₦airaland Forum

MMA legend Ronda Rousey has been firm in her decision never to return to the cage, but she recently revealed that she’s finding her way back to her first love, MMA.

Rousey has been out of the octagon for nine years, spending much of that time with her family, raising her kids, making video game appearances, and occasionally headlining in WWE. Before retirement, she was a pioneer in women’s MMA and a trailblazer who helped grow the sport. However, toward the end of her career, Rousey admitted she began to resent MMA and doubted she would ever return.

That perspective shifted when she shared a social media post about falling in love with the sport again. In the post, she uploaded a training clip taken eight weeks after the birth of her second child.

“From eight weeks after having a baby and eight years of stepping away from MMA to eight months postpartum and finding my love for it again,” Rousey wrote in the caption. “The first clip is my first session working with [coach AJ Matthews]. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed at how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū.

“Second clip was yesterday. I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days. The last six months have been an absolute blast. It feels like I have so much left to grow, and without the weight of the world on my shoulders, nothing is holding me back.”

Rousey last competed in late 2016, when Amanda Nunes stopped her via TKO in just 48 seconds. The fight came after her first career loss, a brutal head-kick knockout by Holly Holm. Following her MMA exit, “Rowdy” transitioned to professional wrestling, where she had a successful run in WWE before parting ways with the

Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, has been arrested and charged with a felony after brutally attacking a professional wrestler during an event in California this past August.

Los Angeles County jail records show that Raja Jackson was arrested Thursday morning around 9 a.m. local time and booked shortly before 2 p.m. He is being held on $50,000 bail and remains in custody. TMZ first broke the news of his arrest.

The charge stems from Jackson’s violent assault on pro wrestler Stuart Smith, known by his ring name Syko Stu, at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles. Jackson stormed the ring, slammed Smith to the canvas, and continued to rain down punches even after Smith appeared to be unconscious. Other wrestlers eventually dragged him away.

Smith was hospitalized and spent several days in intensive care. His family later revealed that he suffered trauma to both jaws, a laceration to his upper lip, a fractured maxilla bone, and the loss of several teeth.

The incident was fueled by an earlier altercation that same day. Smith mistakenly struck Jackson with a beer can, believing he was another wrestler helping to hype the show. A video later showed Smith apologizing and shaking hands with Jackson, but the damage was already done. Hours later, Jackson went live on social media, promising to get revenge “for real” during the match.

Los Angeles police confirmed that an investigation into the assault began shortly after the event, but it took several weeks before charges were filed. With Jackson now in custody, the felony case against him is officially underway.

The fallout has extended to his family. Rampage Jackson admitted in an interview with Ariel Helwani that he cut contact with his son following the attack.

“He dishonored my name,” Rampage said. “I know he’s my f–king son. I’m not cutting him off for forever. I just haven’t talked to him. I talked to him after this s–t happened and he hid the fact that he did this s–t and you know put my other kids at danger based off what other people said. I just can’t talk to him right now.”

Raja Jackson now faces serious consequences for the violent outburst that left Smith badly injured and put his own career and family ties in jeopardy.

UFC star Conor McGregor has pulled out of his run for Ireland’s presidency as he prepares for the upcoming UFC White House card.

The MMA legend announced on Sunday that he will withdraw from the presidential race scheduled for next month.

“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” McGregor wrote on Twitter. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time. While I will not contest this election, my commitment to Ireland does not end here. I will continue to serve my people by using my international platform to promote Irish interests abroad, strengthen our economic opportunities, and advocate for transparency and responsibility in public life at home.

“This campaign has sparked an important conversation about democracy in Ireland, about who gets to stand, who gets to choose, and how we can ensure that the presidency truly belongs to the people. That conversation will not end with my withdrawal.”

McGregor launched his campaign after meeting with Donald Trump at the White House and even received an endorsement from billionaire Elon Musk.

Despite approval from notable influencers, McGregor continues to face controversy. In 2018, he was accused of raping Nikita Hand, and she was awarded €250,000 after a jury in Dublin found him liable. Another sexual assault case surfaced in 2023 when a woman accused him of assault during the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. Previously, McGregor pleaded guilty to assault in a 2019 incident where he punched an elderly man during an argument inside a Dublin bar.

Notwithstanding his rocky past, McGregor was eager to take a political position, declaring that he hoped to raise issues concerning immigration if elected. However, McGregor did not meet the requirements, as a potential candidate must be endorsed by at least 20 members of Parliament.

Following his withdrawal, McGregor revealed that stepping back does not mean losing interest. The fighter said he remains committed to Ireland’s politics and intends to stay involved.

“My first venture into politics, and although I have chosen to withdraw this round, meaningful progress has been made,” McGregor said. “I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.”

McGregor has now shifted his full attention back to MMA. After a four-year hiatus due to his injury in a bout with Dustin Poirier, he has re-entered the anti-doping program and awaits a call from UFC president Dana White.

