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Manager Claims UFC Has ‘Completely Different Plan’ for Islam Makhachev

Manager Ali Abdelaziz recently hinted at Islam Makhachev’s future plans.

According to Abdelaziz, the UFC’s immediate plans for Makhachev don’t include Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira or Ilia Topuria — all of whom seemed to be potential opponents for the reigning lightweight champion. However, Abdelaziz also admitted that the unpredictable nature of the sport leaves everything uncertain.

“The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam which doesn’t include Oliveira, Arman or Ilia,” Abdelziz wrote on social media. “But it’s an unpredictable sport and you don’t know what could happen.”

The UFC has a completely different plan for Islam which doesn’t include Oliveira, Arman or Ilias. But it’s an unpredictable sport and you don’t know what could happen.

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) January 20, 2025

Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his lightweight strap against Tsarukyan in the main event at UFC 3…

Jamahal Hill Praises Jiri Prochazka, Shares Post-Fight Toast with UFC 311 Foe

Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill shared a drink at the bar after their fight at #UFC311

(via @JamahalH) pic.twitter.com/FINC1QPcq5

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 20, 2025

Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka have no bad blood between them after sharing the Octagon at UFC 311.

Hill took on Prochazka in a high stakes light heavyweight matchup at UFC 311 this past weekend in Los Angeles. Prochazka hurt “Sweet Dreams” multiple times before knocking him out in the third frame. Hill subsequently posted a clip of himself drinking with Prochazka and congratulated “BJP” on his victory.

“First of congratulations to [Jiri Prochazka]. You made great adjustments and gave me a hell of a fight!!!” Hill wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank everybody that reached out with love and support I truly appreciate you all!!! My fire has never burned hotter or brighter for my future and growth!! Fighting against the elite of the elite is an hon…

PFL Road to Dubai Loses Yakub Sulimanov vs. Jarrah Al-Silawi

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Your updated #RoadToDubai Fight Card

— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 21, 2025

Professional Fighters League’s first event of 2025 is down one fight.

The promotion announced on Monday that a proposed middleweight clash between Yakub Sulimanov and Jarrah Al-Silawi is off the Road to Dubai card. A reason for the cancellation was not revealed. As a result, Road to Dubai will proceed with 11 bouts and now begins at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT on Max.

Chechnya’s Sulimanov is unbeaten in eight professional outings, with the majority of his fights coming under the Absolute Championship Akhmat banner. He went 2-0 in 2024 and is coming off a first-round stoppage of Vahid Kord Manjiri at Middle East Fighting Championship 4 last …

Pereira Says He Requested Matchup at UFC 313; Ankalaev Issues Warning

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According to Alex Pereira, he got exactly what he asked for at UFC 313.

It was announced on Saturday that Pereira will defend his light heavyweight crown against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 headliner on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Pereira has been accused of avoiding the fight by his opponent, he claims that he requested to face the Dagestani light heavyweight.

“I did say that I wanted to take a break, but I started training again. I started feeling good. I started seeing my evolution,” Pereira told ESPN through a translator. “So I called my managers right away and I said, ‘I want to fight. I want to fight in March. I want to fight Ankalaev.’ I know he keeps saying that I’m a just an employee of the UFC, I fight whenever they want, but I asked for him. I told them when I want to fight.”

Ankalaev will enter the bout on a 13-bout unbeaten streak in UFC competition. The 32-year-old is coming off a unanim…

Merab Dvalishvili Discusses Injuries That Hindered Him During UFC 311 Training Camp

It wasn’t necessarily evident during his performance in the Octagon, but Merab Dvalishvili endured his fair share of difficulties leading up to his first bantamweight title defense.

After relying on his relentless pace to pull away from Umar Nurmagomedov for a unanimous decision triumph in the UFC 311 headliner at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Saturday night, Dvalishvili revealed some of the ailments that limited his training. While Nurmagomedov revealed that he might have broken his hand in the opening stanza, “The Machine” claims to have dealt with with plenty of adversity of his own.

