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Tony Ferguson never got his showdown with longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, but “El Cucuy” remains certain he could have beaten not just Nurmagomedov, but his protégé Islam Makhachev.

Nurmagomedov and Makhachev have cemented themselves as two of MMA’s most dominant fighters, boasting a combined 57-1 record and seven lightweight title defenses. Nurmagomedov, now retired, recently cornered Makhachev during his UFC 322 welterweight championship victory over Jack Della Maddalena.

During Khabib’s reign, multiple matchups with Ferguson were scheduled, but injuries, illnesses, and timing issues repeatedly cancelled the fights, leaving fans frustrated. When Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, the dream fight was put to rest for good.

Even now, at 41, Ferguson remains confident he could have solved the puzzle of the undefeated Khabib and believes he could still give Makhachev a run for his money.

“To me, in my opinion, Islam was one of the dudes that always had Khabib in the practice room,” Ferguson told Helen Yee Sports. “At the time, it was kind of like [Aljamain Sterling] and Merab [Dvalishvili], just feeling like when ‘Aljo’ left, then Merab finally started to shine and stuff. It’s the same thing with Khabib and Islam. I always thought Islam was more of a conditioned athlete, and doing his thing, but best of luck. But in my prime, kick your ass.”

Ferguson praised Makhachev’s dominant performance against Della Maddalena and suggested that maybe Makhachev was always the better fighter. He speculates that Nurmagomedov’s retirement, following the loss of his father and mentor Abdulmanap in 2020, finally cleared the path for Makhachev to step out of Khabib’s shadow.

“I think when Khabib’s dad was there, [Makhachev] was in the shadows, not wanting to pass him just out of respect for your teacher and your coaches and certain things like that,” Ferguson said. “I think when everything was all said and done and Khabib retired and the family stuff and so on, he finally had his time to shine.

“I think he’s his own athlete. I don’t think he really concerned himself about Khabib other than what he’s doing. At the end of the day, we’re all athletes, trying to pass it forward to the next generation. But I tell you what—one or two years at Tony Ferguson’s camp and academy, and you’ll be better than Dagestan wrestlers any day.”

Ferguson now holds the Misfits Boxing interim middleweight title after trading MMA gloves for boxing’s big reds. He’s set to defend the belt against Warren Spencer on Dec. 20 in Dubai.

While it’s unclear if Ferguson plans to return to MMA, he admitted he’s intrigued by the possibility of facing either Nurmagomedov or Conor McGregor in the planned UFC White House card.

“I’m going to be real, there’s only two people I want to fight, regardless of where it’s at—the interesting fights would be either Conor or Khabib,” Ferguson said. “I think, regardless of what happens, it’s going to sell tickets, good or bad—that’s what it’s for. The hype.

“But put me up there with Khabib at the White House, and I guarantee you guys are going to have fireworks. You have Khabib-Tony Round 6—make it happen.”

Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s best efforts, Ferguson never got to face Nurmagomedov in his prime. If Ferguson wasn’t tripping over his own feet, Khabib was busy perfecting his next masterpiece in the octagon.

Even now, Ferguson, 41 and still fiery, is open to the matchup. He returns to action against Warren Spencer at Misfits 23 in Dubai, proving that the fight fire in Ferguson hasn’t dimmed one bit.

Shavkat Rakhmonov is finally ready to get back to work after months of battling injuries. The undefeated welterweight has been out since last December, when he beat Ian Machado Garry by decision to cement himself as the No. 1 contender. He was originally booked to face Belal Muhammad for the title at UFC 315, but an injury forced him off the card and put his momentum on pause.

Now healthy again, Rakhmonov knows the next title shot isn’t guaranteed. However, he already knows who he wants.

“Of course, I would prefer to fight for the title next, but I think this timeline isn’t going to work for Islam, February or March,” Rakhmonov said to Ariel Helwani. “He will probably defend his belt in April, May, that time. Of course, if I can fight Islam next, I’m ready I can do it. I was also supposed to fight for the title, but I had a respectful reason not to take the opportunity and I was promised a title shot in the future.

“Again, if I have to fight before getting a title shot, I have no problem with that. I can prove again I’m the No. 1 contender. … The most intriguing fight for me is Kamaru Usman. But I don’t believe he’s going to accept a fight against me. He’s turned down fights with me in the past.”

A matchup between Rakhmonov and Usman would be massive, especially if neither man gets the next title shot. But the Kazakh star doesn’t expect the former champion to take the risk.

Rakhmonov (19-0) already holds UFC wins over Ian Machado Garry, Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal, Neil Magny and more. And even though his rise slowed down due to injuries, he made it clear nothing has changed about the end goal.

This past year was supposed to be Rakhmonov’s full breakthrough, but a torn meniscus and ACL forced him off the radar. His win over Garry at UFC 310 came with heavy consequences even though, according to him, Garry had nothing to do with it.

"I injured myself before the fight with Garry," Rakhmonov said on The Ariel Helwani Show. "Because I had prepared for such a long time, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to fight. That's why I fought, took a risk. The injury didn't get worse in the fight, actually. It was same scale of the injury as before the fight and after the fight. First, I wanted to avoid surgery, so I gave it rest and did rehab, but it wasn't enough. I still had to do surgery, and that's why I've been out for a while.

"Right now, I feel good and healthy. I believe I'll be ready to fight again at the end of February, probably March, so we'll see."

During his layoff, the welterweight division shifted. Islam Makhachev moved up as champion, while Michael Morales, Garry and Carlos Prates started making noise.

Despite Garry’s recent surge, capped off with his win over former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar, Rakhmonov isn’t moved.

"I sustained an injury before the fight. He didn't injure me," Rakhmonov said. "I don't need to lie about it. People who trained with me can confirm that. UFC PI, physios can confirm that.

"Of course I have to admit that [Garry's] been active. He's been doing well, two wins, but doesn't matter if you have two, three wins, I'm already the guy who beat him. If we fight again, I believe I'm going to beat him again. Especially next time, I'm going to do it more convincingly because I won't be fighting injured."

Islam Makhachev recently said he needs an active opponent, but Rakhmonov believes the champion knows exactly how dangerous he is.

"Maybe Islam is looking for a more suitable, more convenient opponent for him," Rakhmonov said. "I believe I'm the most inconvenient, hardest fight for him in the division. I'm undefeated for a reason. I believe I can beat anyone in the division.

"Whatever the UFC decides, I believe he'll accept. If he's going to decide I'm next, I'm not going to miss this opportunity."

He also had questions after watching Makhachev’s win over Jack Della Maddalena.

"Islam had a great performance, but I want to find out for myself: Did 'JDM' have such a bad performance, or Islam had such a good performance?" he said.

"I'm a universal fighter. I can make it hard for him everywhere. So I just want to find out for myself what's going to happen."

If the UFC decides he needs one more fight before the belt, Rakhmonov has one name circled in red.

"The most intriguing fight for me is Kamaru Usman, but I don't believe he's going to accept the fight against me. He's been turning down fights against me in the past," Rakhmonov said.

"It really doesn't matter. There's a lot of good options. Just give me the date and opponent in advance, and just make sure it's a No. 1 contender fight."