On Saturday, Jean Silva suffered a brutal loss to Diego Lopes at UFC Noche in a featherweight bout.

The defeat was Silva’s first, as many of his prior fights ended within the first round. Silva was unsatisfied with the result, feeling the referee stopped the bout too soon despite him being caught in a ground-and-pound. He argued against the stoppage and even took a swing at Lopes after the fight had been called.

The setback is significant for Silva, as his unblemished record is now gone. The loss also marks the end of an era for the Fighting Nerds, with two other members of the group, Caio Borralho and Mauricio Ruffy, also suffering defeats in their previous matches.

On Sunday, Silva posted a statement on social media addressing the loss.

“Unfortunately, yesterday the emotion got the better of me,” Silva said in Portuguese (English translation via Championship Rounds). “I was seeing well in the second round, but I ended up rushing in with everything just wanting to throw down.”

“I ended up fighting alone, I wasn’t connected with my team,” Silva added. “So the responsibility is all mine for this loss.”

Following the setback, critics have begun questioning the validity of the fighters’ previous records and criticising their past results. Through it all, Silva remains unbothered and promises his team will bounce back.

“One thing you guys were right about: The Fighting Nerds lost three in a row,” Silva said. “So the three of us must be making similar mistakes. So for sure, me, Caio, and Ruffy will have a meeting. We’ll figure this out and improve. Whether people like it or not, I’m sorry, but we’ll be back.”

David Martinez outlasts Rob Font in a hard-fought three-round showdown, showcasing grit and resilience throughout the fight. The Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, hosted an exciting bantamweight co-main event on Saturday, September 13, 2025, as David “Black Spartan” Martinez takes on Rob Font at UFC Noche.

Rob Font has faced many of the division’s toughest names, and though setbacks have tested him, he continues to prove his worth as a dangerous contender. Font’s most recent success came on February 22, 2025, when he edged Jean Matsumoto via split decision in UFC Seattle. Just month's earlier, in October 2024 he put on a composed performance against Kyler Philipps earning a unanimous decision win in UFC Vegas 99. Those victories helped Font bounce back from a difficult outing in December 2023, when he lost a unanimous decision to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

David Martínez his opponent made headlines on October 2024, when he secured a unanimous decision victory over Xavier Franklin on Dana White’s Contender Series, earning his UFC contract. He carried that momentum into his promotional debut on March 29, 2025, in Mexico City, where he impressed the home crowd by finishing Saimon Oliveira with a first-round TKO in UFC Mexico city. That win solidified him as a name to watch in the bantamweight division and set the stage for his biggest test yet.

Rob Font and David Martinez opened at a measured pace, with both fighters testing range through leg kicks. Martinez fired first, landing a sharp kick, but Font quickly answered back. They circled the Octagon trading shots, with Font mixing in crisp punching combinations that nearly dropped Martinez. David returned fire with side kicks, while Font pressed him against the fence looking for control. Martinez managed to break free, only for Font to clip him with a flurry that briefly had him trapped on the cage. The round closed with Martinez hammering home several heavy leg kicks that drew a big reaction from crowd.

Round two began with Font cutting off the cage and pinning Martinez against the fence. The Mexican prospect stayed composed, reversing position and creating space to reset in the center. The two fighters continued trading jabs, hooks, and low kicks, before Martinez muscled Font into the cage. Font responded with another takedown attempt, but Martinez stuffed it and landed clean punches on the break. With seconds left, Martinez shot for his own takedown, but before he could finish there was no more time.

The third round kicked off at a faster pace, with both men letting their hands go. Font worked behind his boxing combinations, while Martinez stayed aggressive with kicks and pressure. As the final minute approached, Martinez surged, landing heavy punches that wobbled Font and dropped him to the mat. Martínez poured on ground-and-pound until the horn. When the official result came, David Martinez earned a unanimous decision victory, capping off the biggest win of his career to date.

Main Card

Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via second-round TKO (4:48)

David Martinez def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Rafa Garcia def. Jared Gordon via third-round TKO (2:27)

Kelvin Gastelum def. Dustin Stoltzfus via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Alexander Hernandez def. Diego Ferreira via second-round TKO (3:46)

Santiago Luna def. Quang Le via first-round KO (2;48)

Prelims

Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Daniel Medina via submission (RNC) (R1, 4:21)

Joaquim Silva def. Claudio Puelles via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Tatiana Suarez def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Jesus Aguilar def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas ruled no-contest (accidental foul) (R1, 0:51)

Alden Coria def. Alessandro Costa via third-round TKO (0:47)

Montserrat Rendon def. Alice Pereira via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Daniil Donchenko def. Rodrigo Sezinando

Boxing star Terence Crawford is set to face Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas this Saturday, but it seems he still has some bad blood to settle with UFC lightweight Ilia Topuria.

