Martial Arts News

Brandon Moreno has readjusted his mentality as he looks to snap a two-fight losing skid.

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight titleholder will meet Joseph Morales in the co-headliner of Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona. He recently opened up about changes he’s made in the lead-up to his upcoming bout.

Advertisement

Brandon Moreno explains the mindset change behind his Noche UFC 4 preparation Moreno is coming off back-to-back losses to Tatsuro Taira and Lone’er Kavanagh. “The Assassin Baby” claims working on his mindset has been the biggest change to his preparation this time around.

“It’s more about a perspective of my mentality,” Moreno said in a recent interview. “I think it’s a really common problem in this sport. Like, sometimes you are your worst enemy. I don’t want to put any excuses or whatever. I’ve been working on myself. I’ve been working on my mindset, my mentality.”

Moreno also acknowledged the stakes against Morales…

Dana White’s recent comments suggest Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is on the verge of falling apart.

White has been involved in negotiations, frequently clashing with Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO now says the talks have reached a critical point. This comes after the disagreements on the fight’s location, with Hearn and Joshua pushing for London’s Wembley Stadium while Fury’s side has favored Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Advertisement

Dana White says Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is close to falling through amid the Eddie Hearn dispute After Hearn repeatedly blamed White for stalled negotiations, the latter responded during a recent media scrum.

“I know he wants to think he’s the promoter,” White said in a media scrum captured by iFL TV. “I’ve never seen a guy who is supposed to be the promoter of an event hurt the fight more than this guy has. There is no fight.”

White was then asked whether he’s clo…

Marwan Rahiki is looking to make a statement against Tommy McMillen.

Rahiki recently admitted he was surprised when he was offered the fight, but is grateful to the Ultimate Fighting Championship for giving him a high-profile matchup. He vowed to knock out the fellow unbeaten featherweight prospect and earn a shot at a ranked contender next.

Advertisement

Marwan Rahiki predicts first-round knockout against Tommy McMillen at Noche UFC 4 Ahead of their clash at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, Rahiki (9-0) revealed his initial reaction to the booking against McMillen (11-0).

“I was just a fan. I was like, ‘No way! Like really? Like seriously?’” Rahiki said in a recent interview. “I appreciate that from the UFC. Calling me out for a fight like this, lets me know that they care and they can see the potential of a superstar.”

Rahiki then broke down the matchup, highlighting his advantages over McMillen. “Freaky” foresees an e…

Jake Paul and Logan Paul are teaming up for a new combat sports reality series headed to Hulu and ESPN.

The untitled series is scheduled to begin production in 2027 and will feature competitors across mixed martial arts, boxing and traditional martial arts.

Advertisement

Jake and Logan Paul will coach MMA, boxing and martial arts fighters in the new Hulu and ESPN series According to the official synopsis, the show will divide the fighters into two teams coached by the Paul brothers, with competitors living and training together before facing off in fights that determine who advances.

Unlike traditional reality competitions, the eliminations will not be decided by a vote. Instead, fighters will choose their own opponents, adding a strategic element to the matchups.

“From the hearts and minds of Jake and Logan Paul, this series is a ruthless competition where eliminations are not settled by a vote; they are settled by a fight,” the synopsis reads (via Deadlin…

Dana White says Ilia Topuria is ready to return to action in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Topuria suffered the first defeat of his professional career at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year. Justin Gaethje forced a corner stoppage before the final round of his title clash with Topuria. Despite taking heavy damage in the fight, White has revealed that “El Matador” will return to the Octagon sooner than expected.

Advertisement

Dana White weighs Justin Gaethje rematch and Paddy Pimblett fight for Topuria During his appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” White was asked about Topuria's future after the Georgian-Spaniard recently addressed the defeat on social media.

“Topuria's ready to fight,” White said. “We're ready, we're ready for him.”

The UFC CEO was then asked whether a rematch with Gaethje or a matchup with Paddy Pimblett is more likely for the former two-division champ’s return.

“Yeah, both sound good to me,” White added. “They're both great f…

Rajabali Shaidullaev is set to compete under the Most Valuable Promotions banner in 2027, per reports.

The undefeated featherweight captured the Professional Fighters League title and retained his Rizin championship with a unanimous decision victory over A.J. McKee in the main event of Super Rizin 5.

Advertisement

Rizin and PFL champion Rajabali Shaidullaev is expected to join MVP in 2027 Shaidullaev has already agreed to a two-year deal with MVP, according to Ariel Helwani. The promotion will operate under the MVP name beginning in 2027 following the MVP-PFL merger.

The 25-year-old went the distance for the first time in his career against McKee, having previously finished all of his victories. However, Shaidullaev isn’t finished with Rizin just yet. He is slated to make one final appearance for the Japanese promotion on its New Year’s Eve card, defending his featherweight title against Kyoma Akimoto.

