Martial Arts News

[embedded content]

Bo Nickal recently made some bold claims about a potential clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

Advertisement

Nickal has been touted as a potential foil to Chimaev’s wrestling since he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2023. The former three-time NCAA Division I national champion delivered on those expectations until recently. While Nickal has finished six of his seven pro outings, the Penn State alum eked out a unanimous decision win over Paul Craig in his most recent fight at UFC 309 this past November. In that bout, Nickal was hesitant to engage on the ground against “Bearjew,” who is known for his tricky jiu-jitsu.

Nickal’s latest performance has led to doubts that the 28-year-old will be a match for Chimaev, who is on the brink of receiving a title shot. However, Nickal is confident that he can beat the Chechen-born Swede. According to Nickal, he will be able to win the majority of potential grappling exchanges with Chimaev. Nickal beli…

Movsar Evloev is coming for Ilia Topuria.

Advertisement

The UFC featherweight title picture is in a bit of a fix right now. Topuria won the title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last year and defended it by handing Max Holloway his only career knockout loss at UFC 308. With Holloway considering a permanent move to lightweight, Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev are in the running for title contention next.

However, Topuria has expressed an interest in moving up to lightweight soon, citing a lack of contenders at 145 pounds. Evloev is not bothered by Topuria’s comments, as he is currently focused on becoming world champion — regardless of the opponent he has to face. However, the Russian wants “El Matador” at some point and is willing to chase him across weight classes. But most importantly, Evloev believes Topuria isn’t going to move up before defending his featherweight throne at least once more.

“Ilia start talking that he’s moving up also, …

Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans will settle their old rivalry inside the squared circle.

Advertisement

Jackson and Evans are expected to meet in a boxing bout in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sometime in 2025. The exact date for the fight is yet to be announced. The promotion Influencer Crossover Series made it official on social media for their first event, which is entitled ICS Mania I. Jackson and Evans also both announced the fight via social media.

“Rampage” and Evans starred as rival coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 10 “in 2009. The two met in a non-title main event clash at UFC 114 the following year, where “Suga” emerged victorious via a unanimous decision.

Over the course of career that spanned two decades, Jackson has competed in a number of major promotions, including the UFC — where he captured light heavyweight gold — Bellator MMA and Pride Fighting Championships. “Rampage” hasn’t fought since a knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 2…

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White is joining forces with Mark Zuckerberg.

It was announced on Monday that White — along with Exor CEO John Elkann and technology investor Charlie Songhurst — have been elected to Meta’s board of directors. One of the largest information technology companies in the U.S., Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, among other things.

Advertisement

“Dana, John, and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables and the future of human connection,” said Zuckerberg, who is the founder and CEO of Meta.

White has long been the frontman of the UFC, both when it was previously owned by Zuffa and now under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella. He expressed enthusiasm about his new venture in a release.

“I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social…

The top of the card appears to be in place for UFC Seattle.

Advertisement

A bantamweight clash between Henry Cejudo and Yadong Song has been targeted to headline the card. Verbal agreements are reportedly in place, and the bout is expected to be finalized in the coming days. Multiple outlets confirmed that the fight is in the works following an initial report from Kevin K on X.

Meanwhile, Dominick Cruz will lock horns with Rob Font in the evening’s co-main event at 135 pounds. UFC broadcast partner ESPN was first to report the pairing.

UFC Seattle — also known as UFC Fight Night 252 — takes place on Feb. 22 at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, and also includes a middleweight title between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez as well as a heavyweight scrap between Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev. According to ESPN, the promotion is working on getting Spokane, Washington, native Michael Chiesa on the card.

A former title holder at both …

🚨 UPDATE: Vadim Nemkov now faces Tim Johnson at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday 25th January.

BE THERE! 🎟️ https://t.co/HZ3ZYOEyw7#RoadtoDubai | Sat Jan 25 | Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai, UAE pic.twitter.com/YsjhJSyKpo

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 6, 2025

Advertisement

Vadim Nemkov will remain on the Road to Dubai card after all — he just won’t be fighting against Corey Anderson.

Instead, Nemkov will square off against Tim Johnson in a heavyweight bout on Jan. 25 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new booking was announced via the Bellator MMA social media account on Monday. Road to Dubai is headlined by a lightweight championship tilt pitting Usman Nurmagomedov against Paul Hughes.

Nemkov was originally slated to face Ante Delija at Road to Dubai, but that quickly changed to a trilogy bout between the former Bellator light heavyweight king and Anderson when Delija withdrew from the fight. …

New Year … New AdjustmentsYOU asked for ELBOWS@PFLMMA is giving you elbows!