Conor McGregor is back online after nearly seven weeks away, and he returned with a dramatic update that instantly shook the MMA world. The former UFC double champion broke his silence to reveal that he underwent what he called “lifesaving” treatment, ending the wave of speculation that followed his sudden social media disappearance.

McGregor’s last post came on October 6, when he told fans he was stepping back from social media. Since then, fans cooked up every theory, from a surprise UFC return to another PR stunt. Things escalated further when he temporarily shut down his Instagram account, fueling rumors that he was fully locked in for a comeback. Before going dark, McGregor told his millions of followers:

“Hey folks online, I’m out of here for a bit, see you again soon! My love, unwavering! Thank you all.”
Now he’s back with a long, emotional update detailing a private trip to Mexico and a series of treatments he claims helped him confront years of trauma.

“Hey guys, I am back,” McGregor wrote. “I was blessed to meet the most forward thinking doctors from Stanford University and undergo a series of treatments to address trauma. I travelled to Tijuana Mexico and underwent Ibogaine treatment at AMBIO.”

He described the experience as “incredible, intense, and absolutely eye opening,” adding that the treatment showed him visions of his own death and its impact on his children.

“The most enlightening and enchanting experience I have ever undertaken. This treatment is worth its weight in GOLD! It absolutely saved my life, and in turn saved my family. Thank you for all your inspiration, motivation, encouragement, well wishes, support, and most importantly, for your prayers! THEY WORKED!”
He ended the message by thanking his inner circle.

“To my family, my friends, my fans. My support! My team! Baby, we did it! … To God, I am yours!! Thank you for bestowing upon me this incredible blessing… I live my life per your word and nothing more.”

The second version of his message, posted publicly, went even deeper into the spiritual experience he says he had during treatment:

“I was looking down on myself as it happened, and then I was looking out from the coffin. God then came to me in the Holy Trinity… Jesus descended from the white marble steps of heaven and anointed me with a crown. I was saved! My brain. My heart. My soul. Healed!”

While some fans saw the dramatic update as classic Conor McGregor showmanship, his longtime coach John Kavanagh recently revealed that McGregor is ramping up training ahead of a potential 2025 UFC return. The timing lines up, McGregor has repeatedly teased that he wants to fight at the White House event next summer.

McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he’s stayed busy with film roles, like his 2024 appearance in Road House, and has reportedly been serving an 18-month suspension after missing three random anti-doping tests within a year.

His Instagram remains deactivated for now, but Conor McGregor is officially active again on X and if his latest post is any indication, he’s gearing up for something big.

Jack Della Maddalena isn’t running from Saturday night. Instead, he’s owning it and promising to return even better after his one-sided loss to Islam Makhachev in the UFC 322 main event.

The former welterweight champion shared his first statement days after the defeat at Madison Square Garden, where Makhachev controlled the fight with four takedowns and more than 19 minutes of ground dominance. The performance made the Russian star the 11th fighter in UFC history to win belts in two divisions.

“Thanks to those always supporting,” Della Maddalena wrote on Instagram. “Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”

While Della Maddalena displayed solid counter-wrestling in his title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad back in May, Saturday night was a very different story. Makhachev imposed his style early and often, keeping the Australian on his back for most of the 25-minute battle.

To Della Maddalena’s credit, he stayed calm under pressure. He escaped several submission attempts and avoided being finished, but he simply couldn’t create space to strike. He landed only 18 significant strikes, far from the 178 he put on Muhammad to capture the belt.

Losing the title hurts, but Della Maddalena has walked this road before. His career didn’t start with hype, it started with two straight losses.

“I lost my first fight and then went into another fight and had lost two fights,” Della Maddalena told MMA Fighting in 2022. “My coach wasn’t there the second time around but we spoke on the phone, we thought I was better than being an 0-2 fighter and we made that pact to get to 10-2.

“It seemed like a massive goal at that stage to get 10 wins in a row, but we just slowly worked at it and made it happen.”

He went on to win 18 straight fights, including eight in a row in the UFC, proving that adaptation and resilience are part of his DNA.

Now, after UFC 322, Della Maddalena is ready to rebuild again. The loss may have snapped his momentum, but it didn’t kill his hunger or his ability to make another run. His message was simple, but it carried the weight of a fighter who still believes in the long game.

“Thanks to those always supporting,” he wrote. “Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”
Knowing Della Maddalena’s track record, that’s exactly what he’ll do.

Fresh off his TKO win over Salt Papi in August, Tony Ferguson returns on Dec. 20 to defend his Misfits Boxing interim middleweight title against Warren Spencer at Misfits Boxing: The Fight Before Christmas. The showdown goes down inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Ferguson has clearly rediscovered his fire. After snapping his long combat sports skid, he admitted the win over Salt Papi brought relief and joy he hadn’t felt in years.

“I had no tears. It was nothing but joy and just enjoying the moment for a split second because you’re talking about years of not being happy,” Ferguson told Seconds Out after Misfits Boxing 22. “Not because of the loss, just because of not being happy. This is something that I always wanted to do: throw on some boxing gloves and just throw some leather. Tonight was the perfect example of that, and get rid of the nerves and get that first victory out of the way.”

That victory was all he needed to reset mentally and get back into his competitive groove.

“I needed one victory to get me back into where I need to be, which is killer mode, and to bring that confidence, so I’m able to understand who the fck I am,” Ferguson said. “For a long time, when the pandemic hit, I don’t know what the fck happened. Everything broke outside of there and I had to bring force, and it took a lot of pressure. I have no pressure on me now. I left it all inside that ring. I’m going to go back to the drawing board, listen to my coaches and figure sh*t out.”

Both Ferguson and Spencer enter the fight at 1-0 in pro boxing. Spencer also made a brief MMA appearance under the Misfits banner the same night Ferguson claimed interim gold, but it didn’t last long. Dillon Danis submitted Spencer in 15 seconds.

Now, Spencer returns to straight boxing after stacking back-to-back wins in Misfits competition across 2024 and 2025. But facing Tony Ferguson inside the ring is a different level of pressure.

The Dec. 20 event also features Dillon Danis’ return just weeks after his chaotic UFC 322 brawl that led to his lifetime ban from UFC arenas. Danis will face Anthony Taylor under Misfits rules in an MMA bout.

Islam Makhachev stepped into Madison Square Garden with questions hanging over his jump to welterweight. He walked out with a second UFC belt and a fresh lineup of contenders already aiming for his head.

After dominating Jack Della Maddalena to become the new welterweight champion, Makhachev made one thing clear, he plans to rule 170 pounds with the same iron grip he had at lightweight.

Saturday wasn’t just a title fight. It was a statement card for the entire division. Michael Morales and Carlos Prates delivered violent knockouts over top contenders, and suddenly the welterweight picture tightened around the new champion.

Makhachev, who vacated the lightweight strap earlier this year, wasted no time claiming his space as the division’s new standard. When asked who he wants first, he didn’t hesitate.

“Everybody,” Makhachev said at the post-fight press conference. “This is the most competitive division right now. A lot of young guys fought today. Next week Belal Muhammad and Ian Garry fight. Kamaru Usman, Ilia Topuria — all killers want to take my belt. I don’t give it up. I’m working so hard to be double champion, and I’m going to defend my belt many, many times more.”

