Martial Arts News

The Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight record books might be padded a little more after this matchup transpires.

Per the UFC on Friday, divisional stalwarts Neil Magny (29-13) and Gunnar Nelson (19-6-1) will throw down at UFC 318. The two were initially booked against one another in 2018, only for a Nelson injury to scrap the pairing. The UFC is putting them back together to face off at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on July 19.

The UFC’s 170-pound leader in total fights (34) and wins (22) among his other accolades is coming into this bout on a rare two-fight skid, his first since 2013. Those losses came in the form of first-round knockouts to Michael Morales and Carlos Prates. Before the setbacks, “The Haitian Sensation” alternated wins and losses for a couple years, beating the likes of Max Griffin and Mike Malott while falling short to top talents Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Nelson too lays claim to a top record in their division, as …

[embedded content] Khamzat Chimaev only has words of praise for Ilia Topuria.

Chimaev and Topuria previously trained together at the AllStars Training Centre in Stockholm, Sweden. The two also competed under the same umbrella of Brave FC in 2019, both serving as prominent prospects worthy of scouting by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “Borz” noted that the dedication that eventually made Topuria a UFC champ was evident in the Georgian-Spaniard even then. Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev on his “Hustle Vlog” on Thursday:

Advertisement

“He already was a top fighter at Brave FC, just like me,” Chimaev remarked. “You could see that he is a hard worker and wants to achieve things. And he achieved everything that you can achieve in this sport.”

The fighter formerly known as “La Leyenda” won the title against Alexander Volkanovski last year and defended it by knocking out Max Holloway for the first time. Topuria has since moved up to lightweight and will challenge Charle…

The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward. I speak and fight. you talk and hide. Run away far, leaving no trace. Ты маленький пацан. https://t.co/kDuhhdIB8t

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) May 15, 2025

Things continue to heat up between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.

Advertisement

Topuria (16-0) recently vacated his featherweight title and moved up to lightweight, rallying for an immediate title fight against Makhachev. Makhachev (27-1) was unwilling to fight Topuria until he proved himself at 155 pounds. Meanwhile, Makhachev was contemplating a move up to welterweight depending on Belal Muhammad’s UFC 315 title fight against Jack Della Maddalena. Maddalena dethroned Muhammad, a friend of Makhachev, clearing the way for the Dagestani to move up.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White subsequently confirmed that Makhachev will fight Maddalena next, while Topuria challenges Charles Oliveira …

Sportsbooks have already chosen a favorite for Dricus Du Plessis’ upcoming title defense against Khamzat Chimaev.

Du Plessis (23-2) puts his middleweight belt on the line against Chimaev (14-0) in the main event at UFC 319 on Aug. 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev has opened as a moderate -190 favorite against the champ, who stands at +150 on the comeback. The odds are a reflection of how Chimaev is perceived, as he gets a title shot just two fights after permanently moving up to middleweight.

Those two wins went a long way in determining the top contender status for the man born in Chechnya. While he had shifted up and down in weight, he made things official in the 185-pound division by taking on an inflated ex-welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Outworking “The Nigerian Nightmare” for the good part of three rounds, he went on to crush the jaw of Robert Whittaker with a face crank to cement his status as an elite 185er. “Borz” has finished six of his eight UFC…

Daniel Cormier reacts to Jon Jones saying he’d beat him at heavyweight:

“I’m retired. I’m done. I’m 46…

Advertisement

How about you fight the dude that’s actually waiting to fight you - Tom Aspinall.” 👀

🎥 @dc_mma #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/eEm5GFrsbt

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 15, 2025

Daniel Cormier challenged Jon Jones to fight the bout everyone knows he should take, instead of ruminating about old rivalries.

Jones (28-1) and Cormier (22-3) shared one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, sharing the Octagon two times. Jones defended his light heavyweight title in a hard-fought unanimous decision against Cormier in 2015. While Jones knocked Cormier out in their rematch in 2017, it was overturned to a no contest due to “Bones” failing a drug test.

However, Jones and Cormier have not settled their feud even after “DC” hung up his gloves in 2020. Jones recently…

🚨BRANDRISK is back on this Friday, May 16th! Be sure to get in on the action on @stake and let us know which fight you’re most excited for in the comments below! 👀 pic.twitter.com/DSybn9ezSD

— Brand Risk Promotions (@BrandRiskPromo) May 12, 2025

Adin Ross’ popular influencer boxing event is back with another card.

Advertisement

Brand Risk Boxing 7, promoted by YouTuber Ross, will go down at the Brand Risk Warehouse in Miami on Saturday.

Rapper Aaquil Brown, also known as “Slim Jxmmi,” will headline the card against TikToker Christian Beatriz, AKA “Oblivion,” in a three-round exhibition match. Flyysoulja and Kodiyakredd, popularly known as the Island Boys, who were originally supposed to headline the card, will now feature in the co-main event.

While no official start time has been announced yet, the card is expected to get underway around 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT (12 a.m. BST) on Saturday. The main event walkouts could begin at a…

The Professional Fighters League has officially put together the second phase of its Global tournament.