“I broke my back in training camp and it was some days I cannot get up from the bed,” Dvalishvili said at the post-fight press conference. “I was laid down and I don’t have a training camp and I don’t have a Khabib Nurmagomedov to help me to train. Some days the [UFC Performance Institute] was closed. It was Christmas and it was New Year’s and weekends and it ha…

Umar Nurmagomedov Addresses UFC 311 Loss to Merab Dvalishvili

Umar Nurmagomedov is seemingly undeterred by his loss against Merab Dvalishvili.

Nurmagomedov challenged Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event at UFC 311 this past Saturday. While the challenger did well in the first two rounds, Dvalishvili took over as the fight got into deeper waters. “The Machine” eventually defended his strap via unanimous decision in a bout that received “Fight of the Night” honors. Speaking of his loss against Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov stated that doesn’t have any excuses. However, the Dagestani also feels like he didn’t completely lose the fight.

“There are no excuses,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram. “InshaAllah i will become the champion .The rest is not important. Praise Allah in any situation. And I don't think I've lost this battle If even the whole world will convince me otherwise.”

Nurmagomedov losing his undefeated record was the only setback for the Dagestani contingent at UFC 311. Nurma…

Arman Tsarukyan Eyes Charles Oliveira Rematch to Return to Title Contention

Arman Tsarukyan is ready to put in the work to get back into the UFC lightweight title picture.

Tsarukyan earned his gold bid against Islam Makhachev with a split-decision win over former champ Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 last year. “Ahalkalakets” was scheduled to challenge Makhachev in the main event at UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles this past Saturday. However, Tsarukyan pulled out on the day of the weigh-ins due to a back injury.

Renato "Money" Moicano, who was originally supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the same card, got a last-minute title shot against Makhachev. While “Moicano” tagged Makhachev a couple of times, the champ eventually made quick work of the Brazilian with a brabo choke in the first round.

UFC CEO Dana White didn’t seem too happy with Tsarukyan and clarified that the Russian won’t be receiving the next title shot at lightweight. And Tsarukyan isn’t complaining. The lightweight contender is ready to fight his…

Dana White Changes Course, Views Makhachev as No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Dana White is finally ready to give Islam Makhachev his flowers.

After Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a first-round submission of Renato Carneiro in the UFC 311 main event on Saturday night, White conceded that the Dagestani is the top pound-for-pound talent in the sport. That’s a significant change in course for White, who for months has expressed his displeasure that Makhachev was ranked ahead of heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the promotion’s pound-for-pound poll.

“He’s already the pound-for-pound No. 1 ranking. Yeah, I’ll give it to him,” White said at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. “Is everybody happy now that he’s pound-for-pound?

The UFC CEO came away impressed with Makhachev’s willingness to adapt when original foe Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the main event just one day before their fight. The reigning lightweight champ didn’t blink when “Moicano” was proposed as a replacement foe on short notice.

“Islam w…

Dana White Changes Course, Acknowledges Makhachev as No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Dana White is finally ready to give Islam Makhachev his flowers.

After Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a first-round submission of Renato Carneiro in the UFC 311 main event on Saturday night, White conceded that the Dagestani is the top pound-for-pound talent in the sport. That’s a significant change in course for White, who for months has expressed his displeasure that Makhachev was ranked ahead of heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the promotion’s pound-for-pound poll.

“He’s already the pound-for-pound No. 1 ranking. Yeah, I’ll give it to him,” White said at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. “Is everybody happy now that he’s pound-for-pound?

The UFC CEO came away impressed with Makhachev’s willingness to adapt when original foe Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the main event just one day before their fight. The reigning lightweight champ didn’t blink when “Moicano” was proposed as a replacement foe on short notice.

“Islam w…

Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen Tabbed as Coaches for ‘TUF 33’

The Good Guy vs The Bad Guy @DC_MMA and @ChaelSonnen will coach Season 33 of #TUF! pic.twitter.com/x2Lo53ycx9

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025

Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will serve as rival coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 33.”