His performance against Della Maddalena wasn’t flashy, but it was suffocating. He controlled every exchange, shut down the champion’s offense, and turned the fight into a grappling clinic. Topuria wasn’t impressed, calling the main event “boring” and labeling Della Maddalena “a disappointment of a champion.” Makhachev brushed off the noise and doubled down on his approach.

“Jack’s one of the best in this game,” he said. “That’s why I prepared so hard, to make this easy. I tried to get chokes, I tried to get the kimura, but he defended well. I make it easy because I train so hard.”

The rest of the division also made noise. Carlos Prates knocked out former champion Leon Edwards with one clean punch, while Morales stunned Sean Brady with an early TKO. Both men put their names firmly on the contender list.

“I saw both fights,” Makhachev said. “Prates beat a former champion. Clear knockout. Morales too — very tough, very young. I’m surprised how this guy who smokes all day beat the former champion.”

After the event, Morales questioned why Makhachev is so confident he can take him down. The champ simply smiled.

“Everybody says the same thing: they’re going to knock me out,” Makhachev said. “If I stay standing, they might. But I’m going to try one time, two times, three times. They’ll defend, but I’ll still go. In welterweight, I don’t think anyone can stop my wrestling.”

As for whether he’ll stay at 170, Makhachev shut down any speculation. He’s here to defend.

“I don’t have to cut much weight,” he said. “And I’m going to defend this belt many, many times.”

A Topuria super fight remains a possibility, though Topuria is expected to defend his lightweight crown next, potentially against Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett. For now, the welterweight division is wide open, and Makhachev sits at the center of a shark tank.

Isaac Dulgarian is facing the biggest setback of his career after the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him over alleged fight-fixing tied to his controversial loss at UFC Vegas 110.

Dulgarian entered the card as a solid favorite against Yadier del Valle, but hours before the fight, the betting lines swung dramatically. Bettors suddenly poured money on Dulgarian to lose in the first round, and that’s exactly what happened. Del Valle submitted him via rear-naked choke midway through Round 1, immediately triggering suspicion across the MMA world.

Dana White later revealed that the UFC approached Dulgarian and his legal team before the bout to address the unusual betting activity. According to White, Dulgarian denied any wrongdoing and insisted he was ready to “kill this guy.” The fight proceeded anyway, but once it ended in a lopsided submission, the UFC contacted the FBI to investigate.

Within hours, the promotion released Dulgarian, ending his four-fight run in the UFC featherweight division. Now, the NSAC has issued a temporary suspension ahead of its monthly meeting, where the commission will vote on extending the ban and potentially withholding Dulgarian’s entire fight purse. Additional punishment could also follow.

Prominent sportsbooks have already refunded wagers placed on Dulgarian, further highlighting the seriousness of the situation. For now, the FBI’s investigation, conducted alongside the UFC, is still active, and no final determination has been made. Dulgarian, his team, and his management continue to deny any involvement in betting manipulation.

Dulgarian debuted in the UFC in 2023 with a first-round TKO over Francis Marshall and went 2-2 overall, with losses to Christian Rodriguez and Del Valle. His future in MMA now hangs in the outcome of the investigation.

The NSAC will reconvene next Wednesday to decide whether Dulgarian’s suspension will extend indefinitely and whether his UFC Vegas 110 purse will be officially withheld. Until then, the cloud over his name only grows heavier as regulators dig deeper into one of the sport’s most suspicious betting scandals in years.

Renowned MMA referee Herb Dean has opened up about the new wave of stricter officiating guidelines following the controversial eye-poke incident between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defense ended in disaster after he was accidentally poked in both eyes by Gane during the opening round. Despite taking the full five-minute recovery period, Aspinall was ruled unable to continue due to loss of vision in his right eye. The bout was declared a no-contest, leaving fans, fighters, and analysts demanding reforms.

In the aftermath, eye pokes have once again become a heated topic in the MMA community. Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, Herb Dean revealed that top officials recently met to review enforcement policies and push for tighter regulation of fouls inside the Octagon.

“We made a rule that it’s a foul to extend the fingers toward the eyes,” Dean explained. “That rule’s always been there, but we haven’t been enforcing it as much as we should. So we’re going to move forward on that.”

Dean acknowledged that stricter penalties might lead to more point deductions, a move that could change fight outcomes, given MMA’s close scoring margins.

“MMA is a one-point sport,” he said. “Most three-round fights end 29-28. So if you take one point, you’ve just turned a majority of wins into draws. But we’re going to have to do something, that’s something that’s going to happen.”

Dean emphasised that referees must start acting before dangerous fouls cause harm, not after.

“Eye pokes are a dangerous foul,” he continued. “If a fighter keeps doing something dangerous, we should start taking points before it actually hurts somebody.”

He also noted the need for clearer definitions and guidelines to determine what exactly constitutes a foul, especially in cases like Aspinall vs. Gane, where intent and hand position can be hard to judge.

“That last foul, I think the fingers were up. So we can agree the fingers were up. We might have to change that,” Dean said. “A lot of times when fighters are pawing or measuring distance, their fingers start to extend without realizing it.”

Dean even pointed to Sean Strickland as an example of how fighters can maintain discipline and avoid fouls while still being effective.

“When Sean Strickland fights, he comes out with his fingers closed and he’s parrying everywhere,” Dean said. “He might have that bad-boy image, but when it comes to hand positioning, he’s one of the best. I don’t have to worry about his fingers.”

With UFC officials reportedly aligned on stricter enforcement, Herb Dean believes the sport is moving toward greater accountability and fighter safety. He will be officiating multiple bouts at UFC 322, including the main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, where the new guidelines could already be in effect.

As the conversation around fighter safety continues to grow, Dean’s call for proactive officiating might mark a turning point in how referees handle fouls, and how fighters adapt.

ONE Heavyweight Champion Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane has been forced to postpone his upcoming title defense against Anatoly Malykhin after being involved in a serious car accident earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates.

The highly anticipated rematch was set to co-headline ONE 173 on November 16 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, but officials confirmed that the Senegalese powerhouse will no longer be able to compete.

“The 33-year-old Senegalese superstar was involved in a serious car accident in the United Arab Emirates and will be unable to compete inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16,” ONE Championship announced on social media.

“The extent of his injuries has not been disclosed, but the setback marks a devastating blow for the Senegalese superstar, who was preparing to defend his heavyweight crown for the first time in front of a massive Japanese crowd.”

Reug, who first joined ONE Championship in 2021, has been on an impressive run, boasting a 7-1 record and riding a four-fight win streak, including a split-decision victory over Malykhin last fall in Bangkok. That win earned him the heavyweight title and handed Malykhin the first loss of his professional career.

Malykhin, known for his knockout power and victories over former UFC talents like Reinier de Ridder and Arjan Bhullar, was granted an immediate rematch after his dominant run through the division. The second meeting between the two heavyweights was set to settle unfinished business, but the accident has put those plans on hold.

