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The lightweight title fight between Damir Ismagulov and Artem Damkovsky has ended prematurely, as Damkovsky broke his forearm on the champion's head. The first-round stoppage means Ismagulov now rides an 11-fight winning streak with three successful title defenses. #M1Challenge94 pic.twitter.com/WMaDcGlfRi

— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) June 15, 2018

European mixed martial arts promotion M-1 Global hosted M-1 Challenge 94 Friday in Orenburg, Russia, and had an unusual end to proceedings in the main event.

In a lightweight title fight between king Damir Ismagulov and former ace Artem Damkovsky, the champion successfully defended his title when the fight was stopped by the referee due to an injured arm.

With approximately one minute remaining in the opening period, the fighters separated and Damkovsky threw an overhead left hook that broke his forearm. The fighter felt the injury immediately and waved for the referee to stop the fight. Read more about M-1 Challenge 94 Video: Artem Damkovsky Breaks Arm in Failed Title Bid

Now that Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight king Robert Whittaker has defeated Yoel Romero for the second time at UFC 225, the remaining Top-5 middleweights are jockeying for position to secure the next title shot.

Two of those top middleweights have been trading shots back and forth on social media, each making a case for his own shot at UFC gold while diminishing the other’s accomplishments. Former divisional champ Chris Weidman and Kelvin Gastelum were friendly and polite leading into their fight at UFC on Fox 25 last July, but that good will has been tossed out of the window now that the stakes are higher.

Gastelum began the heated exchange on Wednesday, calling Weidman “Chrispy” and challenging his claim to the next title shot on Twitter:

Chrispy??? Now it’s personal...my argument is simple. I am ranked ahead of YOU and I finished YOU in my last fight. https://t.co/EaqAPvdINm

— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) June 14, 2018

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVVyYxiN1_U&w=560&h=315]

Former WWE superstar and professional wrestler CM Punk had his second mixed martial arts fight over the weekend at UFC 225, and once again fell short against Mike Jackson.

Punk and Jackson both entered the bout sporting an 0-1 professional MMA record, with each losing to Mickey Gall by first-round submission beforehand. “The Truth” was essentially the only fighter with comparable experience to Punk, and so expectations were a bit higher this time around for the former wrestler.

However, Jackson pieced him up for three rounds, winning all of the judges’ scorecards 30-26.

Punk’s Jiu-Jitsu coach Daniel Wanderley has worked with the former WWE star for years now, and after Saturday night’s loss, is advising Punk to consider other options outside of mixed martial arts -- namely competitive Jiu-Jitsu:

“I hope he continues training and maybe enters a jiu-jitsu competition, something he has alwa…

Eight bouts complete this stacked #InvictaFC30 fight card! Which bout do you think will earn FOTN honors? pic.twitter.com/SQBNN1snq0

— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) June 14, 2018

Invicta Fighting Championships has released the eight-bout fight card for its upcoming event, Invicta FC 30 in Kansas City.

In the main event, the vacant Invicta FC atomweight title will be on the line when Jinh Yu Frey meets Finnish contender Minna Grusander. The 105-pound title was vacated by Ayaka Hamasaki, who is currently competing for Rizin Fighting Federation.

Competing at strawweight as well as atomweight, Frey is 4-2 under the Invicta FC banner, including a decision triumph over Ashley Cummins in her last fight in 2017. The red-hot Grusander will look to build on her streak of four straight stoppage wins over the likes of Fernanda Priscila Barros Pinheiro and Elena Belaya.

Founded in 2012, Invicta FC is the world’s largest all-female mixed marti…

Conor McGregor appeared in court Thursday and remains in plea negotiations for his involvement in an April incident at Barclays Center. pic.twitter.com/3iOwqDg56Q

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 14, 2018

The ongoing saga of Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Conor McGregor’s legal troubles resulting from his now infamous bus attack isn’t going to be over until late July at the earliest, after “The Notorious” and fellow co-conspirator Cian Cowley made yet another appearance at the Brooklyn Criminal Courthouse on Thursday.

McGregor’s legal team kept it brief, stating they intended on negotiating a plea deal and the case was continued again until July 26.

A member of McGregor’s legal team read a statement from the beleaguered Irishman:

Here is a statement from Conor McGregor via a member of his legal team: pic.twitter.com/RXHMAG3hxD

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 14, 2018

“I regret my …

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxqIKnxc-r0&w=560&h=315]

WWE superstar Daniel Bryan recently opened the door to trying his hand at mixed martial arts, complete with a potential debut opponent. Pro Wrestling Sheet recently posted a portion of a video Q&A, lifted from Bryan’s Instagram. In the video, a fan asked Bryan whether he thought he could beat Mike Jackson, who defeated Bryan’s former WWE colleague CM Punk at UFC 225 last Saturday, in a fight.

