Martial Arts News

Islam Makhachev recently doubled down on his accusations against Ilia Topuria. 

A fight between Makhachev (28-1) and Topuria (17-0) is arguably the most anticipated booking by MMA fans right now. With the buildup going on for over a year, the fight was reportedly being targeted to be the main event for the UFC White House card in June. However, Topuria is now scheduled to defend his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje at the White House. 

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Topuria has since claimed that he originally accepted an offer to fight Makhachev at the White House. However, Topuria was allegedly informed that he would fight Gaethje a day before the card was officially announced by the UFC. Topuria recently reiterated his comments at a press conference in Spain. 

Makhachev has now responded to Topuria, accusing the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard of turning down a fight offer. Makhachev claims he accepted an offer to fight Topuria at the Whi…

Dricus Du Plessis has faced some opponents who just refused to go down.

Du Plessis (23-3) lost his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last year. However, it didn’t feel like a fight to Du Plessis, as he was dominated for five straight rounds. Excluding the loss against Chimaev, Du Plessis considers Israel Adesanya the most technically sound opponent he has faced so far. Du Plessis was losing against Adesanya while defending his title in 2024, before he turned things around and submitted “The Last Stylebender.” 

In terms of sheer grit, Du Plessis considers Brad Tavares and Sean Strickland his toughest opponents so far. Du Plessis has won two title fights against Strickland, who is known for defensive striking. Du Plessis notes that while Strickland rolled with his punches, Tavares kept standing despite absorbing some flush shots.

Technical and Tough “Obviously, the Khamzat fight was one that I lost pretty significantly,” Du Plessis told Fight Fore…

Santiago Ponzinibbio never enjoyed the company of Colby Covington. 

Ponzinibbio recently called out Covington for a UFC fight. “The Argentine Dagger” slammed Covington for calling for matchups that are implausible. Ponzinibbio has previously trained with Covington at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Ponzinibbio doubts Covington will accept his callout considering their experience training together.

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“One fight that I would like without a doubt is against Colby Covington,” Ponzinibbio told Hablemos MMA A. “… He is always asking for fights that he knows aren’t gonna happen. We had the opportunity to train together here, at American Top Team. But truth is, he knows that it may not be an easy fight for him. And that’s why he doesn’t want to accept it. But it would be a great fight for me without a doubt.” 

Covington left ATT in 2020 over growing feuds with multiple teammates. Ponzinibbio claims Covington was always selfish, compet…

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.

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“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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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. 

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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.

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‘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. 

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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…