Reug’s rise through ONE has been nothing short of remarkable, defeating names like Marcus Buchecha while bringing international attention to Senegalese wrestling’s raw power and athleticism. The setback is unfortunate for fans and the promotion, but his camp remains optimistic about his recovery.

Despite the cancellation, ONE 173 will move forward with two other title fights. Christian Lee defends his welterweight championship against Alibeg Rasulov, while Joshua Pacio steps up to flyweight to challenge Yuya Wakamatsu.

For now, all eyes are on Reug’s recovery and when he’ll return to continue his reign as ONE’s most explosive heavyweight champion.

The official weigh-ins for Brave CF 100 went down on Thursday, November 6, setting up a milestone night for Brave Combat Federation in Bahrain, though not without unexpected drama.

Former champion Alex Lohoré was ready to make history, stepping on the scales at 78.8 kilograms and looking focused for his interim title fight. However, his opponent, Mohammad Fakhreddine, who aimed to become Brave’s first-ever three-division world champion, was ruled medically unfit and failed to appear for weigh-ins.

With Fakhreddine out, Lohoré was offered a replacement opponent, but he declined, leading to the cancellation of the highly anticipated interim title fight. The setback left fans disappointed, as many were eager to see Lohoré compete for gold again on one of the promotion’s biggest cards to date.

Elsewhere on the card, reigning Bantamweight Champion Borislav Nikolic and Bahrain’s Hamza Kooheji successfully made weight, coming in at 61 kilograms and 61.2 kilograms, respectively. Their title clash will headline Brave CF 100, with both fighters appearing sharp and determined ahead of Friday night’s main event.

In the co-main event, Muhammad Mokaev and Gerard Burns both hit their marks for the vacant Brave CF Flyweight Championship. Mokaev weighed in at 56.3 kilograms, while Burns came in at 56.6 kilograms, locking in a bout that could shift the balance of the division.

Aside from the Lohoré situation, all but one fighter made weight. Bahatebole Batebolati missed the limit for his bout against Rasul Magomedov, resulting in a catchweight fight and a fine that will see him forfeit part of his purse.

Despite the shake-ups, Brave CF 100 remains a historic card featuring eight fights and two championship showdowns. With weigh-ins behind them, the fighters now turn their focus to the final face-offs at Khalifa Sports City, where tensions will peak before the cage door closes.

For Lohoré, the cancellation may be a setback, but the French-Congolese fighter’s focus and drive suggest his next move could be even bigger. The hunt for gold isn’t over, just postponed.

Controversial internet personality and former kickboxing world champion Andrew Tate is officially stepping back into combat sports. Tate has signed with Misfits Boxing and is set to face heavyweight champion Chase DeMoor on December 20 in Dubai.

The announcement, which broke on Thursday, sent waves across the combat sports world. For months, Tate had been teasing a return to fighting, hinting at possible matchups with several names, including former UFC star Darren Till. While that fight never happened, his Misfits Boxing debut marks his first professional bout since 2020.

“I, as CEO, order a mandatory title defense for the heavyweight Misfits belt between myself, Andrew ‘Top G’ Tate, and Chase DeMoor,” Tate declared. “You don’t have a chance, and you don’t have a choice. It’s mandatory. I strongly recommend you train, everyone has a plan until they’re punched in the face.”

DeMoor, who captured the Misfits heavyweight title last November by defeating Kelechi Dyke, has defended the belt twice since then. He now faces his biggest challenge yet in Tate, whose reputation extends far beyond the ring.

Known for his outspoken views online presence, Andrew Tate rarely shies away from controversy. Whether discussing gender roles, masculinity, or social issues, his comments consistently spark massive debates, and just as much backlash.

Despite being under criminal investigation in multiple countries, Tate remains one of the most talked-about figures online, and his return to the fight game is expected to draw major attention.

For Tate, this Misfits Boxing debut is more than just another fight, it’s a statement. After years away from professional competition, he’s ready to prove that “Top G” still has what it takes to dominate, this time inside the boxing ring.

2025 has been a year of survival and resilience for Ben Askren. The former UFC welterweight and wrestling champion has faced one of the toughest battles of his life after a sudden and severe health scare that left him fighting for his life.

Askren, 41, spent 45 days in a coma after developing necrotising pneumonia, a rare and life-threatening condition that severely damaged his lungs. What followed was a long, uncertain road to recovery that required a double lung transplant, a procedure that few athletes ever come back from.

Despite the ordeal, Ben Askren continues to inspire fans around the world. He’s back home in Wisconsin, gradually regaining his strength and putting back on the weight he lost during his hospital stay. At one point, Askren dropped to about 145 pounds — nearly 60 pounds less than his fighting weight during his UFC career.

Even in recovery, Askren hasn’t lost his passion for wrestling. The former Olympian continues to coach in Wisconsin and keeps fans updated on his journey, reminding everyone that the fighter in him is still alive.
While many believed his days of competition were over, one medical expert says there’s still a chance Askren could return to the mat.

During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dr. Brian Sutterer, a respected sports medicine physician, discussed the possibility of Askren making a comeback in wrestling.
“I don’t think it’s crazy at all,” Dr. Sutterer said. “The sports medicine doctor in me thinks that’s an exciting thought, something that would be really good for him to have that motivation and inspiration.”

Dr. Sutterer explained that while MMA and boxing are likely off the table due to the physical strain they place on the lungs and cardiovascular system, wrestling could still be an option under the right conditions.

“If his lung and cardiac function recover well, and there’s no major muscle or nerve damage from the illness, then it’s just a matter of time,” Sutterer added. “Once those tests check out, there’s nothing stopping him from working his way back to being an athlete, in whatever way he chooses.”

The biggest concern, according to Sutterer, is how Askren’s body responds to long-term recovery, particularly whether the illness caused any lasting nerve or muscle damage. But if those challenges are cleared, a return to the sport he loves might not be as far-fetched as many think.

For now, Askren’s focus remains on regaining full health and strength, one day at a time. Still, the idea of seeing Ben Askren back on the wrestling mat, even for an exhibition, is the kind of comeback story that embodies what made him a fan favorite in the first place: grit, determination, and an unbreakable will to compete.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is standing firm after drawing backlash for his take on Tom Aspinall’s controversial eye injury during his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

The heavyweight title bout in Abu Dhabi came to a sudden halt after Gane accidentally double-poked Aspinall in the eyes just minutes into the first round. Despite being given the full five minutes to recover, Aspinall told cageside doctors he couldn’t see, forcing the referee to stop the fight and rule it a No Contest.

The incident capped off what many fans considered a disappointing night, aside from standout performances from Mackenzie Dern and Umar Nurmagomedov. But the real conversation after UFC 321 wasn’t about the fights, it was about Aspinall’s reaction and Sterling’s criticism.

Following the event, Aljamain Sterling questioned the severity of Aspinall’s injury and hinted that the heavyweight champion might have quit too early. Fans didn’t take that lightly, flooding his social media with heated comments. But instead of walking back his words, Sterling doubled down in a YouTube video — defending his stance and explaining his reasoning.

“I made some comments on the Aspinall fight and how he handled the situation of the foul, and I think my opinion still stands,” Sterling said. “Yeah, you can say because I’ve been fouled and you guys think that I faked an injury, but I did not. We’ve clarified this multiple times. Bad rehydration, got blasted in the head, barely knew where I was. It looked bad, but it wasn’t fake.”