“Did they just ask me if I could beat Mike Jackson in a fight?” Bryan said. “The answer… I could beat him on the ground, for sure. If WWE will let me fight in the UFC, maybe.”

Bryan’s tone was clearly playful; however, with the recent passage of Ronda Rousey to WWE and the perpetual rumors about Brock Lesnar’s return to the Octagon, the relationship between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and WWE has seemed closer than ever.

“The Truth,” of course, didn’t miss the chance to reply to Bryan.

Read more about WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan Speculates on Fighting MMA, Chances Against Mike Jackson

Last Saturday at UFC 225 in Chicago, Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Robert Whittaker won a unanimous decision over top contender Yoel Romero in a rematch that many are calling “Fight of the Year.” Because Romero missed the championship weight limit, the fight was not an official title defense, but nonetheless was hailed as an instant classic.

In their first encounter at UFC 213 last July, Romero and Whittaker fought a very closely contested bout for the interim middleweight title. Whittaker, who tore the medial collateral ligament of his left knee early in the first round, won by decision and was later declared the undisputed champion after Georges St. Pierre announced that he was vacating his title.

Saturday's rematch went back and forth for five full rounds, with Whittaker landing swift kicks to the head, legs and body and Romero throwing powerful flurries in an attempt to finish his opponent. Whittaker later revealed that he had broken hi…

Dana White finally has a date set for his meeting with Conor McGregor.

The UFC president told TMZ Sports on Wednesday that he will meet with McGregor and his team on June 18, which is a Monday. White did not disclose a location for the meeting, which was originally supposed to occur during the weekend of UFC Fight Night 130 in Liverpool, England. He had previously indicated that it would occur in Las Vegas after the Liverpool date fell through.

“He and I are meeting on the 18th of this month,” White confirmed.

First, McGregor will appear in court on Thursday to face multiple charges for his attack on a bus at the Barclays, Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. ahead of UFC 223. McGregor threw a dolly through the window of the bus, shattering glass and injuring fighters Ray Borg and Michael Chiesa as well as a UFC employee. According to TMZ, McGregor’s legal team is working on a plea deal.

As for White, he claims to have no inside knowledge of the proceedings.

<…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1cEOzYChN8&w=560&h=315]

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is hopeful he’ll be ready to fight again at the end of year after another injury setback.

“The Dominator” has not fought since losing the bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt back at UFC 207 in December 2016. The 33 year-old was scheduled to meet Jimmie Rivera at UFC 219, although he had to withdraw from the fight after suffering a broken his arm in training.

Cruz appeared on Monday’s episode of “The MMA Hour” and talked about the status of his latest injury and his potential return to the Octagon:

“I go see the doctor on Thursday. I should get cleared, and then we’ll have a good case for myself to get back in there as soon as possible. I’m trying to get back in there before the end of the year [2018].”

Cruz was asked by host Ariel Helwani if he had any potential opponents in mind for his return, with the veteran …

Former NFL player Greg Hardy made his professional MMA debut and earned a UFC developmental contract on the second season of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.

Hardy’s debut in a show where he was vying for a contract with the world’s largest MMA promotion was heavily criticized due to his controversial past. The athlete was convicted for assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2014, but the charges were dropped after the victim refused to testify in his appeal. Hardy’s has had alcohol and drug problems as well that got him in more legal issues in the past.

When asked about Hardy’s controversial past, UFC president Dana White responded in a media scrum on Tuesday night (video courtesy MMAjunkie.com).

“He’s the type of athlete, and he’s the type of guy that, if he does anything wrong, there will be no mercy for him,” White said. “I mean, everybody’s going to jump on him. You talk to the people in his camp, they love the guy. Men and women. They think he’s a great…

Sherdog's live DWTNCS Season 2 debut coverage kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 The Official Result

Outside of a loss to Francis Ngannou in his debut, Curtis Blaydes is unbeaten inside the Octagon and getting better with each fight. After adding Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt to his resume in 2018, the Chicago native believes he’s risen to the top of the division.

At UFC 225, Blaydes ended Overeem’s night in emphatic fashion, as he bloodied the Dutchman’s face with a series of violent elbows from top position for a technical knockout victory at the 2:56 mark of the third round. Four months earlier, “Razor” Blaydes landed 10 takedowns en route to an convincing unanimous verdict over Hunt at UFC 221.

“I put it all together [on Saturday],” Blaydes said of his victory against Overeem. “I knew this fight was a big one and I wanted to make sure I stepped up in my moment.

