Martial Arts News

[embedded content] “Problema” wanted to make sure that what he said did not cause a problem.

At the “Battle for the Giants: Brace for Impact” press conference on Thursday, heavyweights Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira took the stage in Washington, D.C., to help sell their upcoming slugfest. The two will throw down atop an event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 19 to define the Professional Fighters League heavyweight champion. During the presser, one comment was potentially misinterpreted by the Brazilian speaking through a translator, sparking controversy from fans and fighters alike.

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Ngannou, who is still recovering from the loss of his 15-month-old son Kobe, mockingly used Ferreira’s nickname of “Problema” to question the Brazilian’s ability inside the cage. Ngannou considered retiring after his son’s passing, but decided to instead honor his memory by competing.

“Everyone is a problem, and he certainly is a problem for some people. But in my …

The Killa Gorrila is back in action 💥

Jared Cannonier weighs in at 184 pounds for tomorrow night's main event! #UFCVegas96 pic.twitter.com/BcusivXvUo

— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2024 Fresh off Dricus Du Plessis' successful title defense, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to ESPN airwaves for a fight between two middleweight contenders.

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The UFC on ESPN 62 main event will see rising prospect Caio Borralho take a significant step up in competition against Jared Cannonier. Both men successfully made weight, as did the rest of the 12 fight card. Also of note on the card are two "The Ultimate Fighter 32" finals in the middleweight and featherweight divisions.

A mainstay at the top of the division, "The Killa Gorilla" will look to bounce back from a recent TKO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov. Cannonier (17-7) had previously picked up wins over Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland. The 40-year-old stepped on the scale weigh…

[embedded content] When given the opportunity, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul did not shy away from a chance to criticize UFC head Dana White.

On Thursday, Paul hosted the press conference for the upcoming Professional Fighters League event titled “Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact.” Paul, who has engaged in repeated back-and-forth exchanges with White over the years, re-ignited his fire towards the Ultimate Fighting Championship brass. Among his grievances towards the UFC include the issue of fighter pay as well as his desire to have boxing matches against active UFC fighters.

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When asked about the winner between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira potentially facing current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Paul said he did not believe White would take the risk of doing so. Currently a rival businessman in the combat sports world, Paul suggested that the leading MMA league does not treat its fans properly.

“I think Dana [White] is scared to…

⚖️ #PFLPlayoffs Featherweight Main Event bout is now official!

Brendan Loughnane: 146 lbsKai Kamaka III: 145.6 lbs

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[ #PFLDC | Fri, Aug 23rd | 10pm ET on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/z9Yqblmp7E — PFL (@PFLMMA) August 22, 2024 The Professional Fighters League playoffs continue with four semifinal fights in the featherweight and welterweight divisions.

Headlining PFL 9 is an anticipated featherweight fight between 2022 champion Brendan Loughnane and Kai Kamaka III. Whoever emerges as the victor in the main event will then go up against the winner between Gabriel Braga and Timur Khizriev. All playoff fighters made weight, including the participants of the welterweight semifinal bouts: Magomed Umalatov vs. Neiman Gracie and Shamil Musaev vs. Murad Ramazanov.

What's not yet clear is the full status of some of the non-playoff fights. Welterweight Mukhamed Berkhamov missed weight for his fight against Ray Cooper III on his…

As the 2024 Professional Fighters League semifinals near conclusion, the company continues to display rising success and new beginnings.

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On Thursday, the PFL will hold its "Battle of the Giants” press conference featuring ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou, PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira, legendary women’s MMA champion Cris Cyborg and two-time PFL queen Larissa Pacheco. YouTube personality turned boxing star Jake Paul will host the proceedings.

With eyes on the present and future, PFL CEO Peter Murray is targeting even more big moves in the months to come.

In an exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Murray opened up about his desire for the PFL to open up new divisions for its regular season format in 2025 and the years to follow. While other promotions in MMA may avoid adding weight classes such as men’s flyweight, Murray believes the division will be a key area of focus for the PFL, and he has a former UFC standout in mind to lead the ch…

Ray Cooper III might not be part of the Professional Fighters League postseason this year, but he is feeling rejuvenated heading into his showcase bout against Muhamed Berkhamov at PFL 9 on Friday.

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That wasn’t necessarily the case in recent months, as he struggle to find motivation after capturing PFL championships in 2019 and 2021.

“I just wasn't excited, from these last couple of flights and from my previous outings in the tournament,” Cooper said during a PFL media day. “Nothing excited excited me [in] PFL. When we first started the playoff, it was [two fights] in [one] night. That's what really excited me to go and show who was really the toughest and I just wasn't excited [anymore. Just from my last fight with Jason Jackson, it just excited me again, and that's not how I perform and that wasn't me.”

Cooper III would like to earn another shot at the former Bellator welterweight champion, but ultimately, the main objective is to find enter…

UFC fighter Casey Kenney was recently arrested on charges of kidnapping and assault in relation to a domestic violence incident last month.