Razhabali Shaydullaev is now …

Dana White claims Terence Crawford might return to the squared circle for the right matchup.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO was recently asked if we could see the retired Crawford compete in Zuffa Boxing someday. White believes that “Bud” will end his retirement if he’s offered certain fights.

Advertisement

Terence Crawford challenges Jaron Ennis as comeback speculation grows Crawford (42-0) announced his retirement in December last year, months after his monumental win over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. He became the undisputed champ across three weight divisions with the win. The undefeated 38-year-old recently teased a return to action, with Jaron “Boots” Ennis (36-0) seemingly in his sights.

White was asked about the same during his recent appearance on the “Night Cap” podcast.

“If I went to Crawford with the right fight, Crawford would fight,” White said.

Crawford recently took to social media to tease a fight with Ennis, marking the first time…

Eddie Alvarez advises against an immediate Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje rematch, claiming the former won’t enter the Octagon as the same fighter who won two-division gold.

Topuria (17-1) was a massive favorite when he put his Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title on the line against Gaethje (28-5) at UFC Freedom 250 this past June. The challenger handed Topuria his first professional loss, forcing a corner stoppage before the final round.

Advertisement

Eddie Alvarez warns against an immediate Ilia Topuria-Justin Gaethje UFC rematch Amidst rumors linking Topuria to an immediate rematch with Gaethje, former UFC lightweight champ Alvarez believes running it back could cost both Topuria and the UFC heavily. Alvarez claims Topuria doesn’t deserve a rematch to begin with, but understands why the UFC wants to put him in a big fight.

However, Alvarez says an immediate rematch would be ill-advised on Topuria’s part, considering Gaethje and his team have al…

Justin Gaethje is campaigning for the Republican Party in the upcoming United States midterm elections.

Gaethje recently took to the podium at the 2026 Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas. The Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder strongly supported Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of voting.

Advertisement

Justin Gaethje urges Republican turnout during speech at Dallas convention He urged Republican supporters to vote with the same fervor as they did in the 2024 presidential election. Gaethje also believes President Trump and the Republican Party want the best for everyone, even their political competitors.

“In fighting, your last fight is how people remember you, but your next fight is the only one that matters,” Gaethje said. “Everybody has to understand how important these elections are and we have to get out and vote. One mistake I've made in my career was becoming complacent while I was on a winning streak and forgetting how unf…

The Professional Fighters League’s next Dubai card is taking shape.

The event, scheduled for Nov. 14 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, will be headlined by a heavyweight title clash between Vadim Nemkov and Sergey Bilostenniy. Two more bouts have now been added to the card, featuring a former Bellator MMA champ and the brother of a former Ultimate Fighting Championship star.

Advertisement

Khasan Magomedsharipov faces Adam Borics on Nov. 14 PFL Dubai card Sergio Pettis (25-8) is set to take on Joji Goto (20-9) in a bantamweight tilt at PFL Dubai. Pettis is coming off a decision loss to Mitchell McKee this past April, which snapped a two-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Goto, who makes his PFL debut, is coming off a first-round submission win over Azizbek Temirov.

Khasan Magomedsharipov (11-0) will look to maintain his perfect record when he takes on Adam Borics (20-4) in a featherweight matchup at PFL Dubai. Khasan is the brother of former UFC standout Zabit Magomed…

Sean Strickland is disappointed with Justin Gaethje for supporting the Republican Party.

Gaethje (28-5) recently took to the stage to support President Donald Trump at the 2026 Republican midterm convention in Dallas. The Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder urged Republican supporters to vote and not get complacent with the 2024 presidential election victory. Gaethje’s appearance at the event has drawn a reaction from Strickland.

Advertisement

Sean Strickland questions Justin Gaethje's MAGA support after GOP convention appearance Strickland (31-7), who was once a staunch supporter of Trump, has recently turned into a critic. The UFC middleweight champion is surprised by Gaethje’s continued support of Trump despite alleged unfulfilled promises.

Strickland accuses Trump of not fulfilling his promises on deportation, new wars, cost of living and government spending. He also mocked Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “dividend” to every adult citizen if t…

Professional Fighters League continues to build its Oct. 16 event in Chicago, which is currently scheduled to be the promotion’s final United States show of the year.

PFL Chicago will be headlined by a women’s flyweight title rematch between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop. Another matchup at 125 pounds has now joined the lineup.

Advertisement

Paulina Wisniewska faces Chelsea Hackett in a key women’s flyweight matchup Sources close to the promotion confirmed to Sherdog that Paulina Wisniewska will face Chelsea Hackett in a bout with potential implications for the women’s flyweight division.

Wisniewska earned her most recent victory during the PFL’s first visit to Chicago this year, stopping Kana Watanabe via technical knockout in the second round. The result marked her fifth victory under the PFL banner.

The Polish fighter has suffered only one loss as a professional, dropping a split decision to fellow rising contender Sabrinna de Sousa in 2025.

A fl…