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Conor McGregor Welcomes Las Vegas Raiders Star Maxx Crosby as New BKFC Part-Owner

Conor McGregor Welcomes Las Vegas Raiders Star Maxx Crosby as New BKFC Part-OwnerMaxx Crosby, the star defensive end for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, is joining UFC megastar Conor McGregor as…

Conor McGregor Welcomes Las Vegas Raiders Star Maxx Crosby as New BKFC Part-Owner

Maxx Crosby, the star defensive end for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, is joining UFC megastar Conor McGregor as the latest part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

On Tuesday, the well-known combat sports fan and pro football star revealed that he had purchased a stake in the fast-rising promotion.

“Bare knuckle fighting is raw, real, and incredibly engaging for fans,” Crosby stated in a press release. “I have always been passionate about combat sports, and I see BKFC as a platform that not only showcases the incredible skill, talent, and athleticism of these fighters but also brings a unique and authentic experience to combat sports enthusiasts.”

Founded in 2018, the BKFC has held more than 100 events around the world, including England, Bulgaria, Mexico, Thailand, and most recently, Spain. In April 2024, McGregor announced that he had officially become a part-owner of the promotion and has regularly appeared at BKFC events since then.

Conor McGregor welcomes Crosby to the team

Shortly following Crosby’s announcement, McGregor welcomed aboard the two-time Pro Bowler with open arms.

“I am thrilled for Maxx to join me as an owner of BKFC,” McGregor said. “He is the epitome of hard work and perseverance that is the backbone of BKFC!”

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Crosby was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. He went on to deliver a successful rookie campaign, notching ten sacks, 47 total tackles, four passes defended, and four forced fumbles. Between 2021 and 2023, Crosby was listed as one of the top 100 NFL players for each of those seasons and was a Pro Bowl selection in the previous two years.

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Unfortunately, Crosby suffered an ankle injury during a week two matchup against the Denver Broncos. He continued to play through most of the season but announced on December 14 that he would undergo surgery, bringing an end to his 2024.

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Patricio Pitbull Calls Out Francis Ngannou Over PFL Deal Dilemmas: ‘Will You Ever Speak Up for Us?’

Patricio Pitbull Calls Out Francis Ngannou Over PFL Deal Dilemmas: 'Will You Ever Speak Up for Us?'Free at last, free at least. Patricio Pitbull is free at last. And he’s got a few parting words…

Patricio Pitbull Calls Out Francis Ngannou Over PFL Deal Dilemmas: 'Will You Ever Speak Up for Us?'

Free at last, free at least. Patricio Pitbull is free at last. And he’s got a few parting words for the PFL and its top star, Francis Ngannou.

A day after Ariel Helwani broke the news that the Bellator brand would no longer be used by the Professional Fighters League, the promotion announced that it had officially released the most decorated fighter in the now-defunct organization’s history.

After news of Pitbull’s departure from the PFL started making the rounds, the former two-division champion absolutely shredded PFL co-founder Donn Davis and the sketchy business practices of a company that claims to always put fighters first.

“[PFL] is cutting a bunch of fighters and forcing others to take pay cuts of up to 70%,” Pitbull posted on X. “No respect for fighter contracts and what they’ve accomplished… The self-called fighters first organization is also changing its contracts so it’s almost impossible for fighters to be free agents and to leave on free agency.

“Also tying down fighters payments for many years and taking away all their leverage… The self-called co-leader in MMA is ghosting some fighters/ managers and leaving them with no answers while the owner makes silly and disrespectful posts on social media.”

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Patricio Pitbull calls for Ngannou’s help in building a fighter’s union

Pitbull also took aim at Ngannou, who signed a ground-breaking deal with the PFL in mid-2023 making him one of the highest paid fighters in all of mixed martial arts. ‘The Predator’ was also added to the promotion’s global advisory board to advocate for the best interest of every fighter on the roster.

“Hey @francis_ngannou are you aware of all the absurd things PFL is doing to fighters and putting on the new contracts?” Pitbull wrote. “Will you ever speak up for us? I’m thinking it’s time we start a PFL Fighters Union. What do you think?”

While Pitbull has been granted his outright release from the PFL, Pitbull later noted that the promotion still retains matching rights, meaning that the PFL could match any offer he receives from a rival promotion, thus re-signing him.

Patricio Pitbull Freire holds two Bellator titles

“I Set A Bad Example For Athletes And The Younger Generation’

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Russian Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prospect Victoria Dudakova suffered her second straight loss at UFC Vegas 101 this past weekend (Sat., Jan. 11, 2025) when he g…


UFC Fight Night: Kline v Dudakova
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Russian Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prospect Victoria Dudakova suffered her second straight loss at UFC Vegas 101 this past weekend (Sat., Jan. 11, 2025) when he got battered on the ground and eventually stopped by Fatima Kline from inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (watch highlights).

