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Julia Budd: PFL 2 Foe Larissa Pacheco More Than Just a Knockout Artist

While she was competing for Bellator MMA, Julia Budd always hoped to be involved in a tournament.

Though that didn’t come to fruition with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Budd will get that opportunity — in a sense, at least — with the Professional Fighters League season format at 145 pounds. It will mark the debut of the weight class in the league after the PFL previously held women’s fights at 155 pounds.

“This is something I always wish Bellator did,” Budd said during a PFL media day. “When I fought for them for seven years and they started doing those tournaments, I thought it would be so cool if they did a female 145 tournament. Now PFL is doing it and I’m here. It just feels like the perfect timing.”

Budd will square off against defending lightweight champion Larissa Pacheco in the PFL 2: 2023 Regular Season headliner on Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN 2 beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.…

Diego Ferreira to Face Michael Johnson at UFC Event on May 20

Diego Ferreira will lock horns with Michael Johnson in a lightweight scrap at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on May 20.

MMA Mania was first to report the booking. The UFC Fight Night event does not yet have a location or headliner.

Ferreira, 38, hasn’t competed since December 2021, when he suffered his third consecutive promotional defeat at the hands of Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night 199. The ex-Legacy Fighting Championship title holder enjoyed his greatest success in the Octagon when he authored a six-bout winning streak from 2016 to 2020 that include triumphs over the likes of Anthony Pettis and Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

Johnson, meanwhile, won two of his three UFC appearances in 2022. Most recently, “The Menace” outpointed Marc Diakiese at UFC on ESPN 42 this past December. Johnson has struggled in recent years overall, going just 2-7 in the promotion before his mini-resurgence last year.

With UFC 288 Looming, Charles Oliveira Coach Hopes to Earn Makhachev Rematch

After relinquishing the lightweight crown to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Charles Oliveira is scheduled to return to the Octagon against Beneil Dariush at UFC 288.

Oliveira’s coach, Diego Lima, likes the matchup.

"That was the fight that made sense for us,” Lima said. “Dariush is coming from an impressive sequence and is a complete fighter. Good everywhere, just like Charles. I have no doubt it's going to be a great war that will not last three rounds.

While the fight with Dariush will be tough, the Chute Boxe leader still dreams about a rematch with Makhachev for Oliveira.

"Sooner or later that fight must happen,” he said. “Unfortunately that was not our night. Everything we planned didn’t work out, but Charles is training harder than ever and evolving everywhere. If that rematch happens, you can bet it will be a different fight. But the level in the UFC is really high. Let´s have one [battle at a time]. Our…

BKFC President David Feldman: Francis Ngannou ‘Asking for Unrealistic Money’

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It doesn’t look like Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will be an option for ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

During a press conference for BKFC 41 on Tuesday, promotion president David Feldman briefly addressed the possibility of signing Ngannou. The topic initially arose when Ben Rothwell was asked about fighting Ngannou under the BKFC banner.

“Francis Ngannou, he’s somebody we’ve certainly reached out to,” Feldman said. “We’ve reached out to him, we’ve reached out to his team, and we just feel like he’s asking for unrealistic money, and we’re not willing to pay that kind of money for him.”

Ngannou was released from his UFC contract at the beginning of the year after failing to come to terms with the Las Vegas-based promotion for a fight with Jon Jones. Ngannou recently said that he is in talks for a boxing match against Deontay Wilder this summer, but thus far nothing has been announced. Ngannou has also rep…

Kayla Harrison Admits She’s ‘Depressed’ Not Taking Part in 2023 PFL Season

Not all that long ago, Kayla Harrison seemed ready to leave the grind of the Professional Fighters League season format in the rearview mirror at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

It appears that sentiment has changed.

Harrison revealed on "The MMA Hour" that she hoped to take part in the PFL’s 2023 season format. The two-time Olympic gold medalist won two PFL championships at 155 pounds before being upset by Larissa Pacheco in the 2022 final. It was Harrison’s first defeat in 16 professional MMA bouts.

“I wanted to be in the season,” Harrison said. “Of course I wanted to be in the season. The second the tournament was over, the second I lost, I wrote down my goals. I was like: ‘145-pound champ. Going to be in the season. Avenge my loss.’ I had all my key areas of focus, and that’s not in the cards for me. That’s not what they want to do. They want me to fight on the pay-per-view.

