Martial Arts News

Conor McGregor has always packed plenty of punch in his left hand. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Sean O'Malley predicts that the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner will end quickly.

Conor McGregor (22-6) returns after a five-year hiatus to run it back with Max Holloway (27-9) in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11. While O’Malley’s heart is siding with McGregor, he sees a path to victory for Holloway as well.

Advertisement

Sean O’Malley predicts McGregor’s path to victory at UFC 329 O’Malley is confident McGregor will land his signature left hand early. However, “Suga” isn’t sure if the Irish superstar’s left hand will be enough to knock out Holloway at welterweight, as “Blessed” will barely be cutting any weight.

“My heart’s telling me, Conor McGregor. My mind’s telling me Max Holloway goes in there, maybe gets cracked early, but at 170 I don’t know if he’s gonna be able to get put away,” O’Malley said …

Former UFC middleweight king Robert Whittaker has committed to a permanent move to 205. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Robert Whittaker acknowledges the “risk and threat” of moving up to light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ahead of his fight with Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Whittaker reflected on how power is among the most important factors in the light heavyweight division, regardless of individual skill level.

Advertisement

Robert Whittaker breaks down the dangers of light heavyweight move Whittaker, who has committed to a permanent move up to the light heavyweight division, spoke about the challenging aspects of the move ahead of UFC 329. The Australian highlighted that power is the equalizer and that, irrespective of technical ability, almost all strikes absorbed at 205 pounds will be damaging.

“You see, power is the ultimate equaliser, and I understand that,” the former UFC middleweig…

Paddy Pimblett took issue with the lightweight title case of Arman Tsarukyan (pictured). | 📷: Getty/UFC

Paddy Pimblett doesn't believe Arman Tsarukyan has done enough to deserve a title shot.

Pimblett recently criticized Tsarukyan's inactivity in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and urged him to stop “tickling people" in wrestling matches if he wants to stay relevant.

Advertisement

Paddy Pimblett discusses Arman Tsarukyan’s lightweight title hopes Ahead of his upcoming fight in the co-main event of UFC 329 against Benoit St. Denis, Pimblett scoffed at the suggestion that Tsarukyan should be considered next for a title shot.

“He needs to fight,” Pimblett said at UFC 329 media day when asked about Tsarukyan. “He’s had like one fight in three years, and he beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in a singlet tickling people.”

Tsarukyan has competed in multiple RAF wrestling events lately, with his last appearance in …

King Green feels his opponent took the fight due to a perceived advantage. | 📷: Getty/UFC

King Green initially wasn’t keen on fighting Terrance McKinney.

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweights Green and McKinney are set to collide at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The former recently revealed that he was with the latter a week before the booking came together and was surprised to find that “T.Wrecks” accepted the fight.

Advertisement

King Green details how Terrance McKinney fight came to fruition Green considers McKinney a “homie,” which is why he was surprised at the matchup. Paying heed to Nate Diaz’s advice, the 39-year-old didn’t want to fight someone he considers a friend. However, despite Green conveying the same to McKinney, the rising 155-pounder’s acceptance of the fight contract has seemingly offended the UFC veteran.

“Terrance McKinney was supposed to be my homie. I was hanging out with Terrance a week before w…

Elisha Ellison will face a monumental challenge at UFC 329 as a historic underdog. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Elisha Ellison isn’t intimidated by the hype behind Gable Steveson.

Steveson will make his highly anticipated Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Ellison at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Olympian is a -2500 favorite on some sportsbooks going into his UFC debut. The underdog, however, sees this as an opportunity to make a name for himself.

Advertisement

Elisha Ellison reacts to Gable Steveson's training with Jon Jones Ellison believes the 2021 Tokyo Olympics wrestling gold medalist is still inexperienced for a promotion like the UFC. While he isn’t underestimating Steveson, he believes he can shock the MMA world with a massive upset at UFC 329.

“Anybody coming in, especially to a big promotion in the UFC, 3-0, you would be a fool not to call him green. It doesn’t mean I’m writing him off,” Ellison said at UFC 329 med…

It seems the McGregor-Nurmagomedov beef lives on years after it was settled in the cage. | 📷: Getty/UFC

There’s still no love lost between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

McGregor refused to include Nurmagomedov while recently listing his greatest fighters of all time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. According to the former two-division champion, his bitter rival has barely built a legacy across his 13 UFC fights. He believes only three of the unbeaten Russian’s opponents were well-known.

Advertisement

Conor McGregor slams Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy While McGregor suffered a submission loss to Nurmagomedov back in 2018, the Dubliner claims he wasn’t in his best shape. He says he was doing “bad things” while partying on his yacht before fighting the then-lightweight champion.

“That guy’s done nothing in the sport. 13 fights he’s had in the company, that’s it. And three against named opponents. I was off the yacht [when I fought him]…

Islam Makhachev (top) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (bottom) each have a case for UFC GOAT. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Conor McGregor doesn’t harbor any ill will towards Islam Makhachev.