Sterling, who famously won his UFC title by disqualification after an illegal knee from Petr Yan at UFC 259, says his perspective comes from experience.

“Illegal eye poke. Unintentional, but it happened — double zoink,” Sterling said. “Tommy was definitely compromised, no doubt about that. But when you’re fouled, you never say, ‘I can’t see.’ That’s the one thing you don’t say, because once those words come out, the ref has no choice but to stop the fight.”

According to Aljamain Sterling, Aspinall could have handled the situation differently if he truly wanted to continue.

“The ref came over multiple times, giving him chances to recover,” Sterling explained. “If you want to stay in the fight, you say, ‘Give me my time, let me see if things get better.’ But once you say, ‘I can’t see,’ that’s it. The fight’s over.”

Sterling’s comments drew comparisons to his own controversial title win, where critics accused him of exaggerating the effects of Yan’s illegal knee. Despite that, he believes there’s a clear difference between the two incidents.

“I got illegally kneed and destroyed on social media for over a year,” Sterling said. “Still to this day, people bring it up. But even then, I asked for time to recover. I never said, ‘I can’t continue.’ That’s the key difference.”


Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is standing firm after drawing backlash for his take on Tom Aspinall’s controversial eye injury during his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

The heavyweight title bout in Abu Dhabi came to a sudden halt after Gane accidentally double-poked Aspinall in the eyes just minutes into the first round. Despite being given the full five minutes to recover, Aspinall told cageside doctors he couldn’t see, forcing the referee to stop the fight and rule it a No Contest.

The incident capped off what many fans considered a disappointing night, aside from standout performances from Mackenzie Dern and Umar Nurmagomedov. But the real conversation after UFC 321 wasn’t about the fights, it was about Aspinall’s reaction and Sterling’s criticism.

Following the event, Aljamain Sterling questioned the severity of Aspinall’s injury and hinted that the heavyweight champion might have quit too early. Fans didn’t take that lightly, flooding his social media with heated comments. But instead of walking back his words, Sterling doubled down in a YouTube video — defending his stance and explaining his reasoning.

“I made some comments on the Aspinall fight and how he handled the situation of the foul, and I think my opinion still stands,” Sterling said. “Yeah, you can say because I’ve been fouled and you guys think that I faked an injury, but I did not. We’ve clarified this multiple times. Bad rehydration, got blasted in the head, barely knew where I was. It looked bad, but it wasn’t fake.”

Sterling, who famously won his UFC title by disqualification after an illegal knee from Petr Yan at UFC 259, says his perspective comes from experience.

“Illegal eye poke. Unintentional, but it happened — double zoink,” Sterling said. “Tommy was definitely compromised, no doubt about that. But when you’re fouled, you never say, ‘I can’t see.’ That’s the one thing you don’t say, because once those words come out, the ref has no choice but to stop the fight.”

According to Aljamain Sterling, Aspinall could have handled the situation differently if he truly wanted to continue.

“The ref came over multiple times, giving him chances to recover,” Sterling explained. “If you want to stay in the fight, you say, ‘Give me my time, let me see if things get better.’ But once you say, ‘I can’t see,’ that’s it. The fight’s over.”

Sterling’s comments drew comparisons to his own controversial title win, where critics accused him of exaggerating the effects of Yan’s illegal knee. Despite that, he believes there’s a clear difference between the two incidents.

“I got illegally kneed and destroyed on social media for over a year,” Sterling said. “Still to this day, people bring it up. But even then, I asked for time to recover. I never said, ‘I can’t continue.’ That’s the key difference.”

Veteran UFC lightweight Jim Miller didn’t hold back after the controversial ending of Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

The heavyweight title fight ended in a disappointing no-contest after Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, leaving the champion unable to continue inside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

While fans debated whether the eye poke was intentional, Jim Miller made his stance clear, this wasn’t a glove issue. It was a fighter issue.

“I’ve got hours inside the Octagon wearing these gloves, it’s not the gloves,” Miller said. “I can close my fist and bend my fingers without the glove even moving. What causes the eye pokes is the fighter being passive, avoiding the fight instead of engaging.”

Miller, the longest-tenured UFC fighter and holder of multiple promotional records, has competed in 46 UFC bouts without ever committing an eye poke. He believes the problem isn’t accidental at all, it’s a lack of accountability.

“The only way we’re going to stop this is if the fighters who commit the foul actually get punished,” he said in a furious Instagram post. “Eye gouging and poking are fouls. If the fighter can’t continue and the foul looks intentional, that should be a disqualification. But it never seems to be ‘intentional,’ right?”

The future Hall of Famer didn’t just criticize Gane, he called out the culture of how such incidents are handled. According to Miller, referees rarely take immediate action, and when they do, it’s inconsistent.

“The person who gets poked is always the bad guy,” Miller said. “They’re called soft for saying they can’t see, while the one who threw the poke gets off easy. That’s nonsense. Points get taken faster for groin shots than for something that can permanently damage someone’s eyesight.”

Miller revealed that he’s had his own vision affected by eye pokes earlier in his career, though he never retaliated or used it as an excuse. Instead, he’s using his platform to demand real change.

“I’ve shared the list before, guys like Frankie Edgar, Clay Guida, Rafael dos Anjos, we’ve spent the most time in the Octagon and never poked anyone in the eye,” Miller said. “If we can go seven-plus hours of cage time without doing it, then nobody else has an excuse. It’s not an accident. It’s lack of discipline, and it needs to be penalized.”

Miller’s proposed solution involves immediate point deductions and financial penalties for fighters who commit eye pokes. “You start taking points and money, and you’ll see the problem disappear overnight,” he said.

With Jim Miller’s voice echoing across the MMA world, the UFC faces growing pressure to tighten its stance on eye poke infractions. For a fighter who has given nearly two decades to the sport without resorting to cheap fouls, his frustration speaks volumes, and it’s hard to argue he’s wrong.

Darren Till is officially stepping into the promoter’s corner. The former UFC star has announced the launch of his new boxing promotion, Gorilla Promotions.

After stringing together a strong winning streak this year, including his KO win over Rockhold, Till has been linked to several big-name fights, though many have yet to materialise, one especially with the likes of Andrew Tate, seemingly moving in other directions. Following these disappointments, the fighter has taken matters into his hands and decided to create a promotion himself.

Through Gorilla Promotions, which he revealed on his Instagram story, Till plans on giving upcoming fighters a shot in the cage and also rewarding them for their efforts. The promotion’s centrepiece is its Prize Fighter concept, where up-and-coming boxers will battle for championship belts and a £5,000 cash prize.

Till’s new venture will also mix in celebrity matchups, adding a Misfits-style twist to the action-packed nights. The first Gorilla Promotions event is scheduled for mid-January, and while specific weight classes haven’t been confirmed yet, the announcement encourages interested fighters to reach out and be part of the debut card.

Till’s post quickly gained traction on social media, with support from close friends and fellow fighters like PFL’s Brendan Loughnane and former UFC athlete Mike Grundy, both sharing the announcement and backing the new project.