Harrison added that she has two fights remaining on her cu…

Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Jailton Almeida Elevated to UFC Fight Night Main Event on May 13

A heavyweight showdown between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida is the new main event for UFC Fight Night on May 13.

Previously, a light heavyweight tilt pitting Anthony Smith against Johnny Walker had been slated as the card’s headliner, but the promotion on Tuesday announced Rozenstruik vs. Almeida as the evening’s featured bout. Additionally, Smith informed MMAFighting.com that he was told his fight was getting moved to the co-main event.

𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑽𝒀𝑾𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺 take center stage in Charlotte! 💥@JairRozenstruik and @Malhadinho_UFC will headline May 13th!

[ #UFCCharlotte | Sat. May 13 | @SpectrumCenter ] pic.twitter.com/pLgqkI9zVM

— UFC (@ufc) April 4, 2023

UFC Fight Night takes place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carollina, and is also expected to include a welterweight bout between Ian Garry and Daniel Rodriguez.

Rozenstruik snapped a two-bout skid in his last outing, when he knocked out Ch…

Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira Targeted for UFC 289 on June 10

A welterweight clash pitting Stephen Thompson against Michel Pereira is in the works for UFC 289 on June 10.

The bout was initially reported by MMA Sucka and later confirmed by MMAjunkie.com. Pereira also announced the pairing via Instagram. UFC 289 doesn’t have an official location, but it will reportedly take place in Canada.

A two-time welterweight title challenger, Thompson ended a two-bout skid with an entertaining fourth-round technical knockout victory against Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN 42 on Dec. 3. Since joining the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2012, “Wonderboy” has earned victories over the likes of Robert Whittaker, Jake Ellenberger, Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, Jorge Masvidal, Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal.

Pereira will take a five-bout UFC winning streak into the matchup with Thompson. Most recently, “Demolidor” garnered a split verdict against Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night 206 in May 2022. The 29-year-old Brazilian is 8-2 dur…

UFC Vet George Sotiropoulos Returns for First Time Since 2014 at Hex Fight Series 26

Eleven-time UFC veteran George Sotiropoulos is expected return to professional MMA competition in nearly nine years when he faces Josh Togo at Hex Fight Series 26.

The Australia-based promotion recently announced the lightweight booking. Hex Fight Series 26 takes place on May 26 at the Melbourne Pavilion.

The 45-year-old Sotiropoulos hasn’t fought since Aug. 22, 2014, when he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Mike Ricci at Titan FC 29. The Victoria, Australia, native appeared on Season 6 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and began his UFC tenure with seven consecutive triumphs from 2007 to 2010. He dropped his last four Octagon appearances before being released from the UFC, and he would fight just once more after that. Sotiropoulos owns a 14-7 career mark that includes victories over the likes of Joe Lauzon, Joe Stevenson and George Roop.

Anchored at Australian Top Team, Togo brings a 12-4 mark into the matchup with Sotiropoulos. He last appeare…

Dustin Poirier to Make Desk Analyst Debut at UFC 287

A familiar face will be in a new role on Saturday night at UFC 287.

UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier will make his debut in studio as a desk analyst for the event alongside Michael Eaves and Din Thomas. Poirier’s duties will include breaking down the card on the post-fight show. MMAjunkie.com was first to report news of the UFC 287 broadcast assignments.

A former interim lightweight title holder and a two-time challenger for the undisputed 155-pound strap, Poirier is known as one of the Las Vegas-based promotion’s most reliable action fighters. He last appeared at UFC 281, where he submitted Michael Chandler in the third round of their bout this past November. His resume includes victories over the likes of Conor McGregor (twice), Dan Hooker, Max Holloway (twice), Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis and Jim Miller, among others. His next fight has yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the UFC 287 broadcast team will include Jon Anik on pla…

Vitor Belfort Discusses Special UFC 287 Appearance, Boxing Victory Over ‘Jacare’

On the same week Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya will have their championship rematch at UFC 287, the promotion will gather four middleweight legends for a special fan event backstage at Miami Dade Arena.

Vitor Belfort, who is one of the middleweights scheduled to be in attendance, confirmed the news to Sherdog.com in a recent interview following his victory over Ronaldo Souza at Gamebred Boxing 4.

