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Colby Covington Plans to ‘Drown’ Joaquin Buckley in UFC Tampa Headliner

Colby Covington says he’s going to “break” and “drown” Joaquin Buckley 😳

“He’s never been in a 5 round fight with an elite fighter like me… Saturday night I’m gonna drown this guy.”

🎥 @ufc #UFC #MMA #UFCTampapic.twitter.com/AEus9Gs3Zf — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 11, 2024

Colby Covington plans to take the soul out of Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa.

Covington and Buckley will headline UFC on ESPN 63 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Saturday. While Buckley is on an impressive winning streak, Covington believes “New Mansa” hasn’t fought anyone of his caliber in a five-round affair. “Chaos” claims to be in his prime, unlike the opponents Buckley has faced in the recent past.

Covington plans on taking Buckley into deep waters and drowning him on Saturday night.

“The fight just looks like me just completely breaking him,” Covington said in an interview with the UFC. “Taking him down, tak…

Dustin Poirier, Paddy Pimblett, Renato ‘Moicano,’ React to Ilia Topuria’s LW Plans

Ilia Topuria has attracted a lot of eyeballs at lightweight after announcing his plans to move up.

Topuria won the featherweight title with a vicious knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. The Spaniard then defended his throne by knocking out Max Holloway for the first time in his career at UFC 308 in October. While Diego Lopes was expecting the next title shot against Topuria, “El Matador” recently announced that we might have seen the last of him 145 pounds. The 27-year-old featherweight king, who is also the youngest champion in the promotion, plans to move up to lightweight and retire by 30. With lightweight champ Islam Makhachev already booked to defend his throne against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Topuria is plotting a matchup against former champ Charles Oliveira in April or May.

Topuria’s lightweight plans have garnered a lot of attention from elite lightweight contenders. Perennially ranked Dust…

Jan Blachowicz Returns, Faces Carlos Ulberg at UFC London on March 22

Your first bouts for #UFCLondon are signed!

🇵🇱 Jan Blachowicz vs Carlos Ulberg 🇳🇿🇵🇱 Marcin Tybura vs Mick Parkin 🇬🇧

🎟️ Get early access to tickets: https://t.co/slZM2gosSA pic.twitter.com/aYyqHyYs2e — UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 10, 2024

Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz will return to action against the streaking Carlos Ulberg at UFC London on March 22.

Additionally, Marcin Tybura will lock horns with Mick Parkin in a heavyweight clash on the same card. The promotion announced both bouts on Tuesday. A main event has not been confirmed for UFC London, which takes place at the O2 Arena.

Blachowicz will be competing for the first time since July 2023, when he fell to Alex -Pereira-224511">Alex Pereira via split decision at UFC 291. The Polish veteran was slated to face Aleksandar Rakic in a rematch at UFC 297 in January, but a shoulder injury that required two separate surgeries forced him t…

Dricus Du Plessis Preferred Khamzat Chimaev Over Sean Strickland for Next Title Defense

If Dricus Du Plessis had gotten his way, he would have been defending his middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 312.

Over the weekend, it was announced that Du Plessis would face Sean Strickland in a championship rematch on Feb. 8 in Sydney, Australia. Du Plessis claimed the 185-pound belt with a split-decision triumph over Strickland at UFC 297 this past January.

“Just for clarification I preferred the Khamzat fight but the rematch is a fight most wanted before Khamzat vs Whittaker,” Du Plessis wrote on social media. “I’m not unhappy with the UFC’s decision. Like I said, I’ll fight the man fans think is the next best guy. He was promised the fight, so Strickland it is.”

Just for clarification I preferred the Khamzat fight but the rematch is a fight most wanted before Khamzat vs Withaker. I’m not unhappy with the UFC’s decision like I said I’ll fight the man fans think is the next best guy he was promised the …

Dricus Du Plessis Preferred Chimaev Over Strickland Rematch for Next Title Defense

If Dricus Du Plessis had gotten his way, he would have been defending his middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 312.