The UFC veterans announced the news during the UFC 311 broadcast on Saturday night. “TUF 33” is expected to feature welterweights and flyweights and will premiere on May 27. Cormier and Sonnen, who are co-hosts on the “Good Guy/Bad Guy” podcast on ESPN, both have previous coaching experience on the long-running reality show.

A former two-division champion, Cormier was enshrined in the UFC’s Hall of Fame in 2022. The American Kickboxing Academy stalwart captured belts at both heavyweight and light heavyweight while also winning the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix earlier in his career.

Sonnen is a former UFC title challenger at both middleweight and light heavyweight and has long been known for hi…

UFC 311 Salaries: Merab Dvalishvili ($500K) Leads Disclosed Payroll

Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili received the highest disclosed purse from UFC 311.

The California State Athletic Commission recently released salaries from the event, which took place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles in Saturday night. Dvalishvili, who defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event, earned $500,000 for his efforts. Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, garnered $100,000 in defeat.

Meanwhile, reigning lightweight king Islam Makhachev earned a disclosed $200,000 for his first-round submission of Renato "Money" Moicano ($250,000) in the evening’s headliner. All told, 12 fighters received six-figure paydays at the conclusion of UFC 311.

Note: The disclosed purses reported by state athletic commissions do not include any performance-based or discretionary bonuses that may be awarded to a fighter by the promotion. Additionally, the reported figures do not reflect any deductions made by the commission for taxes, insurance, etc., and do not in…

Tagir Ulanbekov Believes He Can Beat Alexandre Pantoja With ‘Fighting Spirit’

Tagir Ulanbekov claims his fighting spirit sets him apart from everyone Alexandre Pantoja has ever faced.

Ulanbekov handed Clayton Carpenter his first pro loss via unanimous decision victory in the card opener at UFC 311 on Saturday. Likely to enter the Top 10 of the UFC rankings with his win over Carpenter, Ulanbekov called for a title shot against Pantoja in his post-fight interview. Pantoja has walked through almost the entire flyweight division during his championship reign. Ulanbekov belongs to a long line of special athletes trained in the mountains of Dagestan by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Ulanbekov believes it is the tutelage of Abdulmanap that has gifted them with a spirit that sets them apart from others. And according to the 33-year-old, it is this spirit that will give him the edge over Pantoja.

“I have nothing. All I have is a heart of a champion. And I’m gonna win it with my fighting spirit,” Ulanbekov said at his post-…

Beneil Dariush Reveals He Received Full Fight Purse for Canceled UFC 311 Booking

Beneil Dariush announces that the UFC will pay him both his SHOW and WIN money following the UFC 311 main event change:

“It’s excellent, I can’t complain. They’re giving me both show and win money…I appreciate Dana, I appreciate the UFC, I appreciate Hunter”

@TheSchmo312… pic.twitter.com/cx7vUgTIYm — Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 18, 2025

Beneil Dariush is being taken care of, as Dana White had promised.

Dariush was originally scheduled to fight Renato Carneiro at UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Las Vegas. However, the card saw some turbulence on the day of the weigh-ins when the main event fell through. Islam Makhachev was supposed to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in the headliner. However, Tsarukyan was forced out at the last moment due to a back injury.

Dariush received a call from manager Ali Abdelaziz informing him that there could be a last-minute change. Hav…

UFC 311 Bonuses: Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov Garner ‘Fight of the Night’ Honors

Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov engaged in an exhausting five-round battle in the UFC 311 co-main event, and the bantamweight combatants were rewarded for their efforts.

Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov received “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 for their bantamweight championship scrap on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Nurmagomedov’s superior speed and athleticism was on display in the early going, but Dvalishvili gradually took control thanks to his blend of pace and conditioning to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision triumph.

Elsewhere, Jiri Prochazka took home a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check for his stoppage of fellow former champion Jamahal Hill in a thrilling light heavyweight affair. Prochazka dropped his opponent in the opening period and then endured some punishment before putting Hill away with another knockdown and a salvo of offense at the 3:01 mark of Round 3.