“I'm very happy and honored to receive that invitation from UFC and be together with Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen on Friday doing a [Q&A] with the fans,” Belfort said.

As for the fight with “Jacare,” Belfort came away impressed with his opponent’s toughness in six-round boxing match.

"I have already beaten up many opponents, but I can tell you for sure: There is no tougher BMF than Ronaldo, and that's why I suggested his name when Roy Jones Jr. refused to fight me,” Belfort said. “I knew I could. There cou…

Michael Chiesa Announces He’s Off UFC 287 Card, Jingliang Li Details Spine Injury

Michael Chiesa is officially off this Saturday’s UFC 287 card.

“The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner announced on "The MMA Hour" that he will not be facing a replacement opponent on Saturday at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida. Original opponent Jingliang Li recently had to withdraw from the event due to a spine injury.

“I’m not going to name names of the guys who were offered who turned it down, because it was a matter of visa issues and some guys not being able to make weight,” Chiesa said. “I’m not that type of guy to go out there and blast, like, ‘So-and-so turned it down.’ Look, I’m a tough out for anybody at 170 pounds, especially if you only have a couple of weeks to prepare.”

Meanwhile, Li elaborated on the injury that forced him out of the welterweight bout in an Instagram post.

“As many of you already know, I injured my spine during fight camp and was forced to withdraw from my fight against Michael Chiesa at UFC 287,” Li wrote. “The i…

Mamed Khalidov-Scott Askham Trilogy Tops Lineup for KSW ‘Colosseum 2’ on June 3

??? ???? ?????! ??? ??????? ?????! ?

?? Mamed Khalidov vs. ?? Scott Askham 3?

XTB #KSWColosseum2 | June 3@PGENarodowy | ?? @eBiletPL pic.twitter.com/sbuDZV0MBE — KSW (@KSW_MMA) April 3, 2023

A trilogy bout between Mamed Khalidov and Scott Askham will serve as the headliner for KSW 83 "Colosseum 2" on June 3.

The promotion announced the middleweight booking on Monday. KSW 83 takes place at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland, and will see Marian Ziolkowski square off against Salahdine Parnasse for lightweight gold in the co-main event. Additionally, popular Polish strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski will meet Artur Szpilka in a featured heavyweight affair.

Askahm defeated Khalidov via unanimous decision in their first meeting at KSW 52 in December 2019, but Khalidov exacted revenge with a flying switch kick knockout 36 seconds into their rematch at KSW 55 in October 2020.

The now 42-year-old Khalidov has fou…

With Loss at UFC 287, Jorge Masvidal Admits ‘This Could Be the Last One’

The stakes will be high for Jorge Masvidal when he faces Gilbert Burns in the UFC 287 co-main event.

With a win, “Gamebred” could be right back in the welterweight title picture — especially given his history with current champion Leon Edwards. A loss, however, could send Masvidal down a completely different path.

“This could be the last one,” Masvidal said on the UFC 287 “Countdown” show. “If I lose, I’m pretty much calling it quits. But a win against Gilbert means that things are headed in the right direction. So if I roll the dice and I do everything right, I’m going for it all. For one title, or many titles.”

Masvidal will be making his first Octagon appearance since dropping a unanimous decision to Colby Covington at UFC 272 in March 2022. Since then, Masvidal’s most significant activity was attacking Covington outside a Miami restaurant shortly after their bout. Masvidal has pleaded not guilty to single counts of aggravated battery and…

UFC Parent Company Endeavor Purchases WWE for New Sports Entertainment Merger

Today, @Endeavor announced it has signed an agreement to form a $21+ billion global live sports and entertainment company made up of @UFC and @WWE. https://t.co/lPrkBmKJXm pic.twitter.com/ZBk95c5exU

— Endeavor (@Endeavor) April 3, 2023

The Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestlling Entertainment are about to be under the same ownership umbrella.

Endeavor, the parent company of the UFC, has purchased WWE and will form a new publicly traded company with the two organizations. As a result of the agreement, Endeavor will own 51% of the new combat sports entertainment company, while WWE shareholders get a 49% stake. CNBC was first to report the sale.

