UFC News
Islam Makhachev reacts after failing to top pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 294 win
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2023
Islam Makhachev doesn’t get how he isn’t atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Back in February, Alexander Volkanovski was the top pound-for-pound fighter, while Islam Makhachev was ranked second. When they fought, it was Makhachev who won, but Volkanovski remained atop the list. Then, after Jon Jones returned and won the heavyweight title, he reclaimed the top spot.
Alexander Volkanovski confirms plans for short-notice turnaround against Ilia Topuria: "I don't need a break"
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is still planning to fight Ilia Topuria in January. ‘The Great’ is fresh off his short-notice clash with Islam Makhachev on Saturday night. Just two weeks ahead of UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up for a rematch with the lightweight champion. Famously, the featherweight titleholder was reportedly about to enter training camp for a January bout with Ilia Topuria.
Dan Henderson reflects on years of training with Sean Strickland: "You need at least one guy in your gym that does that!"
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2023
Dan Henderson couldn’t be any happier to see Sean Strickland as UFC middleweight champion. ‘Tarzan’ famously got a title shot last month against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. There, Sean Strickland scored an upset win by unanimous decision, becoming champion in the process. While many were shocked to see the bout play out that way, Dan Henderson wasn’t as shocked.
Tyson Fury sends Alexander Volkanovski support after loss to Islam Makhachev: "Get back in there and kick ass!"
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2023
Tyson Fury has sent Alexander Volkanovski some support after his loss at UFC 294. ‘The Great’ returned to the octagon over the weekend for a rematch with Islam Makhachev. In February, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up to face the lightweight champion, suffering a unanimous decision loss. However, stepping up on short notice, circumstances were much different heading into Saturday’s clash.
Tyson Fury explains why he thinks Francis Ngannou is more dangerous than Oleksandr Usyk
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2023
Tyson Fury believes Francis Ngannou is more of a dangerous opponent than Oleksandr Usyk will be. Fury is set to return to the ring on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia as he takes on the former UFC heavyweight champ in Ngannou. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Fury is a massive favorite in, given the fact that it is Ngannou’s boxing debut.
UFC and Bud Light announce record-breaking sponsorship deal: "I feel we are very aligned when it comes to our core values"
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2023
The UFC and Bud Light have agreed to a record-breaking sponsorship deal. According to ESPN, the UFC signed a new partnership deal with Anheuser-Busch to make Bud Light the official beer of the promotion. Sources had told ESPN that it’s the biggest sponsorship deal in the company’s history, but the exact terms of the deal were not announced. However, the deal surpasses the $175 million deal the UFC signed with Crypto.com.
Dana White shares high praise for UFC champion Islam Makhachev: “He could go on a defense run that absolutely blows everybody away that ever held the belt”
Susan Cox - October 24, 2023
Dana White is sharing high praise for UFC champion Islam Makhachev. UFC 294 saw lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) defeat featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-3 MMA) by KO at 3:06 of round 1 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi last Saturday night.
Nathaniel Wood vents his frustration following “blatant cheating” in loss to Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 24, 2023
Nathaniel Wood is venting his frustration following ‘blatant cheating’ in loss to Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294. UFC 294 took place this past Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev has done enough to overthrow Jon Jones in pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev should be the new pound-for-pound #1 ahead of Jon Jones. Last weekend, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 294. In doing so, he successfully retained his UFC lightweight championship and firmly cemented himself as the best 155-pounder on the planet.
Joe Rogan heaps praise on Islam Makhachev for “perfect” knockout over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan heaped praise on Islam Makhachev following his win over Alexander Volkanovski. Last weekend at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev shocked the world. His win over Alexander Volkanovski wasn’t the shocking part – but instead, it was the manner in which he did it. Makhachev landed a nasty head kick before following up with brutal ground and pound, with the referee eventually stepping in to stop the fight.
Khamzat Chimaev debuts in the UFC middleweight rankings following majority decision win over Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev has officially made his way into the UFC’s middleweight rankings following his win over Kamaru Usman. Last weekend at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev went head to head with Kamaru Usman. The two had an incredibly competitive encounter and in the end, it was Chimaev who wound up scoring the majority decision victory. Now, the expectation is that he’ll take on Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight championship, with Dana White saying beforehand that it was a title eliminator fight.
Jon Jones reveals "next chapter" in UFC 295 promo
Zain Bando - October 23, 2023
Current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is less than a month away from defending his heavyweight title against former kingpin Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden. The promotion released its official promo for the mega fight on November 11. Jones reflected upon his reasoning behind going for two championship titles to add to an already illustrious UFC career.
Islam Makhachev urges Alexander Volkanovski to "take some rest" and not fight in January after knockout loss
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2023
Islam Makhachev is hopeful that Alexander Volkanovski won’t return to action in January. Volkanovski stepped up on 11 days’ notice to rematch Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294. Before taking the fight, Volkanovski was rumored to face Ilia Topuria in January to defend his featherweight title but decided to jump on the chance to rematch Makhachev.
Francis Ngannou offers prediction for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295: "He doesn't get the respect he deserves"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
Francis Ngannou believes that Stipe Miocic will likely defeat Jon Jones at UFC 295. ‘The Predator’ is currently preparing for his boxing debut against Tyson Fury later this month. It has to be a little bit awkward for Francis Ngannou, considering that the UFC is staging their heavyweight title fight just a few weeks later. In early November, Jon Jones will look to defend the gold against Stipe Miocic.
Dan Henderson teases potential combat sports comeback: "Bare knuckle? YouTube boxing?"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
It appears that former UFC title challenger Dan Henderson might be making a comeback. ‘Hendo’ is one of the sport’s most beloved fighters, having competed from 1997 to 2016. In that time, he became a PRIDE champion, and Strikeforce champion, and faced some of the biggest athletes the sport has ever seen. Furthermore, Dan Henderson fought for the UFC title on three different occasions.
Johnny Walker unhappy with no-contest result from UFC 294 fight against Magomed Ankalaev: "So we are okay to kick balls"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is still unhappy after his fight with Magomed Ankalaev. For those that are unaware, the two light-heavyweights faced off at UFC 294 on Saturday night. Leading into the bout, both men were hoping to secure a title shot. While Johnny Walker entered the event riding a three-fight winning streak, Magomed Ankalaev hadn’t been seen since a draw with Jan Blachowicz in December.
Khamzat Chimaev sends warning to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “You know how fast I can finish you”
Susan Cox - October 23, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is sending a warning to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is riding high after defeating Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) by majority decision in a middleweight bout last Saturday, October 21st at UFC 294 in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With the victory ‘Borz’ remains undefeated in the Octagon.
Official main card lineup released for next month’s UFC 295: ‘Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic’ event
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2023
The official main card for UFC 295 has been released, featuring the main event clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Next month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its annual visit to Madison Square Garden in New York City. The November card has become a regular feature in the promotional calendar, with some of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts history competing in NYC since the doors first opened.