The move has drawn praise from Till’s peers in the combat sports world, including Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who shared his admiration in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow.

“I’m super proud of Darren Till, I really am,” Thompson said. “Especially after the hard time he’s had with the UFC—some wins, some losses, not really knowing where he wanted to go. I’m glad he’s found something he enjoys and can make a living from. He’s making bank in the boxing realm, and I think it’s awesome.”

Thompson added that Till’s energy and passion seem renewed since switching to boxing:

“I think he’s revamped. That flame inside him has rekindled, and he’s re-motivated to go out there and compete in this new realm of boxing.”

With Gorilla Promotions, Darren Till is carving out a new lane in combat sports. For a fighter who’s always been bold inside the cage, this next chapter might be his biggest move yet.

As one fan joked online, “Look out, TKO—Darren Till just made the boxing game a little more unpredictable.”

MacKenzie Dern is on the brink of the biggest moment in her UFC career as she prepares to face Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight title at UFC 321, but she isn't quite sure about herself.

The opportunity comes after Zhang Weili vacated her championship to move up to flyweight, leaving the division wide open for a new queen to emerge. For both Dern and Jandiroba, this marks their first shot at UFC gold after years of grinding through one of the toughest divisions in women’s MMA. Dern is fresh off a submission win over Amanda Ribas, while Jandiroba enters UFC 321 riding an impressive five-fight win streak.

Before Zhang’s exit, she had long ruled the strawweight division with dominance, stacking up wins over Yan Xiaonan, Tatiana Suarez, and Carla Esparza. Her reign followed Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s retirement and set a new bar for excellence among 115-pounders.

While Dern wouldn’t have turned down a title fight against Zhang, she admits she might not have been ready to dethrone the former champion just yet.

“I definitely think that if Weili was champion right now of our division, and I mean, obviously, I wouldn’t say no to a title shot, but I don’t think I’d be ready to fight Weili right now at this moment of my career, you know what I mean?” Dern told MMA Fighting.

“But I do think that if I do win the belt, and then whatever, if we were to fight like at the White House or something in June, I feel like I’d be way more ready and prepared to fight her. I know it’s like, OK, it’s just like what? Like six months or eight months difference. How much better do you think you’re going to get in eight months? But I think just winning the belt, there’s a confidence part that you get from that, and it’s just more training and more time. She was just so dominant in the strawweight division.”

This will be Dern’s 16th UFC appearance and her second meeting with Jandiroba. The two first faced off at UFC 256 in December 2020, where Dern secured a unanimous decision victory.

Now, as she steps into her first title fight, Dern sees Zhang’s departure as a turning point that could finally give her a shot at the strawweight division.

“I really just feel like this is going get all of us a little bit more uplifted,” Dern explained. “Like, we kind of get re-energized, a little bit more confidence in the whole division, kind of see different matchups and all of us just maturing differently as fighters. I feel like either me or Virna, we would be more prepared to fight her if she does decide to come back down right away, you know what I mean?”

“She’s accomplished so much, so if she does retire, or if she does decide to stay at 125, I wouldn’t think too much about it. I mean, it’s the fight world. She’s been in this for like how long? So it’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m only a champion if I beat her,’ but I would like to have the opportunity to fight her. I’m not going to say that I wouldn’t be like,

‘Man, it would be very exciting to fight her,’ but, yeah, the main goal is to beat Virna, win the belt, and then we’ll see if she comes back down or not.”

Whether or not Zhang Weili returns to strawweight, MacKenzie Dern is focused on capturing her first UFC title and continuing her evolution as a fighter. The division may be entering a new era and Dern plans to be at the center of it.

The UFC Vancouver bonus winners showed skill, grit, and determinatioThe UFC Vancouver event, held at Rogers Arena in Canada, delivered a night of thrilling matchups and impressive sportsmanship, with four fighters each earning a $ 50,000 bonus.

On the main card of UFC Vancouver , Charles Jourdain faced Davey Grant in a bantamweight bout that lasted just three minutes. Jourdain secured a guillotine choke to claim a swift submission victory, earning himself a Performance of the Night (POFN) bonus.

The preliminary card also produced standout moments. Drew Dober and Kyle Prepolec went toe-to-toe in an intense striking battle that ended in the third round with Dober emerging victorious. Their relentless exchange earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors.

Rounding out the bonus winners was Aoriqileng, who scored a stunning first-round knockout to claim his own Performance of the Night bonus.

The UFC Vancouver bonus winners showed skill, grit, and determination, making the event one to remember for fans and fighters alike.

Former UFC champion Frankie Edgar was set to make his combat sports return under the BKFC banner, but it wasn’t meant to be. The promotion cancelled his bout on short notice, leaving the veteran fighter frustrated and disappointed.

Edgar has been out of the cage since 2022 and was eager to face UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82, but the fight was scrapped due to medical issues. BKFC CEO David Feldman disclosed that despite the cancellation, Edgar was still compensated, a claim Edgar confirmed. However, the former UFC champ expressed his displeasure with how the promotion handled the situation.

“I was training for six, seven weeks. I got a week out from the fight, and we get an email, my manager gets an email from someone at BKFC stating that the owner is leaving for Manchester and doesn’t have a phone on him,” Edgar said. “He can’t call you, but he’ll call you eventually. But in the meantime, his doctor recommended I don’t fight based on my age, consecutive TKO losses, my layoff, and my record, which sounds fugazi. That was before he’d even seen my medicals, which is kind of crazy, especially since this happened just a week before the fight.”

Edgar noted that the promotion had known all of those details months earlier when the contract was signed. He also stated that he passed every required medical test.

“I got a physical, I got a blood test, I got an eye exam,” Edgar said. “Then I had to go to three different heart tests, a stress test, an echo test, and a carotid test. Then I also went to a neurologist, got an MRI and an MRA. Every single doctor said my stuff was great. The promotion tried to say they weren’t getting my medicals, which is bullshit — they got all of them. They didn’t send my medicals to the commission at all.”

According to Edgar, even the commission later confirmed his medicals were in perfect condition.

“Someone from the commission told me, ‘Your MRI hasn’t changed since 2021. You have no white brain matter,’ which is what they look for to check for damage. He said, ‘You can tell your wife and family you’ve got a clean bill of health if you chose to fight more.’”

Despite having no initial plans to return to fighting, Edgar said BKFC repeatedly approached him with offers.

“I wasn’t thinking about fighting,” Edgar said. “They came to me, I ignored them once. Then they came again. My manager and BKFC came up with a deal. He gave me a number — a pretty high number — and I said no. They came back with the number I would do it for, which was a very significant amount of money. That’s the only reason I got off the couch.”

Edgar said he feels used by the promotion, believing they only wanted him to sell tickets. He explained how much the training camp took out of him, especially since he spent valuable time away from his family for a fight that never happened.

“I don’t know what BKFC is going to do, but this ain’t a good look,” Edgar said. “I want to be more mad about it, but I can’t let it consume me. You guys dogged me in my home state, that’s crazy. They came to me. I did everything they wanted. I went to every promotion, hosted a watch party, went to the Devils game, did podcast after podcast promoting the fight. I did everything for them, that’s f*cked.”