The boxer recently came into Topuria’s radar when he refused to acknowledge the lightweight champ as a formidable boxer, instead picking Cody Garbrandt. In response, Topuria said he wouldn’t have a problem taking out Crawford if there was ever a crossover fight.

“I won’t talk about what would happen between me and Crawford in an Octagon, I’ll talk about what would happen in a ring,” Topuria tweeted. “I put him to sleep in the first contact!!”

At the Canelo vs. Crawford media day Wednesday in Las Vegas, Crawford got wind of these claims and dismissed them as a silly proclamation, pointing out that Topuria had never been in a boxing ring before.

“That dude’s drunk,” Crawford said. “A lot of MMA guys, they drink a lot, so he must have been on that alcohol that day.”

Rather than worrying about what Topuria has to say, Crawford is focused on his fight this weekend. On Saturday, Crawford takes on Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title. It’s one of the biggest fights in recent boxing history, and Crawford is excited about the prospect.

“I don’t think losing tarnishes me or Canelo’s legacy,” Crawford said. “I think that Canelo is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and I think that I’m a first-ballot Hall of Famer. So whether win, lose, or draw, both of us are going into the Hall of Fame, and that’s the ultimate goal at the end of the day, to be named with all the great fighters that came before us, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for all that we’ve done in the sport of boxing.”

Crawford has every confidence he will leave Las Vegas on Saturday with his third set of undisputed titles.

“I’m 1000 percent sure now,” Crawford said. “You’ve got to think, going into a fight, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You could get injuries, he could get injuries. There are so many things that go on in a boxing match, the judges, the ref, preparation. So you’re not 100 percent sure. If a fighter says I’m 1000 percent sure, they’re lying, because you have to go out there and perform at the end of the day. And I’m more than ready to go out there and perform this Saturday.”

Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes he knows why Caio Borralho lost his bout against Nassourdine Imavov.

Borralho previously weighed in as the backup fighter for the UFC 319 main event between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. While Borralho stayed on the sidelines, Imavov prepared for his upcoming fight. According to Strickland, that decision made a bigger difference than Borralho realized. The former champion argued that Borralho’s choice to cut weight twice in a short period hurt his training and led to his defeat.

“Caio is my buddy, but he’s an idiot,” Strickland wrote on Twitter. “He trained with us and was useless.
Me: What’s wrong with you?


Caio: I’m cutting, I’m an alternate.

"So you’re giving up four weeks of your camp cutting weight twice while having a fight coming up? Whoever told you to do that, please hit him.”

“I didn’t say anything because I wanted to keep his spirits up, but he really took some bad advice from someone,” Strickland added. “That fight wasn’t him. It was missing four weeks of training cutting weight twice.”

“What do you think happens when you kill your body so much in such a short period of time?” Strickland said in response to a commenter. “Exactly that.”

If anyone can speak on Borralho’s preparation, it’s Strickland, who recently trained with him. He said Borralho wasn’t in his best fight shape when he stepped into the octagon on Saturday, and that inevitably led to his loss.

For more MMA news, checkout Afrocombat.com

Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had all the charges dropped after being accused of fleeing the scene of a car accident near his home in Albuquerque.

The fighter was due for a court appearance, but the charges were dropped. On Tuesday, Jones’ attorney, Christopher Dodd, released a statement announcing that misdemeanor charges stemming from a February incident, where Jones was accused of fleeing the scene of an accident, had been dismissed by the state of New Mexico.

Shortly after the news broke, Jon Jones took to social media to release his own statement, thanking the district attorney’s office for their work and acknowledging that his past mistakes may have influenced the court of public opinion.

“I want to begin by thanking the district attorney’s office for carefully reviewing the facts and ultimately vindicating me completely. I have always believed in the importance of truth and fairness, and I am grateful that the evidence spoke for itself. The simple fact is this: I was never there. I never even left my house that night, and all the evidence proved that.

“In this case, there was a rush to judgment before any real evidence was gathered. I understand that, in the court of public opinion, the allegations may have seemed believable, especially given my past mistakes. But by the time these claims were made public, I had just retired from competition, and that moment was stolen from me by someone who made false accusations to avoid a DWI and any real accountability.

“I sincerely hope that this individual is held responsible by Albuquerque’s law enforcement. They not only disrupted my retirement but also made our police department appear negligent in the process. It is deeply troubling that, in today’s world, a single false accusation can take so much away from someone before any evidence is even considered.”

Jones recently hung up his UFC gloves after a seven-month hiatus from competition. However, following the announcement of the UFC White House card, he has since reversed his retirement decision and is targeting an octagon return at the event.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, Jon Jones is also one of its most decorated champions. However, his career has been shadowed by controversy. In addition to this latest case, Jones was involved in an altercation with a drug-testing agent in March 2024. His record also includes a domestic violence arrest in 2021, a DUI in 2012, and an infamous hit-and-run in 2015 that cost him his UFC light heavyweight title.

After years of making tough decisions, Ryan Gandra’s hard work has finally paid off, one of which is his recent UFC contract bout with Trent Miller.