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel will be the chief executive of the new company, while former WWE owner Vince McMahon will serve as executive chairman. Endeavor president Mark Shapiro takes over the same role at the new company; Dana White will remain UFC president and WWE…

Karl Williams Replaces Chris Barnett, Meets Chase Sherman at UFC 287

Karl Williams will replace Chris Barnett and square off against Chase Sherman at UFC 287.

The promotion’s Brazilian site recently confirmed the new heavyweight pairing. UFC 287 takes place on Saturday at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida, and is headlined by a middleweight championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya. Barnett withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons.

Williams extended his winning streak to five in his Octagon debut, as he outpointed Lukasz Brzeski at UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11. Prior to that triumph, the American Top Team Atlanta product earned a UFC deal with a decision win over Jimmy Lawson on Dana White’s Contender Series last September.

Sherman, meanwhile, is 1-5 in his last six UFC appearances. Most recently, “The Vanilla Gorilla” suffered a unanimous decision loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19.

Anthony Pettis Not Done With MMA, ‘Looking Forward’ to Fighting in PFL at Year’s End

While the Professional Fighters League kicked off in earnest in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Anthony Pettis was living out a combat sports dream.

The former UFC and WEC champion, whose initial run with the PFL ended in the 2022 postseason, defeated boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. via majority decision in the Gamebred Boxing 4 main event at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. “Showtime” received two scorecards in his favor — 77-75 and 78-74 — while a third judge saw it 76-76. It was Pettis’ professional boxing debut.

“[I’m] most definitely happy with the performance,” Pettis said at the post-fight press conference. “Roy is a legend. A lot of experience. Even his coaches – he has so much experience out there. I gave up a big size advantage. I think I fought a great fight. My coaches gave me a great game plan and I executed that perfectly.”

With one boxing win under his belt, Pettis is excited to see what the future holds for him in the Sweet Science. One bout…

Linton Vassell Likely Next in Line for Bellator MMA Heavyweight Title Shot

While Daniel James is turning heads in the Bellator heavyweight division with his considerable knockout power, he’ll likely have to wait if a title shot is his main desire.

Promotion head Scott Coker confirmed at the Bellator 293 post-fight press conference that Linton Vassell is likely the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division, which presumably sets up a rematch with reigning champ Ryan Bader at a future event. James, meanwhile, earned his fifth straight professional triumph in the Bellator 293 headliner with a third round stoppage of Marcelo Golm at the Pechanga Casino & Resort in Temecula, California, on Friday night.

“The title shot is most likely going to go to Linton Vassell, because he’s been on a tear or two,” Coker said. ” But I think [James] is right up there. We definitely will invite him to come fight [at Bellator 297] in Chicago.”

Vassell and Bader initially fought for the light heavyweight crown at Bellator 186. Bader …

Brendan Loughnane Leg Kicks Unravel Marlon Moraes in PFL 1 Headliner

Brendan Loughnane began defense of his Professional Fighters League featherweight championship in style.

Behind a steady diet of thudding leg kicks, Loughnane broke down former World Series of Fighting title holder Marlon Moraes en route to a second-round technical knockout victory in the PFL 1: 2023 Regular Season headliner at the Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Englishman brought the show to a close at the 1:11 mark of Round 2, earning his fifth consecutive win in the process.

Loughnane (26-4, 9-1 PFL) had a clear target from the outset of the bout, and he gradually compromised his opponent’s mobility as time progressed. Moraes (23-12-1, 0-2 PFL) was in serious danger late in the first round, when Loughane wobbled him with a right hand before drawing a grimace with yet another low kick. From that point on, it was simply a matter of survival for Moraes. After a conversation with a cageside physician, Moraes elected to co…

2023 PFL 1 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

The 2023 Professional Fighters League Regular Season kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN + and the main card continues on ESPN. Round 1 The PFL is back in full swing this year, kicking off its 2023 Regular Season on the day of pranks and practical jokes. This event is not for the laughs, however, as tournament stakes for the featherweight and light heavyweight divisions are up for grabs for 10 of the 11 matches this evening. The lone bout without points on the line is this one, as 2021 and 2022 season vet Hendricks (9-5, 3-2 PFL) tries to do more than watch from the sidelines. He takes on recent Challenger Series pickup and former welterweight Kasanganay (11-3, 1-0 PFL) at 205 pounds, in hopes that an impressive performance could merit involvement later on down the line this year. Referee Mark Smith draws the charge for the first bout of the night, and with a touch of gloves, we are underway. Hendricks sticks out a jab, and Kasanganay counters a subsequent low kick by ch…