McGregor recently listed his greatest fighters of all time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He ranked himself as the greatest while slamming the legacy of Makhachev’s friend and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, the former two-division champion had nothing bad to say about Makhachev.

Advertisement

Why Conor McGregor ranks Islam Makhachev ahead of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier McGregor believes Makhachev ranks above Nurmagomedov on the GOAT list. He argues that Makhachev not only has titles in two weight classes, but also more finishes in the UFC than “The Eagle.” The Irishman has him above Daniel Cormier as well.

While some believe Makhachev is nearing retirement, McGregor believes the UFC welterweight champion has a lot left in him.

“He’s above Khabib. Fi…

Nikita Krylov would like to be the wrench in a former’s champ’s plans at 205 pounds. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Nikita Krylov wants to play spoiler for Robert Whittaker’s light heavyweight move.

Whittaker (26-9) is set to make his light heavyweight debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship against Krylov (31-11) at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Advertisement

Krylov believes Whittaker envisions a light heavyweight move like Alex Pereira, who went on to win the title at 205 pounds. However, the Ukrainian-born Russian fighter has claimed that the former middleweight champion’s move up is more likely to end up like Israel Adesanya's or Chris Weidman’s.Nikita Krylov says Robert Whittaker's light heavyweight move mirrors Israel Adesanya Adesanya only fought once at light heavyweight, losing his title bid to then-champion Jan Blachowicz in 2021. Weidman had also moved back to middleweight after being thwarted at light heavyweight by D…

Max Holloway believes the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner is the perfect opportunity to remind fans why he remains one of the sport's biggest stars.

In a recent interview ahead of his rematch with Conor McGregor, Holloway claimed that his goal is to deliver a memorable performance for fans and leave behind an enduring impact on the sport.

Advertisement

Max Holloway explains why UFC 329 is a chance to build his legacy against Conor McGregor Holloway and McGregor will collide at UFC 329, slated for Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Blessed” lost to the Irishman 13 years ago and sees the rematch as the ideal platform not only to settle the score, but also to return to the win column and add to his legacy.

“All you have to do is win in this sport and win excitingly,” the Hawaiian said ahead of the fight. “I’m going out there… I’m going to put on a show. We are in the entertainment business… We are prize-fighters.”

The former f…

Jose Aldo's longtime coach, Andre Pederneiras, recently broke down the upcoming main event in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Pederneiras expects the UFC 329 headliner between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway to stay on the feet. He refused to pick sides when he spoke to Sherdog, asserting that the only bet he’s willing to make is that it’ll remain a striking affair.

Advertisement

Andre Pederneiras breaks down Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 McGregor and Holloway will run it back 13 years after their initial clash on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Aldo’s coach, who has previously game-planned for both of UFC 329’s headliners, foresees the Irish superstar having the edge early, with his Hawaiian counterpart taking over later if the fight goes that long.

“In my opinion, Conor starts with the advantage, largely due to his knockout power. There was a belief that Holloway has a granite chin and never gets knocked out, but Topuria proved othe…

While the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship event doesn’t have any title bouts, the fight card is loaded with pivotal and closely contested matchups.

UFC 329 features a mix of fan-favorites, veterans, established contenders and rising prospects. It will be headlined by the return of Conor McGregor against Max Holloway, a rematch 13 years in the making.

Advertisement

Paddy Pimblett, Benoit St. Denis, Cory Sandhagen, Mario Bautista, Brandon Royval, King Green and Terrance McKinney are among those also set to grace the Octagon on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.Max Holloway and Benoit St. Denis enter UFC 329 as betting favorites Main Card: Conor McGregor (+192) vs. Max Holloway (-227): Despite losing to McGregor 13 years ago, Holloway is the betting favorite, likely owing to his Irish counterpart’s five-year hiatus from competition. Benoit St. Denis (-135) vs. Paddy Pimblett (+115): St. Denis, who’s on a four-fight streak of finishes, is a sl…

Tracy Cortez is looking to “make a statement” in her upcoming fight against Cong Wang.

Ahead of their clash in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s next numbered event, the 32-year-old UFC flyweight revealed that she has been training harder than ever and plans to show a more aggressive side inside the Octagon at UFC 329, where she’ll square off with Wang on the prelims.

Advertisement

Tracy Cortez done playing it safe—and Cong Wang is next Cortez talked with Stake ahead of her fight against Wang, asserting that she plans to dominate the fight, not just win it.

“I'm definitely training extremely hard to make a statement. Extremely hard,” Cortez said. “I know putting on a great performance in this fight could mean that with two more fights I could be next for that belt. Not just winning but dominating. And I'm going in there to dominate. Like I'm going in there to hurt these girls from here on out. I'm not just going to try to play it safe and, you know, wait til…