The fighter was invited by UFC bantamweight Norma Dumont to be a part of Marco Tulio’s camp, and soon after, he was selected to compete on DWCS. Around that same time, Gandra learned his partner was pregnant.

“I had no inspiration,” Ryan Gandra said. “I was turning 30, but then I heard Cesar Almeida tell his story. I’ve followed Cesinha’s career for many years, even before he was in the UFC, and he said the same thing. When you get to a certain age, you kind of lose hope. When David’s news came, I thought to myself, ‘It’s not an if anymore, it will happen. I’ll make it happen."

“David will be one of my biggest inspirations. He came at the right time. I’ve had several relationships but never thought I would be a dad, and that news came right before the Contender.”

Ryan Gandra also had the opportunity to be part of Paulo Costa’s latest training camp, as he works with coach Johnny Vieira, and he feels prepared to earn a UFC deal Tuesday night.

“It’s not about winning, it’s about impressing,” Gandra said. “Did you see the first [DWCS] card? Guys didn’t deliver. The fear of losing takes away the desire to win, right? Strategy is very important, but it’s not about the strategy [at DWCS]. It’s about making things happen. You have to deliver. If your opponent doesn’t want to fight, you have to make them fight.”

Ryan Gandra holds a 7-1 pro record and has been victorious in his past six fights, with four finishes, the last two under the LFA banner.

For more MMA updates and combat news visit Afrocombat.com

UFC star and former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley admits he got lost trying to be like MMA icon Conor McGregor.

The former champion had a good run during his reign as champ, and he credits it to his admiration of former two-weight champion McGregor. O’Malley agreed that he liked the comparison with McGregor and tried as much as possible to be like the fighter in terms of success.

"One hundred percent (I viewed McGregor as a role model)," O'Malley said on "Between Rounds." "The way he carried himself into fights, the confidence to say what he thought was going to happen – 'I'm going to knock this dude out in Round 2.' I got a lot out of that. I was like, 'OK, I can be confident like that.' I feel like I got lost, almost, in a sense, where I wanted to be like Conor too much instead of being like myself."

However, O’Malley has come to terms with the fact that he would have to do a lot more and work harder toward achieving those heights. Since his loss to Merab Dvalishvili, O’Malley has been on the way to redeeming himself, but that journey seems to be proving harder than he thought.

"That was my second title defense, and I was like, 'I want this to be big,'" O'Malley said. "I didn't feel like it was big. I didn't feel like Merab was a big name. I had to force it. It was at The Sphere. I felt like I had to create something and I didn't like how that made me feel, in a sense, because I didn't hate Merab. I would have loved to knock him out. ... I feel like I made that one too personal, and I didn't like that – but that was kind of the only time I really forced anything. The 'Chito' beef I felt was real. I didn't like that. That was a real one, but the Merab one I feel like I forced a little bit."

After his loss, “Suga” was unable to capture the belt in a rematch at UFC 316. The fighter has since undergone surgery and has taken time off to reflect on his career.

"I do think there's an entertainment aspect that UFC people need to kinda do to become a superstar," O'Malley said. "You gotta be yourself, and then you can add on to that a little bit. Yeah, finding that balance. There's not someone there to teach you. There's not a book."

Fabian Edwards produced the biggest moment of his career at PFL 10, delivering a stunning head kick knockout against Dalton Rosta that instantly drew comparisons to his brother Leon Edwards’ famous finish over Kamaru Usman. The knockout crowned Fabian as the PFL middleweight tournament champion, completing his redemption arc and placing the Edwards name firmly at the center of MMA history once again.

The main event started with Edwards working inside leg kicks to set the tone, but Rosta responded with pressure and takedowns that gave him the early edge. The fight turned in the third round when Edwards unleashed the head kick that Rosta never saw coming. The strike landed flush, sending Rosta crashing to the canvas where he lay motionless before regaining his feet. The official stoppage came at 1:28 of the round, giving Edwards the knockout win and the $500,000 tournament prize.

Leon Edwards was cageside and immediately rushed into the cage to celebrate with his brother. The moment carried extra weight, as Fabian’s knockout came almost exactly three years to the day after Leon’s iconic head kick that won him the UFC welterweight title. Fabian’s finish came on August 21, 2025, sealing the family’s reputation for dramatic, fight-ending head shots.

“That is team headshot dead,” Fabian Edwards said after the victory. “I’m so grateful. Last year in October, I lost the championship fight to Johnny Eblen. Twelve months on, I’m the PFL champ.”

Edwards entered the PFL tournament with a chip on his shoulder, eager to rebound from his two losses to Eblen. He delivered with a knockout win over former PFL champion Impa Kasanganay in the opening round and followed it up by defeating Josh Silveira to punch his ticket to the finals. Against Rosta, he had to battle through adversity in the early rounds but showed composure before landing the head kick that instantly changed the fight.