On Thursday, the PFL announced via press release all 11 fights that make up the 2025 PFL World Tournament 7 Semifinals event taking place on June 27 in Chicago. Middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights will all hold their semifinals in the Wintrust Arena in the Windy City, along with a trio of alternate bouts and pair of showcases including an exciting tilt at 135 pounds. Two former Bellator MMA champions and ex-training partners will toe the line, as Sergio Pettis (23-7) collides with Raufeon Stots (21-2) in what could be a title eliminator that could face the winner of the bantamweight bracket at year’s end.

Pettis surrendered his 135-pound crown in 2023 to Patrick Mix, who has since left the organization and reportedly signed with the UFC. A rematch with Kyoji Horiguchi, whom he won the belt from in 2021, did not go his way last year. This two-fight…

😧 Gilbert Burns tells how after Khamzat Chimaev fight he started making more money and gained fame which led him to lose focus.

"That took me slowly away of my path, that Durinho that trains really hard, that wants to become a champion."

🎥 @Home_of_Fight pic.twitter.com/TKlxSAkTty

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 14, 2025

Gilbert Burns’ celebrity status following his fight with Khamzat Chimaev may have robbed him of some hunger.

Burns (22-8) came up short in a welterweight championship bid against former teammate Kamaru Usman in 2021. After bouncing back with a win over Stephen Thompson, a still peaking Burns was matched up in a potential title eliminator against Khamzat Chimaev. “Durinho” put on arguably one of the greatest performances of his life in a barnburner, despite dropping a unanimous decision against the undefeated contender.

Burns recently revealed that the hype behind that matchup changed things for him…

Jiri Prochazka has his priorities sorted.

If anyone could turn down an Ultimate Fighting Championship matchup, probably for the title, it had to be Prochazka (31-5). The former light heavyweight champ famously lives by the Bushido code and has an unorthodox persona in general.

Magomedov Ankalaev was looking for an opponent to defend his title at UFC 317 on June 28. But the most logical contender, Alex Pereira, wasn’t ready to fight on such short notice. Prochazka’s manager, Tim Simpson, recently revealed that the UFC had asked if “BJP” could be ready on that date. The UFC considering another option even seemingly led to a slight falling out with “Poatan.”

However, Prochazka chose his upcoming university exams over what was a potential title shot.

“We had one offer for a match, but everything is being postponed because of school,” Prochazka’s coach Matin Karaivanov told Sportz.cz. “Once he finishes it, we will continue negotiations.”

Prochazka is…

😂Dricus Du Plessis reacted on Instagram to the news that Nassourdine Imavov will be the backup fighter for #UFC319

"Guess I’m fighting Nassourdine Imavov."▫️ pic.twitter.com/w85WgKRWqD

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 14, 2025

Dricus Du Plessis took a dig at Khamzat Chimaev’s history of pulling out after a backup was announced for their upcoming matchup.

Du Plessis (23-2) is scheduled to defend his middleweight title against Chimaev (14-0) in the UFC 319 main event on Aug. 16 at United Center in Chicago. Nassourdine Imavov was recently announced as the back-up fighter for the middleweight title clash, which means the French striker has to make weight for an opportunity to step in if either du Plessis or Chimaev pulls out.

Reacting to the announcement, du Plessis said he’s fighting Imavov, reminding Chimaev of his history of pulling out.

“Guess I’m fighting [Imavov,]” du Plessis wrote on his Instagram Stories.

<…

Wow! Real exciting times again in the UFC!

Oh Yes! 🙏☘️

Advertisement

Bravo, Dana White! Never a doubt! @ufc @TKOGrp @bareknucklefc 💰💰💰@tidlsport @ForgedStout 💰💰💰💰@TheMacLife 💰💰💰💰💰 — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 14, 2025

Conor McGregor is teasing an Ultimate Fighting Championship return for the umpteenth time.

McGregor (22-6) seemingly hasn’t given up on his UFC career. UFC CEO Dana White recently made a string of fight announcements that have McGregor excited. Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight title and moved up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will fight for the vacant 155-pound strap at UFC 317 on June 28.

Reacting to these announcements, McGregor teased a return, hinting at returning to the drug testing pool.

“Call that big bu** nurse,” McGregor wrote on his Instagram story. “Wow real exciting times ahead again in the UFC. Let’s get …

[embedded content]

Jake Paul plans to make Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. quit in their upcoming boxing clash.

Advertisement

Paul and Chavez Jr., son of former three-division world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., will trade leather in a Dazn pay-per-view card on June 28 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The two met at a press conference on Wednesday, where Paul promised to prove his doubters wrong and embarrass Chavez.

“I’m going to shock the world once again and prove how good I am, how powerful I am,” Paul said. “This is his toughest fight to date. And I’m going to embarrass him and make him quit like he always does.”

Initially a YouTuber-turned-boxer, Paul started gaining attention when he knocked out former One Championship king Ben Askren in a boxing match. “The Problem Child” has since made a successful business out of fighting and mostly beating legendary boxers and MMA fighters well past their prime. Paul has victories over the likes of Anderson Silva,…