UFC 312 Update: Heavyweights Justin Tafa, Tallison Teixeira to Meet in Sydney

A heavyweight tilt pitting Justin Tafa against Tallison Teixeira has been added to the UFC 312 lineup.

The Las Vegas-based promotion recently announced the booking. UFC 312 takes place on Feb. 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, and is headlined by a middleweight title rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.

Tafa fought just once in 2024, dropping a unanimous decision to Karl Williams at UFC on ESPN 53 in March. That ended a four-bout unbeaten streak for the 30-year-old Aussie, who scored knockout wins over Austen Lane, Parker Porter and Harry Hunsucker during that run.

Teixeira was supposed to make his Octagon debut against Lukasz Brzeseki at UFC 310 but was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury. The 6-foot-7 Brazilian owns a 7-0 mark as a professional, including a first-round knockout of Arthur Lopes on Dana White's Contender Series this past September.

Robert Whittaker Expects Similar Outcome in Du Plessis-Strickland Rematch

Robert Whittaker believes Dricus du Plessis will beat Sean Strickland in their rematch at #UFC312

He also favors Khamzat Chimaev in a fight against either of them:

“Stopping that first takedown is so crazy… how do you stop that?”

🎥 @MMArcadePodcastpic.twitter.com/aBPpEHlvNE

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2024

Robert Whittaker doesn’t see anyone stopping Khamzat Chimaev’s takedowns.

Chimaev submitted “Bobby Knuckles” in the first round of their UFC 308 co-main event clash at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this past October. While the matchup was expected to be a title eliminator, former champ Sean Strickland received the next title shot against Dricus Du Plessis, as was promised by UFC CEO Dana White.

Strickland lost his title via controversial split decision against Du Plessis at UFC 297 this past January in Canada. “Tarzan” bounced back with a split-decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June and has …

Gilbert Burns Praises Jamahal Hill’s ‘Marketing Strategy’ for Alex Pereira Rematch

Alex Pereira just threw a pair of gloves at Jamahal Hill and wanted to fight him 😳😳😳

🎥 @full_send_mma #UFC #MMA

pic.twitter.com/creDmXLPWS — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 5, 2024

Gilbert Burns recently had an interesting conversation with Jamahal Hill.

After the confrontation between Hill and Alex Pereira made the rounds on social media, Burns was helping teammate Vicente Luque with his weight cut at the UFC Performance Institute when “Sweet Dreams” made an appearance. On his YouTube channel, Burns revealed what Hill told him.

"When the food has been in the pan for a long time and it will become hard, you have to add water to cook it. That's what I did,” Burns said, relaying Hill’s words. “I’m going to beat Jiri [Prochazka] and get my revenge before [Magomed] Ankalaev, who will be [observing] Ramadan. I don't care what people think, everyone's talking about me after that.

Burns also praised the wa…

UFC 310 Changed Ian Garry’s Perspective on Muhammad-Rakhmonov Title Bout

Ian Garry has a changed opinion of Shavkat Rakhmonov after their fight at UFC 310.

Garry took on Rakhmonov in a clash of undefeated welterweight contenders in the co-headliner at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Rakhmonov was a -400 favorite on some sportsbooks going into the fight, he faced the toughest test of his career against “The Future.” While the Kazakh roped in a unanimous decision win, he had to go the distance for the first time in 19 career outings.

Rakhmonov was originally scheduled to challenge Belal Muhammad for the title at UFC 310 before the champ was forced out with an injury. “Nomad” is now most likely to get a title shot next after his win over Garry. Garry initially thought Rakhmonov would get the better of Muhammad in a potential fight before trading leather with the Kazakh. However, the Irishman now believes Muhammad can beat Rakhmonov provided “Remember the Name” doesn’t compromise his defense.

…

Ilia Topuria Reveals Plans to Move Up to Lightweight, Retire by Age 30

Ilia Topuria doesn’t want to drag out his MMA career.

Topuria recently shared some significant career plans during an interview on the Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE. The UFC featherweight champ firstly revealed that he is most likely done with the 145-pound division. Topuria also confirmed that he plans to move up to lightweight.