Following the victory, Edwards locked eyes with new PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis, who upset Johnny Eblen earlier in the year. Van Steenis already holds a split-decision win over Edwards from 2020, and now the two are on a collision course for a rematch, this time with the unified PFL middleweight title on the line.

The PFL 10 card also crowned other champions. Oleg Popov edged Alexander Romanov in a sluggish heavyweight final, relying on leg kicks to earn a split decision and take home the $500,000 prize. In the light heavyweight tournament, Antonio Carlos Jr. overcame a wild fight with Sullivan Cauley to score a second-round rear-naked choke submission after multiple knockdowns and furious exchanges.

The night, however, belonged to Fabian Edwards. With the pressure of family legacy and his brother watching from cageside, Edwards delivered a knockout that mirrored one of the most iconic moments in MMA history. It was not just a tournament win — it was a statement that Fabian Edwards is carving his own place in the sport while carrying the Edwards name forward.

PFL Card

Fabian Edwards def. Dalton Rosta via round three knockout (head kick)

Oleg Popov def. Alexander Romanov via split decision

Antonio Carlos Jr. def. Sullivan Cauley via round two submission (rear-naked choke)

Alexei Pergande def. Ethan Goss via round one submission (D’arce choke)

Lazaro Dayron def. Bryce Meredith via round three TKO (punches)

Impa Kasanganay def. Andrew Sanchez via round three TKO (punches)

Rasul Magomedov def. Guilherme Viana via unanimous decision

Sergey Bilostenniy def. Karl Williams via round two TKO (punches)

Josh Silveira def. Murad Ramazanov

J.P. Saint Louis def. Tyler Ray via unanimous decision

Former Ultimate Fighter winner Bryan Battle has been released from the UFC after missing weight for the second straight time.

Battle was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC 319, but the fight was canceled after he failed to make weight. Days later, the promotion officially released him from his contract. The move didn’t come as a major surprise, as Battle had already struggled with weight issues at welterweight and later at middleweight, where he came in at 190 pounds — four pounds over the non-title limit. Overall, he missed weight three times during his UFC run.

Despite the setback, Battle remains optimistic about his future. Battle admitted that cutting weight has become tougher as he gets older.

“Circumstances aside, I didn’t make weight for the last one. It was kind of hard getting another fight,” Bryan Battle told MMA Fighting ahead of UFC 319. “I told my agent, I’m not afraid of these dudes up at middleweight. I used to fight there. I’m a pretty big guy myself. I’m not afraid of these middleweights and as soon as I said that, a fight came as fast as you know what.

“I would love to go back down to welterweight at some point. Just because I feel like the story’s not finished down there. I’m a prizefighter. Whoever they pay me to fight is who I’m going to fight.”

“I’m getting older, and I think my body just can’t do the things it used to do. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake, a walk in the park,” he said. “When you’re cutting weight and things go south — once things start going downhill, it’s hard to recover from it.”

Even after his release, Battle remains confident that he’ll make a return to the sport’s biggest stage.

“Regardless, no matter what happens, I know I’m still one of the best on the planet, so I know I’ll be back,” he said. “If I have to go out, whoop some ass, prove myself, and show that I can still do it and still make weight, then that’s what I’ll go do. I’ll come back and fulfill my potential, but I’m in a place right now where I don’t feel entitled to anything. I would understand if the UFC releases me. If they’re gracious, I’ll be extremely thankful for that. But this is just a time where I must focus on the day-to-day.”

During his UFC career, Bryan Battle went 7-1 with one no-contest, winning The Ultimate Fighter 29 and earning notable victories over Randy Brown, Kevin Jousset, Tresean Gore, and Gabe Green.

Francis Ngannou has finally addressed his absence from the recent PFL Africa events, an issue that sparked speculation and even public criticism from PFL CEO Donn Davis.

As chairman of PFL Africa, Francis Ngannou has been one of the biggest advocates for growing mixed martial arts on the continent. His absence from the first two shows raised questions, especially after Davis publicly admitted he was disappointed Ngannou wasn’t in attendance. For some, it even fueled rumors of tension between Ngannou and the promotion.

Ngannou cleared the air during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, explaining that his decision was rooted in how the events were presented.

“As far as my reaction, I don’t think it was something he should have bring out there,” Ngannou said. “At least if it was me, I wouldn’t keep it out there. Now it gets in the position that we have to bring up context, like why didn’t I come there. He didn’t know why I didn’t come. I’ve been waiting for this for two years, and this was the big part of it: So, when you’re still working on something, unless you think it’s off, it’s not a thing that you bring it outside. I wasn’t OK with something, but I wasn’t the one that was going to take it out publicly.”

The inaugural PFL Africa event took place July 19 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa, featuring 14 fights. However, the structure of the card split the branding: the undercard was billed as PFL Africa, while the main card was labeled PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, headlined by Johnny Eblen vs. Costello van Steenis. For Ngannou, the setup diminished the importance of African fighters.