Bellator 293 Salaries: Daniel James ($100K), Cat Zingano ($100K) Top Payroll

𝗛𝗘'𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧! :facepunch::boom:@djames1981 storms out of the gates in round 3 and gets the KO!#Bellator293 | Watch LIVE on @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/3RYahPnsTV

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 1, 2023

Both Daniel James and Cat Zingano took home disclosed six-figure paydays for their victories at Bellator 293 on Friday night.

James pocketed $100,00 for a third-round technical knockout of Marcelo Golm ($50,000) in the evening’s main event at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California. Zingano, meanwhile, also garnered $100,000 for a unanimous decision triumph against Leah McCourt ($40,000) in the Bellator 293 co-headliner. The California State Athletic Commission released salaries from the event to MMAjunkie.com over the weekend.

Other top earners included John Salter ($86,000), who announced his retirement after outpointing Aaron Jeffrey ($60,000) in a featured middleweight affair, and Adam Piccolotti, w…

Scott Coker Hopeful ‘Cyborg’ Returns to Bellator This Year for Title Fight with Zingano

There still seems to be some confusion regarding the state of the women’s featherweight division in Bellator MMA.

After her victory over Leah McCourt in the in the Bellator 293 headliner on Friday night at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif., Zingano indicated that the bout was initially supposed to be for the vacant 145-pound belt. According to Bellator president Scott Coker, that isn’t the case. Cristiane Justino remains the promotion’s featherweight queen, and the hope is to re-sign the Brazilian to a new contract sometime soon. That, in turn, should set the stage for a long-awaited “Cyborg” vs. Zigano title bout.

“I’m not sure what Cat heard because I didn’t talk to her directly, but from the company’s standpoint this was always a three-round elimination fight for the No. 1 contender spot,” Coker said at the Bellator 293 post-fight press conference. “Cris Cyborg is still the current champion, we still have her under contract ri…

Ashizawa Outclasses Tanaka, Karamov Submits Horie at Rizin 41

Ashizawa is in the flow..

[ #RIZIN41 |@FiteTV | Watch the PPV here: https://t.co/1L6w5XNsI4 ] pic.twitter.com/jA97CVAMSu

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) April 1, 2023

Ryusei Ashizawa and Koji Tanaka put on a show in their bantamweight kickboxing clash at Rizin Fighting Federation 41 on Saturday.

“Kouzi” displayed some traditional offense with his punches in the Rizin 41 headliner at Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, keeping the center of the ring for the majority of the bout. In turn, Ashizawa was lighter on the feet and attacked from unorthodox angles, mixing kicks, spinning-back strikes and knees to the body. The pair went toe-to-toe for three rounds, with Ashizawa having plenty of success with his knees, forcing Tanaka to lower his guard and expose himself to his opponent’s punches. Ashizawa’s attacks were particularly effective in the third frame, where he showcased the variety of his striking skills. …

Brick-Fisted Daniel James Rallies to Stop Marcelo Golm in Bellator 293 Main Event

Kill-switch power can erase any deficit, and Daniel James has it.

The Midwest Training Center export moved one step closer to title contention in the Bellator MMA heavyweight division, as he wrecked Marcelo Golm with punches in the third round of their Bellator 293 headliner on Friday at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. James (15-6-1, 3-0 Bellator) tagged the Brazilian’s figurative toe 26 seconds into Round 3.

Golm (10-4, 2-1 Bellator) took charge through two rounds with thudding leg kicks, grinding clinches and a takedown that he managed to pair with positional advances and ground-and-pound. It was not enough to keep his heavy-handed adversary at bay. James rang the American Top Team rep’s bell with a right uppercut early in the third round, then followed it with a left hook and another uppercut. Golm hit the canvas in a dazed state and in no condition to shield himself from further punishment.

Meanwhile, former Ring of Fir…

Bellator 293 ‘Golm vs. James’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live Bellator 293 coverage will begin Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:

Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round: The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Jack Dankoff scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tyler Treese scores the round:Brian Knapp scores …

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