“Overeem is a legend and a world champion. There’s no doubt that I am the next one in line for the title. Give me Stipe [Miocic], give me [Daniel Cormier], all that matters is that I’m the next…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w16yCUvH8pQ&w=560&h=315]

Neither man is currently active in the UFC at the moment, but a future bout between Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones is still apparently desired by all parties involved.

UFC President Dana White discussed Lesnar’s status during a recent interview with TMZ Sports. The former heavyweight champion hasn’t competed since he defeated Mark Hunt at UFC 200, a result that was later overturned to a no contest after Lesnar failed a drug test. Since then White has said on multiple occasions that a Lesnar return to the Las Vegas-based promotion is likely.

“I know that Brock’s WWE deal is up at the end of the summer I think and I know he wants to fight, so I’m sure we’ll end up getting that figured out,” White said.

Initially, White was asked about a potential Lesnar pairing with former heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou. Ngannou recently showed interest in a potential bout with the WWE star.

“Th…

Robert Whittaker emerged from his rematch with Yoel Romero at UFC 225 with a hard-fought split decision victory, and it’s a battle he won’t soon forget.

“The Reaper” did not speak to media following Saturday’s headliner at the United Center in Chicago because he was transported to a hospital to treat injuries — including a potentially broken thumb — suffered in the contest. Whittaker issued his first statement since the fight via Instagram on Monday.

“Let me start with showing respect to [Yoel Romero] and his team,” Whittaker wrote. “The was the hardest fight of my career and it was a war.”

The five-round affair was a non-title bout due to Romero missing his contracted weight by 0.2 pounds. The Cuban Olympian nonetheless gave Whittaker all he could handle, scoring knockdowns in rounds three and five and showcasing flashes of his devastating power throughout the contest. Had Romero won, Whittaker would have still retained his 185-pound title, but things cert…

I hit him with punches and elbows and he stayed standing. I didn’t want to run in and get caught with dumb shit. Imagine being the guy who loses to CM Punk! https://t.co/DNgztswpzH

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) June 10, 2018

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White didn’t hold back when asked what he thought of the fight which kicked off the main card at UFC 225 on Saturday night featuring Phil Brooks -- better known as “CM Punk” -- and Mike Jackson.

White had previously defended the decision to have Punk and Jackson included on the main card instead of the high-profile heavyweight match between Alistair Overeem and Chicago native Curtis Blaydes. White had stated that Punk’s inclusion was purely a business decision as the former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar has a greater pull when it comes to pay-per-view sales compared to the other fighters on the card.

While Jackson easily won the fight, it was the m…

CM Punk may be 0-2 as a mixed martial artist, but that didn’t prevent him from having a positive outlook following his second Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance.

The former WWE star issued a brief statement on Twitter following his unanimous decision loss to Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on Saturday. Punk was never competitive in the bout, but he did make it to the final bell. In his Octagon debut, Punk was submitting by Mickey Gall 2:14 into the opening stanza at UFC 203 in September 2016.

“You win some, you lose some,” Punk wrote. “I’m 1-1 this week and I’ll take it! Thanks to my team, my family , my friends and the fans! Wouldn’t be here without any of you. Respect to [Mike Jackson], thanks for the fight! You only live once…and I’m alive!”

You win some, you lose some! I'm 1-1 this week and I'll take it! Thanks to my team, my family, my friends, and THE FANS! Wouldn't be here without any of you. Respect to @TheTruthJackson, thanks fo…

When Robert Whittaker squares off with Yoel Romero, it’s a safe bet that top-notch violence is going to ensue. It’s also likely that some injuries are going to occur.

That was the case in their rematch at UFC 225, as Whittaker’s team released a photo revealing an x-ray of a broken thumb suffered in the first round of Saturday’s headliner at the United Center in Chicago. According to the Instagram post, “The Reaper” fought four and a half rounds with the injury. Still, the Aussie was able to survive a few harrowing moments to emerge with a split-decision triumph over Romero. Whittaker’s middleweight title was not on the line in the fight due to Romero missing weight by 0.2 pounds.

“In the first round, I busted my hand and I cannot feel it up to my elbow,” Whittaker said shortly after the victory. “Yoel hits like a truck and I just had to try and survive and make the comeback. I could have seen it going any way because it was tight but I hit him a lot and I thoug…

No title was at stake in the UFC 225 headliner, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero fought at the United Center on Saturday night.

Whittaker and Romero received “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 apiece for their five-round war. In a bout filled with momentum swings, Whittaker held on for a split-decision triumph, surviving knockdowns from Romero in round three and five in the process. While “The Reaper” improved to 2-0 against Romero, a trilogy bout wouldn’t be surprising considering the competitive nature of their first two meetings.