“For example, if you want to know what exactly is the reason I wasn’t there, I wasn’t very OK with the first PFL Africa event seeming to be like an undercard,” Ngannou explained. “That wasn’t my decision, and I wasn’t down for it, but I expressed my feelings to them.”

Although the card featured names like A.J. McKee and Dakota Ditcheva, Ngannou felt the spotlight should have been reserved for African fighters. His vision for PFL Africa has always been about giving homegrown talent a platform to shine, not relegating them to a secondary position.

Ngannou also missed the second event on August 9. While that card came closer to the vision he had for the promotion, it still didn’t fully align with his expectations.

“Matter of circumstances, and again, we were still working on it,” Ngannou said. “This is not the only event. PFL Africa is something that is made to be run forever. So, as we take the time that it takes to set things up right, then the company will run properly. So, I don’t have any problem with that. I don’t have any problem with going, as long as we get things right and feel comfortable. Because I’m going there, stepping forward, putting myself in line as a guarantee. So, at least I’m going to make sure I’m going to stand by what I’m saying.”

Despite Davis’ public comments, Ngannou pointed out that most of his discussions about PFL Africa’s future have been with Peter Murray and other executives. He downplayed any talk of friction with the company, making it clear his absence was a matter of principle.

For Ngannou, this isn’t about skipping events, it’s about building a lasting foundation. His vision for PFL Africa is to create a platform where African MMA talent isn’t just featured but celebrated as the centerpiece of the show.

Dricus Du Plessis’ reign as middleweight champion came to an end at UFC 319, where he was unable to stop Khamzat Chimaev’s relentless grappling over five rounds.

The South African standout was taken down repeatedly and neutralized on the canvas, losing his title by unanimous decision on all three scorecards. With the win, Chimaev improved to 15-0 and claimed the UFC middleweight crown, while Du Plessis suffered the first loss of his UFC career.

Chimaev executed a dominant game plan, keeping Du Plessis from mounting any sustained offense. While Du Plessis rallied late in the fifth round, pushing for a dramatic finish, the comeback fell short as “Borz” controlled the fight from start to finish.

After the fight, Du Plessis praised Chimaev’s skill and gave him full credit for the victory.

“The man has incredible control on the top,” Du Plessis said. “He was just like a blanket. It wasn’t a matter of strength, it wasn’t that physical, it was just almost as if he knew what your next move was going to be. He got it without using too much power and I had to decide am I going to be on my back or have him on my back? At the end, I went for it, had the back, I could almost taste that victory.”

Du Plessis, who entered UFC 319 on an 11-fight win streak dating back to 2018, vowed that this setback would not be the end of his championship journey.

“But big ups to Khamzat, he deserves this, 100 percent,” Du Plessis said. “He beat me fair and square tonight, he was the better man tonight, and I’ll be back. I’m coming to get my belt back. For now, it’s his and he deserves it.”

The middleweight division is stacked with contenders ready to challenge Chimaev, including Caio Borralho, Nassourdine Imavov, Reinier de Ridder, Anthony Hernandez, and Paulo Costa. For Du Plessis, the road back to the title won’t be easy, but his determination remains clear.

Du Plessis may have lost the belt, but his words after the fight made one thing certain, he fully intends to return to championship form and reclaim UFC gold.

The countdown is on for AKO 10, and this isn’t just another night of fights, it’s a moment that could shift the landscape of African MMA forever.

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Velodrome in Abuja will transform into a center of adrenaline, anticipation, and history as the first-ever African Lightweight Championship takes center stage. Jean Do Santos and Jibrin Baba will step into the cage with one goal: to claim the crown and etch their names into the sport’s legacy.

Jean Do Santos isn’t coming in cold. His performance at AKO 9 on June 13 was nothing short of a masterclass—calm under pressure, sharp in execution, and devastating in the finish. It took him just two minutes and forty-five seconds to dismantle Emmanuel Nworie with a slick submission in the first round. That kind of dominance isn’t accidental; it’s the mark of a fighter who knows exactly what he’s there to do. And now, with gold on the line, expect him to crank that intensity up to another level.

Jibrin Baba stands on the other side, hungry and ready to make his own statement. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both men understand that the winner won’t just be holding a belt, they’ll be holding the keys to a new era in African MMA. The Velodrome crowd will be unforgiving, the atmosphere charged with cheers, and the raw energy that only a title fight can bring.

What makes AKO 10 even more intriguing is the possibility of surprise matchups on the card. Past events have shown that the promotion loves to throw in curveballs, unexpected rivalries, last-minute challenges, and fighters stepping up to prove they belong in the spotlight. With all eyes on the main event, the undercard could carry some explosive moments of its own.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to feel the rush, this is it. Two warriors will collide for glory. On August 23 in Abuja, we’re not just getting a fight, we’re getting a revolution. And when it’s over, one name will echo through African MMA for years to come.