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According to Maricopa County Superior Court records, Kenney is facing a total of six charges — including felony kidnapping and aggravated assault — for an incident that occurred on July 21. Kenney was arrested on Aug. 16 and has since been released from custody. A status conference regarding Kenney’s case is scheduled for Thursday, and a preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 26.

The incident was initially brought to light by the alleged victim’s mother on Instagram. A probable cause statement obtained by MMAFighting.com reveals details regarding the alleged domestic violence incident by stating that Kenney “committed kidnapping, aggravated assault by strangulation and assault against [victim] Jasmine Mendez by repeatedly striking, slapping, biting, headbutting and choking [victim] Jasmine for several hours…”

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum revealed some interesting details about a meeting he had with Jon Jones backstage at ADCC recently.

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“It was really nice to see Jones again,” Werdum said. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked to teach him how I make my happy face.”

The Brazilian heavyweight recalled that he and Jones initially became close when they were both paid to be a VIP presence by local promoters from Russia and the Brazilian state of Goais on separate occasions.

“Both were nice opportunities to know [Jones] as a person, and we had a great time together,” Werdum said. “We even recalled a party we had in Russia and grappling and sparring in a small hotel room we had in Goias where we almost destroyed the room. Two big guys, Wanderlei [Silva] and Rafael Cordeiro. Imagine how crazy it was.”

Werdum revealed that Jones asked his thoughts about Stipe Miocic when they fought for the heavyweight title at UFC 198 in 2016, when W…

Merab Dvalishvili won’t let a cut stand between him the opportunity to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title.

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Dvalishvili challenges Sean O'Malley for the bantamweight title in the main event at UFC 306 on Sept. 14 in a one-of-a-kind card at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The challenger revealed a cut on his left eyelid less than month to go before fight night, immediately raising O’Malley’s concern.

Warning Dvalishvili to not pull out of the fight, the champ wrote on X: “This little f—in rat better not pull out I swear to God.”

This little fuckin rat better not pull out I swear to god. https://t.co/NsuWW0WRWt

— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) August 21, 2024

However, Dvalishvili assured O’Malley and fans that his upcoming Noche UFC fight won’t be jeopardized by the cut. Dvalishvili claims to have never pulled out of a fight, and he certainly won’t let a cut change that going into the biggest matchup …

Proudly representing The Fighting Nerds from Brazil, Caio Borralho (16-1) recently provided a detailed breakdown of his upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship bout.

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Borralho headlines UFC on ESPN 62 against perennial middleweight contender Jared Cannonier (17-7) on Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas. Unbeaten in six UFC outings, the middleweight expects a title shot next if he can finish Cannonier.

Borralho believes Cannonier’s biggest advantage against him will be “The Killa Gorilla’s” experience. Borralho observes that Cannonier is capable of dictating the pace of the fight, slowing it down or picking it up at will. “The Natural” believes Cannonier’s biggest strength is his immense experience of fighting five-rounders, which includes a failed title bid against Israel Adesanya in 2022.

“So, I think one of his biggest advantages is his experience,” Borralho told Shakiel Mahjouri. “He knows how to take the fight where he wants. He likes to […

Jon Jones claims he has nothing left to prove after fighting Stipe Miocic.

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Jones hasn’t fought winning the heavyweight title with a submission win against Ciryl Gane on his return to action after three years at UFC 285 in March 2023. The former light heavyweight champ remains intent on defending his title against Stipe Miocic, a fight that was canceled at UFC 295 after Jones suffered a pectoral injury. That bout has been rumored for UFC 309 in November, although the matchup is yet to be officially announced. Jones has repeatedly hinted at retirement following the Miocic matchup, much to the ire of interim champ Tom Aspinall, who has long been rallying for a title unifier.

Jones recently doubled down on his plans to retire unless the UFC makes him an offer he can’t refuse. A fan recently asked Jones’ opinion on footage of Aspinall wrestling retired rugby player Ugo Monye. Apparently unimpressed by Aspinall, Jones said he remains focused on Miocic, w…

Advances in DNA testing might someday reveal Andreas Gustafsson to be part brown bear.

The Vasteras Fight Club product was one of four hopefuls to secure an Ultimate Fighting Championship during Week 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series, as he mauled Pat Pytlik in close quarters and buried him with a volley of knee strikes to the head in the second round of their welterweight showcase. Pytlik (9-2, 0-1 DWS) bowed out to an accumulation of punishment 3:20 into Round 2.

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Gustafsson (11-2, 1-0 DWCS) crashed into the clinch, showed no regard for his own well-being and systematically dismantled the Canadian with merciless pressure and short-range strikes. Pytlik managed to create some space with his dirty boxing but could not keep the Swedish brute at bay. Gustafsson closed the distance in the middle stanza, chipped away with elbows and ultimately broke his opponent with three knees to the head. Heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev will join Gustafsson on the UFC ro…