Ilia Topuria says he's moving up to lightweight 😳

Interviewer: "Is it possible that we have already seen your last featherweight fight?"

Ilia: "Yes, for sure."

Interviewer: "You are moving to lightweight"

*Ilia nods*

(via. @partidazocope)pic.twitter.com/1i5V4PIb79

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2024

Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev puts his belt on the line against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. The winner of that fight is unlikely to return by April or May, which is Topuria’s preferred timel…

Dana White Optimistic About Future of UFC-Japan Relationship

Dana White exited #UFC310 with RIZIN president Nobiyuki Sakakibara pic.twitter.com/GFvOvfiDsT

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 8, 2024

Though UFC 310 wasn’t a cross-promoted event, there were some elements that gave Saturday’s card a little bit of a different feel.

That started with the main event, where former Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion Kai Asakura was given a flyweight title shot against Alexandre Pantoja in his Octagon debut. Though Asakura had his moments in the early going, he ultimately succumbed to a rear-naked choke from his Brazilian opponent at the 2:05 mark of the second round. There’s no shame in coming up short against Pantoja, who is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport today. UFC CEO Dana White came away impressed with what he saw from Japan Top Team representative in limited action.

“There are two sides to this story. You take a guy like Asakura, who came into the…

Ciryl Gane Shares X-Ray of Foot Injury Suffered at UFC 310

Ciryl Gane shows an X-ray of his foot injury after the Alexander Volkov fight 😳

“It wasn't just my toe, but also both metatarsals that gave way at the start of the first round. Needless to say, there was no foot left, but we didn't give up and fought with them.”

📸 @ciryl_gane… pic.twitter.com/wpqatZ9b0K — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2024

As he indicated after the bout, Ciryl Gane was hindered early on in his rematch against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310.

Gane revealed in a social media post on Monday the extent of the injuries he suffered on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In addition to a broken toe, “Bon Gamin” also apparently injured two metatarsals in his foot. The Frenchman told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview that the toes were broken in the opening stanza.

“It wasn’t only the big toe but also the two metatarsals that gave out on me at the beginning of the first round,”…

Alex Pereira Believes Experience Gives Jon Jones Edge Against Tom Aspinall

👀Alex Pereira believes Jon Jones will beat Tom Aspinall if they fight:

“Some people say Aspinall this, Aspinall that but it comes down to experience. Jon Jones is a seasoned guy, he’s been there so I think he wins”

🎥@tntsports 🔹 pic.twitter.com/r9Um4slfvt — Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 8, 2024

Alex Pereira believes Jon Jones can get the better of Tom Aspinall.

Jones returned to action after a three-year hiatus and made quick work of Ciryl Gane to win the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March 2023. He was then scheduled to defend his throne against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November 2023 but was forced out with an injury.

Aspinall went to beat Sergei Pavlovich via knockout in a short-notice interim title fight on the same card. However, Jones remained adamant on preserving his matchup against Miocic, whom he beat via a spinning back kick knockout at UFC 309 last month. Meanwhile, Aspinall d…

Ren Hiramoto Calls for UFC Deal, Vows to ‘Carry on the Will’ of Conor McGregor

Hey danaI am the man who will carry on the will of the great Conor McGregorI'm going to be UFC championKai Asakura, for example, is a champion who can only fight 3 rounds.I am the first Rizin champion to fight 5 rounds.I'm going to make the UFC great!@danawhite pic.twitter.com/xluCy56ZO7

— 平本蓮 REN HIRAMOTO (@renhiramotoXX) December 8, 2024

Japanese star Ren Hiramoto is rallying for an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Hiramoto recently urged UFC CEO Dana White to give him a contract, vowing to be the next superstar of the promotion. The runner-up in the 2017 K-1 lightweight tournament, Hiramoto is currently competing in the Rizin Fighting Federation featherweight division. The 26-year-old is 4-3 as a pro with one finish to his name.