All elbows. All fights. All the time. #PFLMMA 2025 … COMING

— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) January 6, 2025

Advertisement

It appears that Professional Fighters League will have a significant revision to its rule set for 2025.

In a post on social media, PFL CEO and founder Donn Davis announced that the promotion will allow elbows for all bouts going forward. In previous years, elbows were banned during the PFL season, presumably to avoid cuts and injuries that might prevent competitors from advancing through the format.

“New year….new adjustments,” Davis wrote on Monday. “You asked for elbows, PFL is giving you elbows. All elbows. All fights. All the time.”

It’s currently unclear if Davis’ announcement could coincide with an end to the PFL season format. The organization has yet to announce any PFL events for 2025. Thus far, the only PFL-affiliated …

[embedded content]

Colby Covington is intrigued by the options that might accompany a move up in weight.

Advertisement

The former interim welterweight champion fought for the first time in a year at UFC Tampa, where he lost to Joaquin Buckley via third-round doctor stoppage in the evening’s main event on Dec. 14. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Covington discussed his options going forward, which included moving up or down in weight.

“I don’t see myself ever going to 155, even though I know I could make it and I’d probably be way stronger than the guys on fight night. I’d feel like a bully, and I’m not a bully. I got into MMA because I didn’t like guys bullying me,” Covington said.

“But [185]? Honestly, [185] is intriguing. I think it would be kind of cool to go up there with a narrative of, ‘Oh, this guy is a small ’70, he’s going to go up to ’85 and take on an even bigger challenge.’ There is a possibility. I’m always looking for the biggest an…

[embedded content]

Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) has a special trick up his sleeve for Islam Makhachev (26-1).

Advertisement

Tsarukyan challenges Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. While Tsarukyan has long been the rightful No. 1 contender, he was very particular about having a full camp for his rematch against Makhachev.

Tsarukyan believes he is now totally ready. While “Ahalkalakets” spent a long time working on his physique, he is now focused on preparing specifically for Makhachev as fight night nears. And Tsarukyan claims to have devised a trick that he is certain will work and change the entire course of the fight.

“Back in September I worked on my cardio, my breathing, my strength [and] endurance,” Tsarukyan recently told Red Corner MMA. “But now it’s all about preparing for my opponent – Islam… Of course, I have one trick prepared that I believe in. I know it will work. And it will c…

[embedded content]

Michael Page (22-3) believes Sharabutdin Magomedov (15-0) will already be in a bad state if he tries to land a takedown in their upcoming clash.

Advertisement

Two of the most entertaining strikers in the sport, Page and Magomedov will clash in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 250 on Feb. 1 at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While it’s likely the fight remains on the feet, the dynamic could change if one of the strikers attempts to transition to a wrestling-based approach. “MVP” doubts Magomedov will try to take him down, as he believes the Dagestani is too hard-headed and confident in his own skillset. However, if it comes to that, Page thinks “Shara Bullet” will be in a desperate condition. According to the Brit, Magomedov might be too bloodied up to mount a comeback if and when he shoots for a takedown.

“If he does [shoot], it means the fight is going my way — and aggressively my way,” Page said on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “Becaus…

Chris Gutierrez will square off against Jean Matsumoto in a bantamweight contest at UFC 313.

Both fighters confirmed the pairing on social media following an initial report from Marcel Dorff. UFC 313 takes place on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. A headliner has not been confirmed for the event.

Gutierrez has won two of his last three Octagon appearances. In his lone bout of 2024, “El Guapo” outpointed Quang Le at UFC on ESPN 61 on Aug. 10. The 33-year-old Factory X representative has compiled a 9-3-1 mark during his promotional tenure.

Brazil’s Matsumoto has been victorious in his first 16 professional outings — including two in UFC competition. The Dana White's Contender Series alum went 2-0 in 2024, submitting Dan Argueta at UFC Fight Night 240 before outpointing Brad Katona at UFC Fight Night 245.

A strawweight showdown pitting Yazmin Jauregui against Dione Barbosa is on tap for UFC on ESPN 64.

Both fighters confirmed the pairing on social media following an initial report from Ag.Fight. UFC on ESPN 64 takes place on March 29 at CDMX in Mexico City and also includes a middleweight bout between Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum. A headliner has not been announced for the card.

Jauregui has dropped two of her last three promotional appearances. Most recently, the 25-year-old Tijuana, Mexico, native suffered a first-round submission defeat to Ketlen Souza at UFC 306 this past September.

Barbosa, meanwhile, had a four-bout professional winning streak snapped in her last outing, when she fell to Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 60 this past July.