Finally, Jailton Almeida earned the card’s other…

Islam Makhachev Retains Lightweight Title, Throttles Renato Moicano Atop UFC 311

Islam Makhachev exploits the slightest of openings.

The American Kickboxing Academy star kept his stranglehold on the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title, as he dismissed Renato “Money” Moicano with a brabo choke in the first round of their UFC 311 headliner on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. A short-notice fill-in for Arman Tsarukyan, Moicano (20-6-1, 12-6 UFC) checked out 4:05 into Round 1.

Makhachev (27-1, 16-1 UFC) completed a takedown midway through the first round, settled in half guard and went to work. Moicano initiated a scramble, only to wander into the champion’s clutches. Makhachev rolled into position for the choke, tightened his squeeze and elicited the tapout. With that, he put his 15th straight victory in the books, leaving him one shy of Anderson Silva’s all-time UFC record.

Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili wore down the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov with his breakneck pace and ret…

UFC 311 Prelims: Raoni Barcelos Manhandles Undefeated Payton Talbott

Raoni Barcelos reminded any and all upstarts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight division that experience still matters.

The onetime Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil titleholder cruised to a surprisingly one-sided unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Payton Talbott in the featured UFC 311 prelim on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Barcelos (19-5, 8-4 UFC) carried all three scorecards: 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26.

Talbott (9-1, 3-1 UFC) was undone by shoddy takedown defense. Barcelos grounded him repeatedly, floated from one dominant position to the next and even achieved full mount on multiple occasions. Any momentum Talbott tried to build in standup exchanges was quickly snuffed out by the Brazilian. Barcelos tied a bow on his performance late in the third round, where he advanced to the back, flattened out the Reno Academy of Combat representative an uncorked punches from both hands.

Mean…

Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev, Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker Top UFC 313 Card

Alex Pereira will defend his light heavyweight crown against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event on March 8.

The promotion announced the booking during the UFC 311 broadcast on Saturday night. Additionally, Justin Gaethje will square off against Dan Hooker in a five-round, co-main event clash. UFC 313 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

While Pereira recently hinted that he wouldn’t be facing Ankalaev next, perhaps that was a bit of gamesmanship from the popular Brazilian. A former UFC middleweight champion, “Poatan” is 5-0 since moving up to 205 pounds. He claimed the vacant light heavyweight belt with a second-round stoppage of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 and has since defended the strap with successive stoppages against Jamahal Hill, Prochazka and Khalil Rountree.

Ankalaev, meanwhile, is unbeaten in his last 13 Octagon appearances. His initial shot at championship gold came against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282, but the bout …

‘TUF’ Co-Creator Craig Piligian to Be Enshrined in UFC Hall of Fame Contributor Wing

The man behind the show that changed this sport

Welcome Craig Piligian to the UFC Hall of Fame! @UltimateFighter pic.twitter.com/s2zhRYwpql

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025

One of the key figures in the birth of “The Ultimate Fighter” will be headed to the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.

During the UFC 311 broadcast, it was announced that producer Craig Piligian will be inducted into the Contributor Wing for his role in helping bring “TUF” to life. The long-running reality show was born when Piligian met with UFC president Dana White and former UFC CEO to “discuss an unscripted television series aimed at showcasing and promoting the organization’s brand and 16 athletes living together in a house while competing for a six-figure contract with UFC,” according to a release.

“TUF 1” debuted on Jan. 17, 2005 on Spike TV and was produced by Piligian’s Pilgrim Media Group. The show served as something of a launching point …

Khabib Believes UFC Forced Merab Dvalishvili to Fight Umar Nurmagomedov

Khabib thinks the UFC made Merab Dvalishvili accept the fight with Umar Nurmagomedov:

“I believe the UFC… pressured [Merab] and made him fight [Umar]… The UFC needed a co-main event fight, that’s my personal opinion.”

YT Gorilla Fighting

pic.twitter.com/2nFxkVFD27 — Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 17, 2025

Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Merab Dvalishvili (18-4) doesn’t want to fight Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0).