For now, Frankie Edgar has no plans to sue BKFC, admitting he might have been paid more not to fight than most of the competitors at BKFC 82.

Still, he’s unhappy with how the situation unfolded and vows never to compete for the promotion again, though he remains open to future fighting opportunities elsewhere, given his clean bill of health.

EFC 128 was a night of ambitious takedowns and consequences from bell to bell. In the main event, Ken “The Takeover” Sekeletu stepped in over the limit at the weigh-ins, meaning he was automatically disqualified from ever winning the interim title. Only Billy “The Kid” Oosthuizen could become interim champ, no matter what happened in the cage, but the fighter still put his best foot forward.

From the jump, Sekeletu came out aggressive, pushing forward, throwing combinations, trying to make it a firefight before Oosthuizen could get comfortable. Oosthuizen, knowing the rules were stacked in his favor, was methodical, landing counter-shots, body attacks, probing for openings rather than overextending.

In Round two, the flow changed with Sekeletu focusing more on scoring a hit while Oosthuizen bided his time, testing feints and head movement. It all unravelled in round three when Sekeletu landed repeated strikes to the back of Oosthuizen’s head, more than what the ref would tolerate. The ref called for disqualification, leaving the belt and title of interim champion to Oosthuizen, but the crowd and commentators were unsatisfied with this prediction as it didn’t feel earned.

In the co-main of EFC 128, Siyaku “The Chef” Dumiso battled it out with JT Botha in a knockout war. They opened with Botha pushing forward, trying to muscle Dumiso into exchanges, but Dumiso stayed elusive, using angles, circling out, mixing in leg kicks to keep Botha honest.

Botha had his moments, forward pressure, half-step counters, looking for that one big shot. However, Dumiso’s composure was the story. He defended takedown attempts, avoided traps, and layered combinations in the later rounds when Botha’s pace wavered.

When the final horn sounded, the judges called a unanimous decision win for Dumiso.

Main Card

Billy Oosthuizen def. Ken Sekeletu via DQ (punches to back of head) Round 3

Siyaku Dumiso def. JT Botha via Unanimous Decision

Ayanda Zwane def. Roberto Miyaba via Split Decision

Brandon Santos def. Kgaugelo Moishela via round one Submission (arm-triangle)

William Lekana def. Nicholas Vermaak via round one KO/TKO

Zeca Martinho def. Sisa Jungula via Decision

UFC’s controversial fighter and former middleweight champion Sean Strickland tied the knot with his longtime partner in classic Strickland fashion.

Strickland, well-known for his performances in the cage and his jarring post-fight comments, recently announced his marriage in an Instagram post. In typical Sean Strickland style, the fighter got fans talking as he showed up to the wedding holding a rifle and revving up motorbikes.

The fighter also posted a video reel of his wife celebrating their nuptials by shooting an automatic weapon in her wedding gown.

Strickland last competed in February, losing a unanimous decision to Dricus du Plessis in their title rematch at UFC 312. He has since been linked to a possible rematch with Israel Adesanya, but that appears to have fallen through. Instead, Strickland recently suggested that a matchup with surging contender Anthony Hernandez is what he’d like next but that might not be happening as the fighter was recently suspended after a brawl in Vegas.

UFC star and former two-division champion Conor McGregor is facing an 18-month suspension after failing the UFC’s anti-doping program testing.

The fighter recently announced his desire to return to the Octagon after a year-long hiatus, surprising many fans.

Following his announcement, the Irishman re-entered the testing pool in hopes of being selected for the upcoming UFC White House card. Unfortunately, it appears Conor McGregor’s comeback won’t be happening soon, as he reportedly failed multiple tests and refused to provide biological samples on three separate occasions within a 12-month period.

McGregor’s refusal to provide samples was ruled a violation by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD). In a statement, CSAD confirmed that McGregor’s recovery from injury at the time of the missed tests was taken into account. The organization also noted that the Dublin native cooperated with the investigation and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

“McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC anti-doping policy,” CSAD officials said in a press release. “UFC athletes are required to provide accurate whereabouts information at all times so they can be contacted and submit to biological sample collections without prior warning.

McGregor’s missed tests occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024, and were each classified as Whereabouts Failures by CSAD under the UFC ADP.”

While each missed test counted against him, officials noted that Conor McGregor was recovering from an injury rather than training for an upcoming fight when the samples were supposed to be collected.

“McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that contributed to the missed tests,” the statement continued.

Taking McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months. His period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024 — the date of his third missed test and will end on March 20, 2026.

CSAD also clarified that Conor McGregor’s suspension will not affect his potential return to the Octagon once the ban concludes.

McGregor has been out of action since suffering a broken leg during his fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Since then, he has stayed away from the cage but remained in the spotlight due to multiple legal controversies, including sexual assault allegations. The BKFC co-owner had previously announced plans to face Michael Chandler earlier in 2025, but “The Notorious” later revealed he sustained an injury during training, forcing him to withdraw.

Despite his inactive status, Conor McGregor remains eager to make his return at President Donald Trump’s UFC White House card. For now, he continues to undergo testing and has already provided four samples as part of the ongoing process.

Usman Nurmagomedov outlasts Paul Hughes in five-round war at PFL Dubai. The Professional Fighters League returns to Dubai on Friday, October 3, 2025, with a blockbuster rematch headlining PFL Champions Series 3 at the Coca-Cola Arena. Undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov once again shared the cage with surging Irish contender Paul Hughes, just nine months after their first meeting.

Their initial clash took place on January 25, 2025, at PFL Champions Series 1, also in Dubai, where Nurmagomedov edged out Hughes via majority decision to retain his belt. It was the toughest test of Nurmagomedov’s career, with one judge even scoring the bout a draw, leaving fans eager to see them run it back.

Nurmagomedov, has continued to build his reputation as one of the most dominant lightweights. With an unblemished 19-0 record, his blend of precise striking and suffocating grappling has kept him a step ahead of every opponent so far.

Hughes, meanwhile, bounced back quickly from the narrow defeat. He thrilled fans in May 2025 with a blistering 42-second knockout of Bruno Miranda in Belfast, reminding the division that he’s not only durable but also one of the most dangerous finishers on the roster.

The two went nose-to-nose during the intros but showed respect with a glove touch. The fight opened with Nurmagomedov establishing his distance through kicks and jabs. Hughes pressed forward, looking to close the gap with counters. Midway through the round, a low blow from Nurmagomedov briefly halted the action, Hughes took about 45 seconds and was ready to go back to action, he recovered, and the round continued at a measured pace.


The round two started with both fighters trading jabs and leg kicks, as Hughes pressed forward from the center. Nurmagomedov found success with clean jabs, while Hughes landed to the body and mixed in a blocked head kick. Midway through, Nurmagomedov shot in and briefly secured a takedown, landing short punches before Hughes scrambled back to his feet. The pace picked up late, with Hughes landing a sharp jab, knee from the clinch, and a switch kick to the body, while Nurmagomedov connected with a crisp one-two during the exchanges.

