Sean O’Malley has Ilia Topuria’s respect. Bantamweight champion O’Malley called out featherweight champ Topuria after he battered Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in March. Topuria dismissed the callout, telling O’Malley to focus on Merab Dvalishvili first. Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) hasn’t minced his words when it comes to many UFC fighters, but surprisingly had
Day: May 22, 2024
Dustin Poirier gave a cold prediction for his fight against Islam Makhachev. Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) challenges lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) in the UFC 302 main event June 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Former interim champ Poirier will look to claim undisputed gold for the first time in his
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has mapped out a two-fight plan. Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) expects his first title defense to be against former 145-pound champ Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), who knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April. However, Topuria still has his sights set on a megafight with Conor
Sometimes, a different vantage point can completely change perspectives. There was a full-on world tour in 2015 for Conor McGregor’s title shot against then-featherweight champ Jose Aldo. When Aldo pulled out of the fight less than two weeks out with a rib injury, it was somehwat suspected. It had been rumored, and because UFC CEO
Conor McGregor doesn’t have any ill will toward UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) took aim at O’Malley when asking for a lifetime ban on Ryan Garcia, who tested positive for traces of ostarine in his win over Devin Haney. O’Malley tested positive for the same banned substance in 2019, resulting in
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is back in fight mode and wants to make up for lost time. “The Notorious” will be 10 days shy of a three-year absence from action when he steps into the cage to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29. A broken ankle suffered in his trilogy
Tom Aspinall doesn’t plan to keep defending his UFC interim title. Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was hoping to unify his belt with heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but he’ll have to wait until Jones defends his belt against Stipe Miocic first. In the meantime, Aspinall defends his interim title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes
On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel reacts to Patchy Mix’s latest title defense. This past Friday, Mix defended his Bellator bantamweight title, edging out Magomed Magomedov in a close split decision win. The championship fight served as the main event of Bellator Champions Series: Paris. Entering the event, Mix, along with some fans
Anthony Smith thinks Islam Makhachev’s style could lead to openings for Dustin Poirier. Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title against Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in the UFC 302 main event June 1 Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Poirier will attempt to win undisputed gold for a third time after submission losses
Following Bellator Champions Series: Paris and UFC Fight Night 241, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings required updating. In the feature bout of the UFC event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, rising featherweight contender Lerone Murphy defeated the always-exciting Edson Barboza in a dominant display to remain undefeated in his pro career. At
Dustin Poirier turned back the clock big time in his last outing. The long-time UFC lightweight contender put up up-and-comer Benoit Saint-Denis in brutal fashion earlier this year in the co-main event of UFC 299 in Miami. Poirier, who was coming off a knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2023, got the much-needed win,
Sean O’Malley doesn’t like the sound of playing second fiddle to Ilia Topuria. Ideally, the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion, O’Malley, has hoped for an eventual clash with his fellow titleholder at Featherweight, Topuria. Until that can happen, they’ll each have to get through some top contenders. O’Malley, 29, will likely next defend
Belal Muhammad didn’t mince his words when asked about Sean Strickland. Strickland has commented on Palestine’s ongoing conflict with Israel numerous times, even taking aim at Muhammad, who is of Palestinian descent. Muhammad is irked by former middleweight champion Strickland’s take on the matter, calling it a cry for attention. Muhammad says he noticed Strickland