Category: UFC

UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja wanted to move up for Sean O’Malley, vows to rule flyweight ‘for a long time’

UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja once desired to move to bantamweight, but now says that was only for one specific opponent.

UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] contemplated a move to bantamweight, but since Sean O’Malley is no longer the champion, he wants to continue his reign at 125 pounds.

Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) and former bantamweight champ O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently went back and forth over what happened in a sparring session. Pantoja, who has defended his flyweight title twice, began thinking about a move to the bantamweight division, but it turns out that was only to settle the score with O’Malley, who has since lost his title to Merab Dvalishvili.

As things currently stand, Pantoja is no longer interested in moving up to 135 pounds.

“No, I’m the flyweight champion,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie when asked if a bantamweight move was still possible. “I want to stay here for a long time. I just thought about (a move) to fight with O’Malley because we have some history before, you know, he talked something bad. I want to prove I beat him in the gym, and I can beat him in a real fight.”

Pantoja is just a few days away from headlining UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where he will welcome promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag].

Should he past that test, Pantoja recognizes there are a few deserving contenders waiting for their shot at the title, including rematches against Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. But first things first: he must ensure Asakura doesn’t end his championship reign.

“A couple of options, good options,” Pantoja said. “I just think about Kai Asakura, make a great show for everyone. That’s what I want. Give to all my fans a great show Dec. 7. It’s going to be great.”

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UFC 311: Undefeated prospect Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos officially announced

UFC prospect Payton Talbott has a date and name for his return to the octagon.

[autotag]Payton Talbott[/autotag] has a name and date for his return to the octagon.

The undefeated UFC bantamweight prospect takes on veteran [autotag]Raoni Barcelos[/autotag] at UFC 311 – the promotion’s first pay-per-view of 2025, which is set to go down on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

UFC officially announced the fight Saturday. MMA Fighting was first to report the matchup.

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Talbott (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is coming off his quickest career win, a 19-second knockout of Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC 303 back in June. The 26-year-old fighter is regarded as one of the best prospects today at 125 pounds. Talbott has also won two back-to-back $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses in his last two performances.

On the other hand, his opponent, Barcelos (18-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC), is coming off a submission win over Cristian Quiñonez back in February. The win snapped a two-fight losing streak for the 37-year-old veteran, who’s 2-4 in his past six trips to the octagon.

The current UFC 311 lineup includes:

  • Jamahal Hill vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Rinya Nakamura
  • Bogdan Guskov vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ailin Perez vs. Karol Rosa
  • Sedriques Dumas vs. Zach Reese
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Payton Talbott
  • Bernardo Sopaj vs. Ricky Turcios

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Francis Ngannou responds to Jon Jones with clever call out for ‘the right fight’

While Jon Jones deals with his “haters,” Francis Ngannou took the opportunity to make another call out.

[autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] and [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] may never actually cross paths inside the cage, but that hasn’t “The Predator” from hyping up the fantasy match.

PFL heavyweight superfights champ Ngannou (18-3) was once in a position to be able to face Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) when they were both in the UFC. Unfortunately, during Jones’ three-year transition from light heavyweight to heavyweight, Ngannou left the promotion to join the PFL after he could not come to terms on a new deal with the UFC.

Although they are now under different promotions and the UFC is unwilling to cross-promote, Ngannou and Jones have continued to discuss the potential fight, most famously during an impromptu faceoff last year at a PFL event in Atlanta.

Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion, is coming off his first title defense at UFC 309, where he stopped Stipe Miocic. Leading into the fight and coming out of it, Jones has been labeled a “duck” for being dismissive of interim champion Tom Aspinall.

“Crazy how being called a ‘duck’ pays better than most of you Internet tough guys will make in a lifetime,” Jones wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Two fights in four years and still one of the biggest names in the sport? that’s not ducking, that’s winning. God’s blessings hit different, stay mad.”

Ngannou took the opportunity to reply to Jones’ message with a clever call out, keeping the conversation of the fantasy fight between the two alive.

“Blessings make haters uncomfortable, but they can’t change it,” Ngannou wrote on X. “There’s only one fight, the right fight that will multiply your blessings. #NgannouVSJones”

PFL execs Donn Davis and Peter Murray have often spoken supportively about a potential cross promotion fight between Ngannou and Jones, urging the UFC to play ball. UFC CEO Dana White has shut it down the idea, reiterating that business is not conducted in that manner for the Las Vegas-based promotion.

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UFC title contender Umar Nurmagomedov reveals recent arm injury prevented January booking

UFC bantamweight title contender Umar Nurmagomedov revealed why he was unable to schedule a fight in January.