Nurmagomedov opened with a leg kick and sharp jab as both men circled and exchanged words. He landed a check left hook and right hand, but Hughes pressed forward with combinations and feints to cut off the cage. Midway through, Nurmagomedov shot for the hips, but Hughes defended and fired back with a right hand. Hughes stayed aggressive with double jabs and body shots, even buckling the champion briefly with a low kick. Nurmagomedov relied on his jab and kicks before closing with a late takedown, ending the round on Hughes’ back as the horn sounded.


Round 4 started and Nurmagomedov attacked with inside leg kicks and jabs before an accidental groin strike briefly halted the action. On the restart, Hughes fired a stomp to the lead leg, but Nurmagomedov pressured him to a knee against the fence. Hughes scrambled free and scored in close, trading jabs and low kicks. Nurmagomedov landed a front kick to the body, then dragged Hughes down again, briefly threatening the back. He followed with a heavy punching flurry that damaged Hughes’ left eye. In the final minute, Hughes dug to the body, but Nurmagomedov answered with sharp left hands and body kicks.

The final round had Nurmagomedov firing early jabs and leg kicks, but Hughes answered with stiff punches, even staggering the champion with a jab before stuffing back-to-back takedown attempts. Both men traded clean shots, Hughes working behind his jab and body strikes, while Nurmagomedov mixed in kicks and sharp counters. Midway through, Hughes kept pressing forward, landing a knee and a glancing high kick, only for an accidental clash of heads to open a cut above Nurmagomedov’s right eye. After a quick pause, they resumed, touching gloves and going back to work. The champion landed a flying knee and briefly secured a takedown in the final minute, but Hughes scrambled out, forcing wild exchanges in the closing seconds of a razor-close round. After five rounds, the judges returned scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 48-47, all in favor of Nurmagomedov, who improved to 20-0 as a professional

Official PFL Dubai Result

Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision

Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (49-45 x2, 48-47)

Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov via second-round KO (4:31)

Archie Colgan def. Jay Jay Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi via TKO – Round 1, 2:47

Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Luann Sardinha via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Takeshi Izumi def. Vinicius Cenci via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Makkasharip Zaynukov def. John Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28 x2)

Jarrah Al-Silawi def. Gregory Babene via split decision

Nigeria-born athlete Benjamin Edozie is set to make National history as he prepares to represent Nigeria at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF).

With an amateur record of 9-1, Edozie has built his name with consistent wins and strong performances. He currently holds the number one spot in the Amateur Lightweight division in the UK and Ireland. The fighter’s steady rise to success has now set him on the path that leads to victory as he carries Nigeria’s flag all the way to the global stage in the MMA world..

Edozie has fought across different promotions in Europe, proving himself against tough opponents. In 2024, he beat Taylor Sullivan by unanimous decision at Almighty Fighting Championship 36, then went on to edge Tom Di Gasparro in a split decision at Cage Warriors Academy South East. He followed that up with a first-round submission win over Lee Thompson at FCC 40. Most recently, in August 2025, Edozie submitted Odin Wouters with a D’arce choke at LFL New Talent 15 in Amsterdam. To snag this recent IMMAF victory, the athlete successfully defeated opponents from Bulgaria, Zambia and England to win his place in the semi-finals.

The athlete’s past wins show his skillset and has also opened the door for him to get noticed and selected to represent Nigeria at IMMAF.

Edozie’s appearance at IMMAF could mark a major step for Nigerian MMA. If he delivers, he could become the first Nigerian to secure a medal at the IMMAF World Championships and possibly set new records for wins by a Nigerian fighter in the competition.

For Edozie, this is more than just another fight, it’s an opportunity to showcase Nigerian talent on an international platform and inspire other fighters back home. All eyes will be on him as he looks to break barriers and put Nigeria on the map at IMMAF.

Former UFC lightweight champion Frank Edgar had his return from retirement cut short after BKFC cancelled his debut.

Edgar, 44, was scheduled to face former UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82, but the bout will no longer take place. Edgar has dealt with health issues since suffering three consecutive knockout losses late in his UFC career. BKFC president David Feldman admitted that Edgar’s debut was always uncertain due to his prior medical history.

“I went up to watch him spar and I’m completely sold on it. 100 percent,” Feldman told MMA Fighting. “It’s a different Frankie Edgar. It’s a light-on-his-feet Frankie Edgar. It’s a volume-punching Frankie Edgar. It’s a hard-punching Frankie Edgar. I saw everything I needed to see.”

However, after further consideration, Feldman confirmed that the promotion decided to pull Frank Edgar from the card.

“After further review with our medical officer, we decided that Frankie Edgar was not going to compete this Saturday,” Feldman said. “We’re going to look into it and see what his future looks like, but he will not be competing this Saturday.”

When BKFC announced plans to hold an event in New Jersey, Edgar’s interest grew, and he signed a contract to make his return despite concerns from his family and friends about him fighting again.

“My wife was a little concerned with me doing this as well,” Edgar told MMA Fighting in September. “I’ve been doing this for so long, it’s tough to walk away. I’m not going into this naïve. I understand the risks. I’m willing to take that chance, I guess you could say. The juice has got to be worth the squeeze and I feel like it is.

“They were all a little against it honestly. I got my wife on board maybe. Maybe she’s not happy about it, but she ain’t going to leave me, I guess. That’s a plus. The kids, my boys kind of understand it. My daughter definitely is not too cool with it but one more time and we’ll see how it goes.”

Following the announcement, Frank Edgar has yet to release a statement, but Rivera remains on the card and will now face replacement opponent Timmy Mason.

Repercussions have followed Wanderlei Silva after his chaotic return to combat sports at Spaten Fight Night 2 in São Paulo, Brazil.

The UFC Hall of Famer, who stepped back into action against former two-time boxing world champion Acelino Freitas, was disqualified for repeatedly throwing illegal strikes, including headbutts. What should have ended with an exhibition result spiraled into a violent post-fight brawl that saw Silva knocked unconscious by a punch from Freitas’ son, Rafael.

“The Axe Murderer” had not competed since suffering a knockout loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 206 in September 2018. His comeback in boxing ended in controversy and disciplinary action.

As first reported by MMA Fighting, the Brazilian National Boxing Council (CNB) announced on Tuesday that both Wanderlei Silva and Acelino Freitas have been handed 180-day suspensions. They are banned from participating in any events sanctioned by the council, with CNB confirming that other commissions will also be notified of the suspensions.

Silva described himself as the victim of what he called a “cowardly attack,” but the ruling stands.

Rafael Freitas, who landed the punch that knocked Silva out, escaped suspension since he was present only as a spectator and not licensed as a cornerman. Instead, CNB issued a recommendation that he be banned indefinitely from future boxing events.

The aftermath also saw several cornermen penalized. Silva’s longtime coach, Andre Dida, received the harshest punishment with a one-year suspension after landing two punches on Freitas. Two of Silva’s cornermen, former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and Silva’s son, Thor, were involved in the brawl but could not be sanctioned, as the CNB did not officially license them.

On Freitas’ side, cornermen Luis Claudio Freitas and Iago Gutierrez Freitas were each given 180-day bans, while Lucas Pontes da Silva received a 90-day suspension.

The night that was meant to mark Wanderlei Silva’s return to combat sports ended in chaos and suspensions.