Hiramoto recently called for a UFC deal while dismissing recently-signed UFC fighter Kai Asakura, who was given an immediate title shot against flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja …

Merab Dvalishvili: Fan Altercation at UFC 310 Was Set Up By Umar Nurmagomedov

Merab got into ANOTHER altercation with a fan after Aljamain Sterling lost to Mosvar Evloev. 👀 #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/MBeKMmvQkZ

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) December 8, 2024

Merab Dvalishvili believes his altercation with a fan was orchestrated by future opponent Umar Nurmagomedov and his team.

Dvalishvili was in attendance at UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “The Machine” cornered his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, who dropped a decision against Movsar Evloev on the preliminary card.

Dvalishvili got into an altercation with a fan as he was walking backstage with Sterling after the fight. Footage shows the fan initially grabbing Dvalishvili by the arm while recording him. Dvalishvili’s teammate, Dennis Buzukja, was later seen throwing punches at the fan while security restrained Dvalishvili. This isn’t the first time that Dvalishvili has been involved in this type of incident, as…

Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry Expect to Meet Again After Close Fight at UFC 310

While Shavkat Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night, his ability to prevail in that type of fight means big things could be on the horizon for the Kazakhstan native.

Rakhmonov took a closely contested unanimous verdict over Ian Garry in the UFC 310 co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. “Nomad” had finished his first 18 opponents, but getting the victory — by any method — was the primary goal in this instance.

“Who doesn’t want to finish fights?” Rakhmonov said through a translator at the UFC 310 post-fight press conference. “I did everything in my power to do so, but Ian had a great preparation, but I believe next fight I will continue my finishing streak.

“… For me it’s most important to get the win, and I’m happy I won.”

Rakhmonov is now 7-0 in UFC competition, and after his latest triumph, a showdown with reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad looms in the …

Alexander Volkov Blasts Judges for ‘Bulls–t Decision’ in Controversial UFC 310 Defeat

Alexander Volkov isn’t sure what the cageside judges were seeing during his rematch with Ciryl Gane at UFC 310.

Volkov dropped a controversial split-decision to Gane in their featured heavyweight clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. While their first meeting in June 2021 was a clear-cut win for the Frenchman, Volkov appeared to make the necessary adjustments the second time around. When the final verdict was announced, even Gane appeared perplexed by the ruling, as he tried to exit the Octagon without even giving a post-fight interview.

“I saw the eyes of his team, and they didn’t expect this,” Volkov said during his post-fight media scrum (video via MMAjunkie.com). “They didn’t expect the decision, and he was upset, so my respect to Ciryl Gane. He wasn’t like a guy who just walked out from the cage after the decision, because he didn’t feel this, too. Nothing bad to my opponent, I just don’t accept with the commission. I can…

Demetrious Johnson Rejects Alexandre Pantoja’s Callout; UFC Champ Responds

Moments after Alexandre Pantoja vanquished former Rizin bantamweight king Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner, the reigning flyweight champion made interesting use of his microphone time in the Octagon.

“This is the level, the UFC level that’s here so high. You think some Japanese [fighter] going to come here and take my belt? No. When the Octagon is locked, this is my town, this is my city,” Pantoja said in his post-fight interview.

“He doesn’t fight anymore. He retired this year. But this is something for you Demetrious Johnson,” Pantoja added. “I’m the GOAT here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”

Johnson was a longtime UFC flyweight champ before he was traded to ONE Championship for Ben Askren in 2018. “Mighty Mouse” continued his decorated career in the Singapore-based promotion — winning a title at 135 pounds — before announcing his retirement this past September. Johnson is widely regarded as the sport’s all-time best …

UFC 310 Bonuses: Alexandre Pantoja Leads Four ‘Performance of the Night’ Winners

Alexandre Pantoja defended his turf in impressive fashion, and he received some extra compensation for his work as a result.

The reigning flyweight champion earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his second-round submission of Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After an entertaining first round, “The Cannibal” took his foe’s back in a scramble and eventually secured a rear-naked choke, rendering the former Rizin Fighting Federation title holder unconscious at the 2:05 mark of Round 2.

