Sean O’Malley Miffed at UFC 306 Venue Getting Top Billing

😬Sean O'Malley is not impressed with the promotion of his fight against Merab Dvalishvili at #UFC 306:

"A little annoyed-ish about the promotion of the'the sphere, the sphere, the show'. I'm the one doing interviews not the sphere, let's promote Sean vs Merab, The Suga Show,… pic.twitter.com/iYTbeehmiV

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 23, 2024

Sean O'Malley believes, as the defending champ in the main event, that he should be the focus of UFC 306 instead of the venue.

O’Malley (18-1) will defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili (17-4) in the UFC 306 headliner, which goes down on Sept. 14 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. The event, which also marks the UFC’s yearly tribute to Mexican Independence Day, is being promoted as the most spectacular venue in combat sports history.

The UFC has also taken the step of partnering with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the board of directors of the General Entertainment Auth…

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2024 PFL Finals Set for Welterweight, Featherweight Brackets

The Professional Fighters League determined its welterweight and featherweight finals during its PFL DC card.

The main event of the nine-fight card saw 2022 featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane take on Kai Kamaka III for a shot at a second PFL finals appearance. Loughnane (29-5) wasted little time to make a statement, using pinpoint punches and some well-placed knees to knock down Kamaka (14-6-1) late in Round 1. "The Fighting Hawaiian" lived up to his nickname, though, not just surviving the barrage but finding plenty of success in the second round. The final frame would see Loughnane outpoint his opponent to secure a split-decision victory with scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 30-27.

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Loughnane will look to earn another million dollars by going up against Timur Khizriev in the featherweight final.Umalatov Outstrikes Gracie Magomed Umalatov booked his way to the welterweight finals by defeating Neiman Gracie. It took mere seconds for fans to realize t…
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PFL 9 2024 Playoffs Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live PFL 9: 2024 Playoffs coverage will begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:

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Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round: Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the…
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Ronda Rousey Issues Apology for 2013 Post of Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theory

pic.twitter.com/JpBZ0R0VKr

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 23, 2024 It took Ronda Rousey over a decade and some recent bad publicity to come out with an apology for her posts about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

In 2013, less than a month removed from the shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six teachers, Rousey reposted a conspiracy theory that claimed the shooting was a hoax while saying the video was an “extremely interesting must watch video.” Although that repost and her follow-up comments have since been deleted, her follow-up response to a comment from notorious MMA troll Bloodstain Lane still exists. She wrote, “Bloodstain Lane thanks, I just figure asking questions and doing research is more patriotic than blindly accepting what you’re told.” At the time, UFC head Dana White defended Rousey’s postings, but she later took most of them down.

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On Tuesday, Rousey conducted an “Ask Me…
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Larissa Pacheco: Cris Cyborg Matchup in Saudi Arabia is Legacy-Building Fight

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Larissa Pacheco is arguably the most accomplished women’s fighter in Professional Fighters League history, even with former Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison having won the PFL’s lightweight title multiple times and owning two wins over the Brazilian.

When Harrison departed the promotion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2024, there was no denying what she had done in her time with the PFL, but Pacheco, who defeated Harrison in their third and most recent meeting, now had a case for her accomplishments with the company.

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Traveling a completely opposite path than Harrison, Pacheco joined the PFL in 2019 after a brief tenure with the UFC from 2014 to 2015 and has built herself quite a long championship résumé. Having lost in the 2019 Championship to Harrison, Pacheco would etch her name in PFL history in 2022 and 2023, where she won both the women’s lightweight and featherweight championships in separate years, becoming th…
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‘Problema’ Ferreira Prepared to Spring Upset Against Francis Ngannou

[embedded content] Renan Ferreira is matched up against arguably the scariest heavyweight in the sport. How has he responded? No “Problema.”

Professional Fighters League heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira will have the biggest opportunity of his career on Oct. 19. In the main attraction of the gala event titled “Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact”, the 6-foot-8 powerhouse will come to blows with former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight beltholder-turned-boxer Francis Ngannou. As a fairly significant betting underdog, Ferreira is not worried about being overlooked heading into their matchup.

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Speaking to the media at Thursday’s press conference, a respectful Ferreira complimented his opponent, but also discussed his self-belief and confidence to accept a bout against the vaunted Ngannou. “Problema” noted how his activity level compared to his opponent could make a difference, and that his power could surprise the heavy-handed Cameroonian.…
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Francis Ngannou Argues Jon Jones Avoided Facing Him

[embedded content] It's a classic case of he said, he said when it comes to who flinched first.

Speaking at the “Battle of the Giants” press conference on Thursday, Francis Ngannou was asked about reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Jon Jones, who won the belt against Ciryl Gane after Ngannou vacated it with his departure to the Professional Fighters League. While some have claimed Ngannou was the reason the two never competed, the Cameroonian thinks it is the other way around, with the current champion at his former promotion the one who opted against a fight between them.

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Since leaving the UFC, the promotion, run by CEO Dana White, has suggested repeatedly that Ngannou didn’t want to face Jones. Ngannou respectfully disagrees.

“Well, I believe that’s the new narrative, because he [White] needs to say something either way,” Ngannou remarked. “But as far as I’m concerned, it was Jon Jones who didn’t want to fight with me according to […

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Renan Ferreira Clears Up ‘Misinterpreted’ Comments Following PFL Press Conference

[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 …

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UFC on ESPN 62 Weigh-in Results: All Fighters Make Weight

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…

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Jake Paul Takes Fire at Dana White, Jon Jones: ‘I Think Dana Is Scared’

[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…

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PFL 9 Weigh-in Results: Featherweight, Welterweight Semifinals Set

⚖️ #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…

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PFL CEO Peter Murray Wants Fresh Talent to Pave Way for New Divisions

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…
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