Umar challenges Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event at UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. While Umar has long been the most eligible candidate for a title shot, the matchup didn’t come to fruition without some drama.

After winning the strap against Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 last year, Dvalishvili initially made it clear that he didn’t want his first title defense to be against Umar. “The Machine” claimed Umar was still undeserving of a title shot and wa…

Demetrious Johnson: ‘Moicano’ Tougher Fight for Makhachev Than Tsarukyan

Demestrious Johnson thinks the UFC 311 card is better with Renato Moicano stepping in to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice, and believes Moicano is a more dangerous fight for Makhachev than Arman Tsarukyan:

“I think it’s a better fight…I think it’s a tougher fight for… pic.twitter.com/gFGQZtoMUd

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 18, 2025

Demetrious Johnson considers Renato "Money Moicano" Carneiro (20-5) to be a dangerous opponent for Islam Makhachev (26-1).

The UFC 311 main event saw a last-minute change as Arman Tsarukyan was forced out of his lightweight title shot against Makhahcev due to an injury. “Moicano,” who was originally supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the same card, stepped in on a day’s notice to challenge Makhachev. Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White has said that Dariush will be taken care of.

While Tsarukyan is the No. 1 ranked lightweight contender, Johnson believes “Moicano” could pos…

Injury Ejects Arman Tsarukyan From UFC 311, Moicano In vs. Makhachev

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Makhachev will now be facing Moicano for the lightweight title. #UFC311 is LIVE TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/2JZevvpQP2

— danawhite (@danawhite) January 17, 2025 Editor's note: The article has been updated at 3:45 PM ET on Jan. 17 to add statements from multiple fighters. The first big Ultimate Fighting Championship show of the year has just taken a monumental hit.

During the UFC 311 early weigh-ins on Friday, Sherdog learned from sources close to the situation that headlining lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan suffered a back injury. As a result, he has been forced to withdraw from the main attraction against Islam Makhachev (26-1). The promotion turned to Renato "Money" Moicano (20-5-1), who was set to face off against Beneil Dariush on the main card. Per the UFC on Friday morning, Moicano has agreed to vie for the strap, and the new marquee match is set.

After the news broke, Tsarukyan…

UFC 311 Weigh-in Results: New Main Event Set for PPV

The lightweight champion is on weight @MAKHACHEVMMA comes in at 154.5lbs!

[ #UFC311 | Live TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET ] pic.twitter.com/tIll9zoaEV

— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2025 After a hectic UFC 311 weigh-ins, it's now official that the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first pay-per-view of the year has a new main event.

Now headlining the 13-fight card is a fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato "Money" Moicano for the lightweight championship. This comes after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from a championship rematch at the last minute due to a back injury. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see Merab Dvalishvili look to make his first title defense against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Makhachev (26-1) prepared during his camp for Tsarukyan, who he defeated the Octagon in 2019. Since his unanimous decision victory, the Dagestani fighter has claimed the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira and defende…

UFC 311 ‘Makhachev vs. Moicano’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live UFC 311 coverage will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ulanbekov (-325), Carpenter (+260)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:

Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round: The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sopai (-355), Turcios (+280)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS…

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman Announces Retirement

At 40 years of age, a Ultimate Fighting Championship great is deciding to hang up his gloves.

During the UFC 311 early weigh-in show on Friday, Chris Weidman (16-8) announced his retirement from the sport. “The All-American” last competed in December, coming up short to Eryk Anders in the second round when the former football player punched him out. While he struggled towards the end of his career, Weidman started strong by amassing a 13-0 record while beating many of the best names ever to compete at 185 pounds in the Octagon.

“I’ve been holding it in for a while,” Weidman said with mixed emotions on his face. “I got a big fight set up,” he teased to fellow former champ Daniel Cormier. “Listen, since I decided to get into this sport since 2009, the goal was to be a UFC fighter. Then, immediately the goal was to become a UFC world champion. Fourteen years later, I’m here, and I’m here to tell you guys that I’m hanging up the gloves in the UFC, and […