Martial Arts News

Mateusz Rebecki and Myktybek Orolbai were rewarded for painting the canvas red at UFC 308.

Advertisement

Rebecki and Orolbai engaged in a bloody battle in their 160-pound catchweight affair, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, earning “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 apiece. Rebecki landed heavy shots early, causing serious swelling under his opponent’s eye in the opening stanza. Orolbai kept coming, however, even after being dropped and nearly finished in the final stanza. Ultimately, Rebecki emerged with a hard-fought split decision triumph.

Elsewhere, Ilia Topuria padded his bank account with a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus thanks to his third-round knockout of Max Holloway in the featherweight main event. By putting the durable Hawaiian away at the 1:34 mark of Round 3, “El Matador” became the first person to stop Holloway with strikes in his 34-fight professional tenure.

Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev garnered a $50,000 “Performanc…

Francis Ngannou went OFF on Dana White after his recent comments about his fight against Renan Ferreira 😳

"Dana has lost in this situation... and he cannot stand it. Bro I won everything...

Advertisement

I think the problem is he can't handle this loss. I'm sure he's been praying for my… pic.twitter.com/ec1avI8jhE — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 26, 2024

Francis Ngannou recently went off on Dana White in response to the Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO’s recent comments.

Ngannou exited the UFC in January 2023 over failed contract negotiations. “The Predator” had certain demands, including the freedom to compete in boxing simultaneously, health insurance for fighters and other stipulations to which the UFC didn’t agree.

Ngannou joined the Professional Fighters League soon after and was also made the chairman of PFL Africa. Ngannou made his promotional debut against 2023 heavyweight champ Renan Ferreira at PFL “Batt…

[embedded content]

Gleison Tibau believes former foe Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest MMA fighter of all time.

Advertisement

Nurmagomedov faced Tibau in his sophomore Ultimate Fighting Championship outing back in 2012 while the Brazilian was arguably in his prime. A 24-year-old “Eagle” faced one of the toughest tests of his life against Tibau, failing to land a single takedown in 13 attempts. Meanwhile, Tibau landed a takedown on Nurmagomedov and also slightly outstruck him on the feet. However, the undefeated Dagestani prospect went on to earn a controversial unanimous decision win, which many believe should have gone the other way.

Tibau recorded wins over the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Francisco Trinaldo and Jeremy Stephens over the course of a UFC career that spanned more than a decade. He alternated between wins and losses after his setback against Nurmagomedov and parted ways with the promotion in 2018 on the back of a four-fight slump — which included …

Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0) claims his expected UFC Tampa clash against Yadong Song (21-8) is off.

Advertisement

Nurmagomedov was reportedly close to finalizing a headlining clash against Song at UFC Tampa in December. However, the Dagestani recently said that the booking has fallen through as Song is injured.

Nurmagomedov remains adamant on competing in December or at least before Ramadan, which begins in February 2025. Nurmagomedov was initially rallying for a gold bid against Merab Dvalishvili, who dethroned Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 this past September. However, Dvalishvili has consistently downplayed Nurmagomedov’s claim to a title shot and prefers a rematch against “Suga.” The bantamweight champ recently lost his cool during a Q&A session when a fan asked him if he’s scared to face Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov also responded to Dvalishvili while announcing the cancelation of his booking against Yadong.

“I am always ready, and right now I am waiting for…

[embedded content] UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order Now!

Advertisement

The Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title will be on the line when the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi.

Main eventers Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway both successfully made weight during the UFC 308 weigh-ins. As did the rest of the card, which includes a highly-anticipated fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker at middleweight. The event will officially move forward with 13 fights in total.

Topuria (15-0) will put both his undefeated record and featherweight championship on the line. "El Matador" is a perfect 7-0 inside the Octagon and is coming off a stunning knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the belt. The 27-year-old also holds wins over Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Hall. Topuria weighed 145 pounds on the dot for his second pay-per-view main event.

Meanwhile, Holloway (26-7) will be looking to reclaim the belt …

UFC 308 is down to 13 fights.

Advertisement

The Las Vegas-based promotion on Wednesday announced that a bantamweight clash between Said Nurmagomedov and Daniel Santos has been canceled. A specific reason was not given, as a statement revealed that Santos “has been removed” from the fight. Nurmagomedov will not remain on the card against a replacement opponent.

UFC 308 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a featherweight title tilt pitting Ilia Topuria against Max Holloway. The main card airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+ at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The prelims, which were to include Nurmagomedov vs. Santos, begin at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order Now!

After losing his promotional debut, Santos has rebounded to earn back-to-back triumphs over John Castaneda and Johnny Munoz Jr. in UFC competition. Santos also withdrew from a proposed clash against Daniel Marcos last November.

"Three years... three belts" 😮‍💨@TopuriaIlia has big plans for the next three years!#UFC308 | Oct 26, 5PM | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ https://t.co/uXQAMHNTBd pic.twitter.com/h8S8uRAWr4

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 22, 2024

Ilia Topuria took yet another dig at Belal Muhammad while expressing triple champ aspirations.