Two Japanese boxers have tragically died from brain injuries sustained during separate bouts on the same fight card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on Aug. 2.

Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, fought to a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. Shortly after the fight, Kotari lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, bleeding between the skull and brain. On Friday, it was announced that he had died from his injuries.

“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” the World Boxing Organization posted. “The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.”

Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, suffered a similar fate. He was knocked out by Yoji Saito and underwent a craniotomy to treat a subdural hematoma. Despite the surgery, Urakawa passed away on Saturday.

“The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,” the WBO said in a statement.

“This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”

The World Boxing Council also expressed grief over Kotari’s death. “The WBC and its President, Mauricio Sulaiman, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time,” the statement read.

This is not the first time the sport has faced such heartbreak this year. In February, 28-year-old Irish super-featherweight John Cooney died from a brain injury after being stopped in his first Celtic title defense.

The UFC’s new $7.7 billion broadcast partnership with Paramount and CBS has stirred excitement among fans but sparked sharp criticism from one of the sport’s greatest champions.

The seven-year agreement includes 43 annual events—13 of them numbered—and moves away from the traditional pay-per-view model in the United States. Starting in January, all UFC events will stream live on Paramount+, ending decades of pay-per-view as a fixture for American fans.

While the deal is a landmark win for the UFC as a promotion, Georges St-Pierre believes it will hurt the athletes.

“It could be good for the UFC, as a promoter, terrible for the fighters because when I was competing, I was able to have a great argument to negotiate on my contract,” st-Pierre told Covers. “I could tell the UFC, ‘Hey, if you want me to do all the promotion, I want to become a partner. I want a piece of the pie to negotiate a part of the pay-per-view revenue. Because if I’m doing all the promotion, I’m helping you, but you need to help me. You need to make me a partner.’ So it might be a bad thing for the fighters in a way that they have less leverage.”

St-Pierre stressed that the change strips fighters—especially big names—of a vital bargaining chip. Without pay-per-view revenue as a measurable performance metric, fighters could find it harder to negotiate higher pay.

“That’s what I think,” st-Pierre said. “I think it’s going to take off some leverage for the big names to have an argument to negotiate more money.”

Despite the UFC’s projected $1.1 billion annual media rights revenue from the deal, St-Pierre remains convinced that fighter pay could suffer. UFC executives have not yet confirmed whether salaries will rise under the new agreement.

Fighter pay has long been a contentious issue in mixed martial arts. St-Pierre, a former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion and a 2020 Hall of Fame inductee, has consistently voiced his opinion when he feels the promotion’s business moves put fighters at a disadvantage. His latest comments put him in the middle of another high-profile debate about the balance between organizational growth and athlete compensation.

Paramount has secured a groundbreaking $7.7 billion agreement to become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship[UFC], marking the largest deal under new CEO David Ellison’s leadership. The seven-year contract, beginning in 2026, will see Paramount stream all 13 of UFC’s marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights each year on Paramount+, with select bouts also airing on CBS.

The agreement averages $1.1 billion annually, with payments weighted toward higher values in later years. Crucially, the deal ends UFC’s long-standing U.S. pay-per-view model, making premium fights available at no extra cost to Paramount+ subscribers.

“UFC is a unicorn asset that comes up about once a decade,” Ellison said. “With UFC, we now have a strong year-round sports offering alongside the NFL, UEFA, the Masters, and March Madness. Eliminating the paywall will create an amazing experience for fans.”


Ellison, who took the helm following Skydance’s takeover of Paramount, said live sports are central to boosting engagement–with Taylor vs Serrano 3 breaking netflix streaming records— and subscriber retention across the company’s broadcast and streaming platforms. He also confirmed Paramount’s right to produce original UFC-based content with UFC approval, similar to how Netflix developed F1: The Movie.


TKO Group Holdings, UFC’s parent company, chose Paramount after a highly competitive bidding process. “We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision,” said Ari Emanuel, TKO’s executive chair and CEO. “This is a company that will prioritize technology to enhance storytelling and the viewing experience.”


Mark Shapiro, TKO’s president and COO, stressed the importance of accessibility: “The pay-per-view model is outdated. When fans realize they can get UFC’s numbered fights and full portfolio for $12.99 a month on Paramount+, that’s the message we want to amplify.”


UFC currently hosts 43 live events annually, generating more than 350 hours of live content broadcast in over 210 countries. With around 600 fighters from 75 nations, its fan base in the U.S. alone has grown by 25% since 2019 — growth achieved despite being locked behind ESPN’s double paywall.

Paramount’s deal comes amid a surge in sports media rights acquisitions. Just days earlier, TKO finalized a $1.6 billion deal with Disney’s ESPN for WWE’s premium live events. Shapiro revealed that negotiations for the UFC agreement were completed within 48 hours of Skydance’s acquisition closing, with Paramount opting to buy the full package rather than splitting Fight Nights and premium events between different partners.