Elsewhere, Curtis Blaydes garnered a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check for his third-round technical knockout victory over former title challenger Alistair Overeem in a preliminary heavyweight clash. After controlling the contest through his wrestling, “Razor” Blaydes opened up and finished Overeem with a violent salvo of elbows at the 2:56 mark of the third round.

Finally,…

UFC 225 is now available on Amazon Prime.

Sherdog's live UFC 225 coverage kicks off Saturday at 6:15 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scores Round 3 Sherdog Scores The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Round 2 Sherdog Scor…

Derrick Krantz had a deeper reservoir of experience upon which to draw and needed every bit of it.

Takedowns, positional control and ground-and-pound carried Krantz to a split decision over Kassius Holdorf in the Legacy Fighting Alliance 42 headliner on Friday at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, Missouri. Scores were 30-27 and 30-27 for Krantz and 29-28 for Holdorf.

Both men had opportunities in the 15-minute match. Holdorf (10-5, 1-1 LFA) buzzed the tower more than once in a back-and-forth first round, rattling the Team 515 representative with power punches from both hands. Krantz (21-10, 3-1 LFA) executed multiple takedowns, hunted for submissions and applied his ground-and-pound over the final 10 minutes, climbing to mount under the threat of a kimura late in the third round to close the deal.

The 30-year-old Krantz has won four of his last five fights.

In the welterweight co-main event, World Series of Fighting alum Jaleel Willis dispatched Chel…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4XZtNbyDhU&w=560&h=315]

New Zeland’s Robert Whittaker (185) has made championship weight to meet Yoel Romero in one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s biggest pay-per-views in 2018 to date. Unfortunately, Romero did not hold up his end of the bargain on his first attempt.

Romero was the last fighter to weigh-in Friday, and originally came in one pound over the championship fight limit of 185 pounds. On his second attempt nearly two hours later, he hit 185.2.

Meanwhile, the interim welterweight title will be on the line as Rafael dos Anjos (169) finally meets Colby Covington (169) in the co-main event.

UFC 225 “Whittaker vs. Romero” -- which takes place Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois -- will also feature a women’s featherweight clash between top contender Holly Holm (146) and UFC newcomer Megan Anderson (146), as well as the much anticipated return of Phil Brooks A.K.A. “CM Punk” (169) agains…

Gall added, “Punk lasted 2:14 with me, which is pretty impressive. MJ lasted only :45. Punk has almost triple the time of ufc experience.”

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 6, 2018

UFC 225 is now available on Amazon Prime.

On Saturday night, former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Phil Brooks -- better known as “CM Punk” -- makes his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his second appearance inside the Octagon he is scheduled to take Mike Jackson to kick off the main card of UFC 225 in Chicago.

Punk had his first fight in September 2016 against the young prospect Mickey Gall. Punk was completely outclassed in the fight before Gall eventually locked in a rear-naked choke and finished the fight in 2:14 in the opening period. Jackson (0-1), also lost to Gall via submission, but in 45 seconds seven months earlier in February 2016.

In the lead up to the fight this weekend between Punk and Jackson, MMA Fighting’…

Jumabieke Tuerxun will not have fond memories of his encounter with Andre Harrison.

Power punching volleys, a shut-down sprawl and well-timed takedowns paired with ground-and-pound carried the undefeated Harrison to a unanimous decision over the Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran in the Professional Fighters League 1 headliner on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York. All three cageside judges scored it for Harrison (18-0, 2-0 PFL): 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26.

Tuerxun (20-7-1, 0-1 PFL) was essentially a non-factor. Harrison either sprawled into top position or executed a takedown in all three rounds, short-circuiting his opponent’s efforts. The 30-year-old Bellmore Kickboxing Academy representative saved some of his best work for the second round, where he threatened Tuerxun with a brabo choke, punished him with heavy artillery and generally made life miserable for the Chinese featherweight.

In the featherweight co-main event, Xtreme Couture’s Lance Palmer…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrPtXhFR0LY&w=560&h=315]

The main event of “The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale” is set to change, as Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Brad Tavares will be forced to withdraw due to injury. On Thursday morning, UFC president Dana White reported that Tavares (17-4), who was scheduled to face the red-hot Israel Adesanya (13-0) on July 6, has suffered a broken foot. White also mentioned that at least one other UFC middleweight has offered to step up in Tavares’ place, though he would not commit to having settled on a replacement.

“Brad Tavares, I don’t think anybody knows this yet, just this morning broke his foot,” White told TMZ. “He’s out of that fight now with Israel [Adesanya], so we are looking to put somebody new in with this kid. I’m excited about him. I don’t know. Thiago Santos said he will accept the fight, but I’m still looking and trying to figure this thing out. Injuries are killing me, man!”

San…