UFC bantamweight title contender [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] revealed why he could not book a fight in January.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), the promotionally-ranked No. 2 bantamweight, has dominated the division since his arrival in 2021. Many expect him to be next up for a shot at Merab Dvalishvili’s title after winning a unanimous decision against Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC on ABC 7 in August. The undefeated Dagestani has not been booked for a fight since.

On the surface, it would appear he has been waiting for the title picture to become clear, as Dvalishvili has seemed uninterested in the fight.

While the uncertain matchmaking could certainly be playing a part in his return, Nurmagomedov revealed in a social media post on Friday that he has recently been dealing with a fractured arm, but is now ready to get a fight on the schedule.

“I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers. Anyone, Anywhere!! @ufc”

Nurmagomedov has recently been linked to rumors of facing Song Yadong in January at UFC 311, which could be the early 2025 matchup to which he was referring.

If Dvalishvili opts for a rematch against Sean O’Malley or Petr Yan, Nurmagomedov, 28, will find himself on the outside looking in, but appears eager to stay active in 2025.

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Jamahal Hill responds to Alex Pereira: ‘We both know the fear that was in your heart!!’

Jamahal Hill vows to meet Alex Pereria in a UFC title rematch and criticizes how he approached recent opponents.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] continues to offer an interesting perspective on his first meeting against UFC champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag], and vows to meet him again in the octagon.

The last time Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) competed was against Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 300. Hill was knocked out a few seconds after Pereira waved off referee Herb Dean’s intervention after a low blow. Since that moment, Hill has offered plenty of commentary on what occurred inside the cage that night.

At UFC 311, Hill will have the opportunity to earn another crack at Pereira if he can get past another fellow former light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka. It’s a fight “Poatan” is also keeping a close eye on.

“Calm down, my son. Pass this test, and Dad will give you a second chance,” Pereira wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in a post with a faceoff photo of Hill and Prochazka.

Soon after the social media message, Hill responded with a few words of his own, criticizing Pereira’s differences in approach to recent opponents while vowing to earn his rematch.

“Beat it funny how you rushed lil ass roundtree and dumbass Jiri like you were the man but waited until the refs got in the way to swing at me!!!” Hill wrote in a quote reply. “You will see me again at 100% soon and we both know the fear that was in your heart!!”

Since knocking out Hill, Pereira has gone on to record two more title defenses by stopping Prochazka at UFC 303 and Khalil Rountree at UFC 307.

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Chael Sonnen: ‘It’s basically retire or fight Tom Aspinall’ for Jon Jones

Chael Sonnen is confident Jon Jones fights Tom Aspinall.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] is confident [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] fights [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag].

Heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) continued to dismiss interim champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) after he retained his belt with a TKO of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

Jones provided a positive update about his fighting future, but with Aspinall still the interim champion, Sonnen says that can only mean one thing.

“The UFC isn’t without leverage here,” Sonnen said on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Daniel Cormier. “If they’ve kept the belt around Tom, it’s to let Jon know, ‘It’s no problem to pull that one off your waist. We’ve got another one sitting right over here. We’ve got world champions – they’re real easy to make over here at the UFC.'”

UFC CEO Dana White shut down Jones’ ambition to fight light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which gives Sonnen even more confidence that it’s Aspinall or bust for Jones – even though Jones isn’t sold on fighting Aspinall.

“I’ll let you know what UFC stands – Jon has two choices: You fight Tom or you do not fight,” Sonnen said. “There is nobody else is going to be offered. In fact, we’ve got a name that came off the board (of possibilities) in terms of Alex Pereira.

“Dana put that to absolute rest, and when the oddsmakers put it as a 6-to-1 spread favoring Jones, that fight is gone. So Jon can sit out and not fight – that’s true. But he’s not going to be in a spot where he could fight someone else. It’s basically retire, (or) it’s fight Tom Aspinall.”

Jones recently posted a series of tweets in which he addressed the potential circumstances if he decides to retire. He continued to stick by his words of an Aspinall fight not adding anything to his legacy.

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Joaquin Buckley: Ian Machado Garry beats Shavkat Rakhmonov ‘by the skin of his teeth’ at UFC 310

Joaquin Buckley sees Ian Machado Garry doing just enough to beat Shavkat Rakhmonov.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] sees [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] doing just enough to beat [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag].