Looking ahead, Paramount also intends to pursue UFC’s international broadcast rights, which become available on a rolling basis. The company will have a 30-day exclusive negotiation window when each market’s rights come up for renewal.


With Paramount signing of UFC now official, the move not only reshapes the MMA broadcasting landscape but also positions Paramount+ as a powerhouse in the sports streaming arena, offering fight fans access to the Octagon without the pay-per-view price tag.

In a dominant performance, Hernandez smothers Dolidze with relentless pressure, finishes with round 4 choke. From start to finish, Hernandez’s nonstop pace broke Dolidze before locking in the submission at 2:45 of Round 4.

On Saturday, August 9, the UFC makes its highly anticipated return to the Octagon at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez. Headlining the card was a pivotal middleweight clash between Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez. With both fighters looking to climb the ladder toward title contention, fans had a high-stakes, action-packed showdown in the main event. One is clawing his way back into title contention. The other is riding a seven-fight winning wave with no intention of slowing down.

Roman Dolidze hasn’t had the best run lately. It all began with a stumble. In February 2024, Dolidze dropped a majority decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the five-round main event at UFC Fight Night 235, a tactical affair where Dolidze showed flashes of power but couldn’t convince all three judges But since then, he’s gone on a tear. In June 2024, he stepped in on short notice at UFC 303 to defeat Anthony Smith via unanimous decision, shaking off ring rust and re-establishing his grit. Then in October, he faced Kevin Holland at UFC 307 and finished him via first-round TKO. Most recently, in March 2025, he earned a clear unanimous decision win against Marvin Vettori avenging a prior loss and proving he’s not done just yet.

Once known solely for his ground game, Anthony Hernandez has transformed into one of the most well-rounded, dangerous middleweights in the UFC today. Hernandez has been undefeated since 2021, and his last three victories have only solidified his standing as a nightmare matchup for just about anyone: In February 2024, he submitted Roman Kopylov via rear-naked choke at UFC 298, reminding the world of his suffocating pressure and top-tier jiu-jitsu

In October, he TKO’d Michel Pereira in the fifth round of a grueling battle, showing off not just heart but serious finishing instincts. And just this past February 2025, Hernandez outworked Brendan Allen over three hard rounds to earn a unanimous decision win.

Anthony Hernandez made the walk to the Octagon first, looking pumped. They touched gloves to start. Hernandez shot early for a single-leg takedown but they ended up trading punches and leg kicks. Hernandez crushed Dolidze with a flurry that got the crowd reacting. Dolidze pushed Hernandez to the fence, but Hernandez fought his way free, landed punches, and they returned to the center. Hernandez then pinned Dolidze against the cage and scored a takedown. They stood back up, but Hernandez put Dolidze on the cage again. Dolidze defended well and escaped, but right before the round ended, Hernandez secured another takedown.


Round 2 opened with another glove touch. Seconds later, Hernandez got another takedown. They traded shots, but Hernandez stayed on him, pinning and taking him down again. Almost immediately, Hernandez shot for another takedown and landed it. Dolidze, looking tired, tried to trap Hernandez with his legs from the bottom, but Hernandez controlled the position. He landed clean punches that Dolidze couldn’t fully avoid, then scored yet another takedown. Dolidze managed to scramble out but Hernandez stayed on him, landing more punches until the end of the round.

Round 3 had Dolidze slowing down. He threw a right hand, Hernandez ducked, locked the body, and hit a hip toss. Dolidze rolled, but Hernandez kept the pressure. Dolidze’s face was showing damage, while Hernandez looked fresh. In the clinch, Dolidze grabbed the fence but couldn’t stop Hernandez from controlling him. Hernandez rode him like a big brother, not letting him up. When they stood, Hernandez hurt him with a nasty right hand, forced him into turtle position, and landed big knees to the body. Dolidze’s corner urged him to stand, but Hernandez slammed him down again with an arm-triangle setup. At this point, Hernandez was running him over.


Round 4 started slower. Hernandez threw a leg kick that barely landed, and they almost ended up on the mat. Less than two minutes in, Hernandez got another takedown, kept top control, and when Dolidze tried to escape, Hernandez took him down again. He secured the choke, and Dolidze tapped at 2:45 of the fourth round. The stoppage came at 2:45 in the fourth round with Hernandez securing his eighth win in a row overall.

“I was pissed off my last fight I came in with torn ribs. It went to decision,” Hernandez said after the win. “I just had to do what I had to do to win. This time, I wanted to come show the f*ck out with my hands, my f*cking wrestling, my jiu-jitsu. Show I can do everything…“I want a title shot. What do I f*cking got to do? I work my butt off. I push myself to the limit everyday. All I know is violence and war. Give me a title shot and I promise I’ll be the next champ.”

It was a masterclass in pressure, control, and grit from Anthony Hernandez. From the opening bell to the final choke, he never gave Dolidze a moment to breathe, proving once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the division.