Advertisement

Topuria is set to defend his featherweight title for the first time against Max Holloway in the main event at UFC 308 this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. “El Matador” recently revealed that his ultimate goal is to become a three-division champ.

“Probably a three-weight world champion, this is my goal,” Topuria recently told TNT Sports. You’re not going to see me in the welterweight division like this, skinny. You’re going to see me different. That’s the goal. Move up to the lightweight division, get that belt, then move up to the welterweight division.”

UFC 308: Topuria vs. …

Sharabutdin Magomedov believes Alex Pereira’s style is nothing extraordinary.

Advertisement

Magomedov’s coach, Gor Azizyan, recently faced some backlash for calling “Shara Bullet” more exciting than Pereira. According to Azizyan, Magomedov has a more versatile striking game than the light heavyweight champ. Azizyan also said that Pereira’s nationality has also played a part in his rapid rise to stardom.

"If we're being fair, Shara is more exciting than Alex Pereira,” Azizyan told Red Corner MMA. “Shara’s striking is more dynamic. Alex Pereira doesn't have that technique — knees, elbows, heels, hands, low kicks, high kicks, and the frequency. Shara can land 60 low kicks, 30 middle and 10 high kicks in one fight… We haven’t seen that from Alex Pereira. He’s closer to America, he’s Brazilian. It’s easy to promote a Brazilian.”

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order Now!

Pereira recently secured his third successful 205-pound title d…

As the backup fighter for the UFC 308 main event, Diego Lopes really wants the original fight to stay intact.

Advertisement

Max Holloway (26-6) challenges Ilia Topuria (15-0) for the featherweight title in the main event at UFC 308 this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Because he is the backup fighter, Lopes could have a shot at the title if he has to step in for someone — but the Brazilian is so excited for the fight that he hopes he doesn’t have to replace anyone. However, if needed, Lopes is in perfect shape and willing to serve his duties as the replacement.

“I’m so excited to watch the fight,” Lopes told MMAjunkie.com. “I hope that Friday morning everything [is] OK. The guys stay healthy for their fight Saturday night… I hope this but if they say they need me, I’m waiting… [My] weight is good, every time I have no problem for the weight.”

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order Now!

Topuria defeated Alexander Volkan…

😳🤒Aleksandar Rakić's coach reveals Rakíc was on antibiotics when he lost to Jiří Procházka at UFC 300 and believes Rakíc is the only fighter that can beat Alex Pereira:

"At UFC 300 he fought Jiří Procházka on antibiotics...second round when he was sitting on stool he told me… pic.twitter.com/mUimzox1qK

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 22, 2024

Advertisement

Aleksandar Rakic coach Babak Nejadmoghaddam claims the Austrian wasn’t his 100% for his last fight.

Rakic suffered a second-round technical knockout loss against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300 this past April. While Rakic had already compromised Prochazka’s movement with leg kicks in the first round, “BJP” came from behind to score the TKO in the second stanza. Nejadmoghaddam revealed that Rakic was on antibiotics going into UFC 300. According to his coach, it was Rakic who said that he couldn’t feel his legs when he returned to his corner in between rounds.

UFC 308: Topuria…

CUNG LE VS ZUFFA IS OVER🚨

LIVE FROM THE COURTHOUSE

Advertisement

Judge Boulware grants preliminary approval in the HISTORIC $375 million Le v ZUFFA antitrust lawsuit

BIG TIME BLOW LANDED BY UFC VETS👊🏼#ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/rROqcAN1hK

— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) October 22, 2024 A Nevada judge has temporarily approved a settlement agreement in the UFC antitrust lawsuit.

On Tuesday, Judge Richard Boulware approved a settlement plan where the UFC agreed to pay $375 million to the plaintiffs to settle the lawsuit, which was initially filed in 2014 by a group of fighters that included the likes of Cung Le and Nate Quarry. The UFC’s former parent company, Zuffa, was initially accused of engaging in a scheme "to acquire and maintain monopsony power in the market for elite professional MMA fighter services” by purchasing rival organizations and limiting earnings by binding fighters to exclusive contracts.

Accordin…

After winning 15 of his last 17 professional bouts, Carlos Leal Miranda will finally achieve his goal of fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Advertisement

The Brazilian will step up on short notice to face Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. What makes the situation more interesting is how someone who hadn’t fought in the UFC and lives in Curitiba, Brazil, was able to accept such a call from the promotion on the week of the fight. The foundation for the move was laid in August 2023.

After losing to Sadibou Sy via decision in a second consecutive Professional Fighters League semifinal, Leal decided that it was time to leave PFL and try to achieve his goal of fighting in UFC.

“When I entered the PFL my goal was to be a champion. In the first season I got really close and decided to try once again. When I lost the second time, me and my team decided it was time to leave,” Leal said.

While things didn’t work out as planned in …