Machado Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets fellow unbeaten contender Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in a five-round welterweight bout Dec. 7 at UFC 310 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Machado Garry at UFC on ESPN 63, before the Irishman was pulled to step in against Rakhmonov a week prior at UFC 310. Although Rakhmonov poses serious threat, Buckley thinks Machado Garry will stick and move his way to a victory.

“A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley told Middle Easy. “Whether that’s with MVP or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

“Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned. But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

Buckley may have lost out on his fight against Machado Garry, but will still get a big opportunity. He takes on former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner on Dec. 14 from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC free fight: Vicente Luque taps former champion Tyron Woodley with slick submission

Watch Vicente Luque end Tyron Woodley’s UFC career with a slick first-round D’Arce choke.

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]’s submission victory over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley may go down as the biggest win of his career.

Luque entered UFC 260 on the heels of back-to-back stoppage victories, setting up a crossroads fight against Woodley at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. After dropping his title to Kamaru Usman, Woodley’s career took a downturn, losing his next two bouts. The meeting with Luque was a do-or-die situation, and “The Silent Assassin” shut the door on Woodley’s UFC career with a first-round D’Arce choke.

Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) returns to the octagon at UFC 310. He takes on Themba Gorimbo (14-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who fills in for the originally scheduled Nick Diaz.

UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN 2, ESPN+) takes at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check out Luque’s big win over Woodley in the video above.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

Anthony Hernandez: Brendan Allen got so much better since first fight, ‘I just think I have his number’

Anthony Hernandez expects to get the best of Brendan Allen again in their rematch.

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] expects to get the best of [autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag] again in their rematch.

Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Allen (24-6 MMA, 12-3 UFC) run things back at a UFC Fight Night event on Feb. 22. In their first fight, which took place in January 2018, Hernandez defeated Allen by unanimous decision to claim the vacant LFA middleweight title.

Currently riding a six-fight winning streak – including a Performance of the Night TKO of Michel Pereira, Hernandez sees a fight against Allen as the correct next step, and he hopes it ends up being another five-round fight.

“It made sense,” Hernandez told Inside Fighting. “He called me out and it’s like, ‘All right, well if you want to f*cking run it back. It’s the perfect opportunity because obviously he’s ahead of me. He’s been healthy and he’s been winning and stuff, and like the kid’s gotten so much f*cking better. I just think I have his number.”

Despite winning their first meeting, Hernandez says he wasn’t as prepared as he wanted to be.

“I remember the first fight was a f*cking b*tch – I’m not going to lie,” Hernandez said. “It was very hard, but I also was hurt, and I didn’t train for that fight. I lowkey took it off the couch. It is what it is. I still won, so it worked out. But I’m stoked that this fight I’m healthy.

“I’m actually going to have a good camp, and I understand the game now. I’ve got this sh*t dialed in, so now it’s just go out there and do what I should have done the first time. The first time was an opportunity I couldn’t pass because I won that, and I got the Contender Series shot.”

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Michael Bisping: If Ian Machado Garry can’t stop the takedown, he will get finished by Shavkat Rakhmonov

Michael Bisping says the ground is lava for Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] says the ground is lava for [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] at UFC 310.

Machado Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) meets fellow unbeaten contender Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in a five-round welterweight bout on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Bisping credits Machado Garry for stepping in to face Rakhmonov in what he sees as a tough stylistic matchup for him.

“You’ve got to have a lot of respect for Ian Garry: He didn’t have to take this fight. But can he stop the takedown?” Bisping said on his YouTube channel.

Rakhmonov has a 100 percent finish rate, most recently submitting Stephen Thompson at UFC 296. Bisping warns Machado Garry of hitting the ground with Rakhmonov.

“Ian Garry is probably going to dance around the octagon and use the exact same game plan what he did against Geoff Neal,” Bisping said. “He’s got to keep Shavkat Rakhmonov off him. If he can’t stop the takedown, he will get finished, and that is no disrespect to Ian Garry.

“He might be able to dance around, use the reach, use the range, use the movement. Be fast, be elusive, be nice and crisp, be light on his toes, and be dedicated enough to not get involved in a brawl. If he does that, Shavkat is going to get a hold of him. If he gets a hold of him, he’s going to get him down, and if he gets him down, it’s going to be lights out.”

Bisping mapped out Machado Garry’s path to victory, which he thinks likely won’t be the most crowd pleasing.

“Can Ian Garry stop the takedown? Because if he can’t, someone’s 0 has got to go, and that’s probably going to be Ian Garry’s,” Bisping said. “But he does have a path to victory of using the range, sticking and moving. The crowd will boo, but who cares about the crowd? Winning is all that matters.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.