Elsewhere, Vicente Luque took home a $50,000 “Peformance of the Night” check by making short work of Themba Gorimbo in a preliminary welterweight showdown. The Kill Cliff FC representative rocked his foe with a right hook and shortly thereafter, locked in an anaconda choke to put Gorimbo to sleep just 52 seconds into the opening stanza.

In other action, Chase Hooper garnered a $50,000 “Performance of the Night”…

Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja Puts Kai Asakura to Bed in UFC 310 Headliner

Alexandre Pantoja was once again unwilling to make room for anyone else at the top.

The American Top Team-trained Brazilian put promotional newcomer Kai Asakura to sleep with a palm-to-palm rear-naked choke, as he retained the Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight crown in the second round of their UFC 310 headliner on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Asakura (21-5, 0-1 UFC) blacked out 2:05 into Round 2.

Champion and challenger traded barbs throughout a compelling first round. Pantoja (29-5, 13-3 UFC) threw more and landed more while also mixing in a takedown. Asakura responded with a few thudding knees to the body and inside leg kicks but could not keep pace with “The Cannibal.” Pantoja set off a scramble in the second round, jumped to the back, locked down a body triangle and focused all his efforts on the neck of the two-time Rizin Fighting Federation titleholder. He slipped the choke in place, switched grips and let his squeeze do the…

UFC 310 ‘Pantoja vs. Asakura’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live UFC 310 coverage will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nzechukwu (-620), Brzeski (+400)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round: Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-1150), Guida (+650)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT…

UFC 310 Prelims: Resurgent Dominick Reyes Downs Anthony Smith in Las Vegas

Dominick Reyes appears to have steadied himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight division.

The Teixeira MMA export stopped former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Anthony Smith with punches and elbows in the second round of their featured UFC 310 prelim on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In his first assignment since the death of longtime friend and mentor Scott Morton, Smith (38-21, 13-11 UFC) met his end 4:46 into Round 2.

Reyes (14-4, 8-4 UFC) employed an active kicking game to all levels and called upon potent jab-cross combos. Smith swooped in for a single-leg takedown attempt early in the second round, only to be met with digging elbows. Reyes continued to chip away with shots to the side of the head, maintained a steady pace and left referee Marc Goddard no choice but to intervene.

Meanwhile, Kill Cliff Fight Club’s Vicente Luque put Themba Gorimbo to sleep with an anaconda choke in the first roun…

Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2, Zhang vs. Suarez Set for UFC 312 in Sydney

UFC 312 will have a pair of championship bouts at the top of the bill.

Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown in a rematch with Sean Strickland in the evening’s main event, while Weili Zhang will face Tatiana Suarez in a strawweight title bout in the co-headliner. The pairings were announced during the UFC 310 broadcast on Saturday night.

UFC 312 takes place on Feb. 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The main card will air on pay-per-view via ESPN+.

Du Plessis captured 185-pound gold with a split-decision victory over Strickland in their first meeting at UFC 297. “Stillknocks” defended the strap this past August, when he submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of their main event clash at UFC 307. The 30-year-old South African is 8-0 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

After falling to Du Plessis, Strickland returned to the win column with a split verdict against Paulo Costa at UFC 302 this…

UFC’s Return to Seattle Official for Feb. 22

Seattle, you ready? 👀

We're coming to @ClimateArena for #UFCSeattle!

Presale begins Thursday, January 9 ➡️ https://t.co/Lk2ne0yFXU pic.twitter.com/ckylEH9375 — UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2024

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Seattle is now official.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Saturday that it will host a card in “The Emerald City” on Feb. 22. It will be the UFC’s fourth trip to Seattle and the first since 2013, when Demetrious Johnson defended his flyweight crown against John Moraga in the UFC on Fox 8 headliner.

UFC Seattle takes place at Climate Pledge Arena and doesn’t yet have an official headliner. However, a handful of bouts have been reported for the event, including: Anthony Hernandez vs. Brendan Allen at middleweight; Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia at featherweight; Ketlen Vieira vs. Macy Chiasson at bantamweight; Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan at featherweight; Ion C…

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