Marcirley Alves (15-5) at bantamweight, while England's Luke Trainer (10-1), who has a five-fight winning streak, will face undefeated PFL newcomer Roland Dunlap (7-0) at light heavyweight.

Cris Cyborg’s final MMA bout headlines PFL Tampa: Tune in on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m. …

While Mackenzie Dern is a strong, independent woman, she prefers her man running the show.

Dern puts her Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight title on the line against Gillian Robertson in the co-main event of UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Ahead of the event, Dern addressed headliner Ian Garry’s recent comments about women running the world.

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Mackenzie Dern discusses traditional relationships before her UFC 330 title defense Garry recently drew a variety of reactions from fans and fellow fighters for saying that the world would be a better place if women ran everything. However, the UFC women’s strawweight champion disagrees with Garry. Dern says that while women in her family are strong, she comes from a traditional background. Dern likes being protected and cared for by her man, though she wouldn’t hesitate to go to war alongside him if needed.

“I come from a little bit more traditional upbringing,” Dern said at…

Ian Garry believes Islam Makhachev is significantly shorter than he is, despite the minimal height difference at their first face-off.

Garry (17-1) is set to challenge Makhachev (28-1) for the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. At 6-foot-3 tall, Garry officially has a 5-inch height advantage over Makhachev. However, they were nearly eye-to-eye when they faced off for the first time in front of the iconic Rocky statue in Philly.

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Ian Garry addresses lack of height difference in first face-off with Islam Makhachev Garry claims Makhachev was wearing high heels to nullify the height difference. The Irishman is sure that he’ll be significantly taller during the ceremonial weigh-in face-offs, where they both have to wear the same type of shoes.

“He was wearing high heels,” Garry said in an interview with Paramount+. “He was wearing stilettos. Wait till you see Friday night when …

Ian Garry felt like Islam Makhachev didn’t want to be at their first face-off.

Makhachev (28-1) defends his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title against Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Makhachev and Garry recently faced off for the first time in front of the iconic Rocky statue in Philly, where the challenger perceived nerves on the champ’s part.

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Ian Garry on face-off with Islam Makhachev: ‘He didn’t want to be there’ Garry claims to have felt some “nervous energy” from the Dagestani champion. However, he also admitted that it was an unofficial face-off and the one that actually matters is the official one at the ceremonial weigh-ins, after they’ve made weight.

“I just kind of felt like yesterday he didn’t want to be there,” Garry said at UFC 330 media day. “He didn’t want to be at the face-off. I sensed a little bit of nervous energy from him. But they are face-offs; they are fake, they are …

Carlos Prates believes Mauricio Ruffy's loss to Benoit St. Denis doesn’t accurately reflect his teammate's ability.

Ruffy is set to face Arman Tsarukyan next and is currently a sizeable underdog. However, Prates is confident in his countryman and recently addressed his lone defeat in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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Carlos Prates praises former teammate Mauricio Ruffy, claims BSD loss was an outlier Speaking on AgFight's “Direto de Vegas” podcast, Prates recalled being present during fight week for Ruffy's bout with St. Denis. He claims he witnessed circumstances surrounding the loss that he won't publicly discuss.

“I was there the week of the fight with BSD and I saw what happened, but since Ruffy hasn’t talked about it, I’m not going to talk about it either,” Prates said. “I can only guarantee that wasn’t Ruffy in that Octagon.”

Prates says Ruffy’s takedown defense is the best at the Fighting Nerds gym, insisting that if his former team…

Dana White believes many NFL players could find success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship if they transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Yet another former NFL player recently earned a UFC contract. Former New York Jets linebacker Anthony Wint headlined Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026 against Matthew Adams. Wint made quick work of Adams, finishing him with ground-and-pound in just 34 seconds to earn a UFC contract. As Wint refuses to leave Las Vegas until his first UFC fight is booked, White is looking to put him on the UFC Sacramento card on Aug. 22.

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Dana White weighs in on NFL players in the UFC after Anthony Wint wins contract on DWCS White believes a lot of NFL players could have achieved the pinnacle of success in the UFC if they had trained MMA since childhood. The UFC CEO particularly mentioned Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who he’s friends with. White is confident that Crosby could have been a UFC champion if he…

Only one victor didn’t impress Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmakers on Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026.Joseph Kropschot, Tom Pagliarulo, Bilal Hasan and Anthony Wint earn UFC contracts at DWCS 2026 Week 1Joseph Kropschot (9-3) opened the action in a middleweight outing against Jonathan Kunneman (10-1). Kropschot dislocated Kunneman’s elbow with an armbar in the final seconds of the fight. He earned a unanimous decision win after his opponent refused to tap. Kropschot’s intent to finish was enough for White to give him a UFC contract.

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“When he got that armbar, I said, ‘I’m gonna give him a shot.’ 31 years old, he went for the finish. I’m always looking for guys to finish,” White said. “That fight should have been finished… Joseph, you went for it and you swayed me and changed my mind. Congratulations.”

Tom Pagliarulo (11-2) was the second fighter to earn a contract on Week 1. The featherweight prospect finished Anan…

One of Alexandre Pantoja’s coaches is excited about the former champ’s Octagon return.

Nearly eight months after losing his Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title to Joshua Van due to an arm injury in the opening minute of their UFC 323 matchup, Pantoja will have an opportunity to reclaim the belt when the two meet again in the UFC 331 main event on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

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According to American Top Team strength and conditioning coach Everton Oliveira, the injury hasn’t impeded Pantoja's development.Everton Oliveira details Alexandre Pantoja's recovery ahead of returnPantoja was a dominant champion going into his title defense against Van last year. However, after the challenger caught his kick, “The Cannibal” used his forearm as a frame while falling to the canvas. An awkward landing saw Pantoja immediately indicate that his arm was injured, prompting the referee to step in.

“It was an extremely positive surprise th…