Dudakova’s loss was amplified when she was caught on camera slapping her coach after her disappointing loss.

Check it out:

Now that the dust has settled, the Russian took to her Instagram to apologize for her actions.

“Emotions are a little off…

First and foremost, I would like to apologize to my husband and my coach,” Dudakova wrote. “I was sorry that in such a difficult moment, he turned his back on me and didn’t want to enter the cage. This is not an excuse and I am not looking for excuses for myself. I did wrong, I couldn’t cope with my emotions. I set a bad example for athletes and the younger generation.

I also want to apologize to sports fans.

Thanks to everyone who stays with me in this difficult situation”

After starting her career undefeated and with a lot of hype, Dudakova (8-2) has dropped two straight and missed weight in one of her two UFC wins.

At just 25 years old, she has plenty of time to turn her career around—if she gets a new UFC contract after going 2-2.

For complete UFC Vegas 101 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.

‘Hopefully I’m In A Listening Mood When I Go Out There’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Listen to your coach? Nah!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) resident loudmouth and fan favorite Kevin Holland returns to action at UFC 311 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) against fo…


UFC 307: Press Conference
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Listen to your coach? Nah!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) resident loudmouth and fan favorite Kevin Holland returns to action at UFC 311 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) against former ONE Championship two-division champion-turned-UFC fighter Reinier de Ridder, which is set to go down inside the brand-new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

On paper, Holland vs. De Ridder sticks out like a sore thumb as an old-school UFC 1-style matchup between a grappler and a striker, and ultimately, that might be what it turns out to be.

Nevertheless, Holland’s motive is simple—to put on a show, as he tends to do, whether or not that includes listening to his coach, Bob Perez.

“[I’m looking at this fight the] same as any other fight, go in there and bang it out,” Holland told Demetrious Johnson. “Coaches have a game plan. They always have ideas on what I should do, and they’re usually right. It’s just a matter if go out there and implement that s—t. Hopefully, I’m in a listening mood when I go out there, but if not, I’ll give you guys what I always give you: a good scrap until it’s not.”

Holland, 32, is coming off a loss to Roman Dolizde, and he could not continue because of a nasty rib injury at UFC 307. Prior to that, he tapped Michal Oleksiejczuk, securing his eighth Performance of the Night.

On the flip side, De Ridder is coming off a sloppy win against Gerald Meerschaert in his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 100.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+/ESPNEWS “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

‘I’m Always Good In Rematches’

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Will history repeat itself?
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev makes his first appearance of 2025 at UFC 311 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) as he …


UFC 311 Press Conference
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Will history repeat itself?

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev makes his first appearance of 2025 at UFC 311 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) as he tries to become the all-time leader for UFC lightweight title fight wins (5) as he takes on No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan inside the brand-new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 is one of the most highly skilled fights the promotion can put on right now because of their elite wrestling and grappling and how close their first fight was.

However, Makhachev is very confident because he’s undefeated in rematches.

“I’m always good in rematches; he has to be ready,” Makhachev told Kevin Iole. “Because [it helps] when I know my opponent, what he has to do, and what he’s going to do. I have a great team, and we made a very good plan for this fight.”

Indeed, Makhachev is dominant in rematches, even though he’s only had one. The Dagastani fighter ran it back with the UFC Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski eight months after their epic first fight, in which Makhachev was taken to the brink of defeat.

In the highly anticipated rematch, Makhachev knocked Volkanovski out in three minutes with a vicious head kick, ending their rivalry (watch highlights).

Is Makhachev setting the stage for an easy night against Tsarukyan? Well, we will all fight out in t-minus four days.

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+/ESPNEWS “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

PFL retain matching rights amid Patricio Pitbull release as fans blast leader Donn Davis

PFL retain matching rights amid Patricio Pitbull release as fans blast leader Donn DavisDespite landing his requested release from his PFL contract tonight, Brazilian veteran, Patricio Pitbull has revealed that despite executive,…

PFL retain matching rights amid Patricio Pitbull release as fans blast leader Donn Davis

Despite landing his requested release from his PFL contract tonight, Brazilian veteran, Patricio Pitbull has revealed that despite executive, Donn Davis’ official statement regarding his exit — the promotion retain matching rights — which would allow them to match any offer the former received from a new organization, and effectively resign him.

Pitbull, the current Bellator MMA featherweight champion and a former lightweight titleholder in the promotion, had requested his release from the PFL (Professional Fighters League) in recent months, noting his disappointment with his lack of activity in the SmartCage since the promotion’s merger.

Patricio Pitbull handed release from PFL following viral outburst amid fighting inactivity

Most recently featuring in the main event of Bellator Champions Series 1 last March, Patricio Pitbull successfully racked up another featherweight title defense, besting challenger, Jeremy Kennedy with a third round knockout win.

And amid a host of disgruntled fighters under the PFL banner voicing their displeasure with organizational ongoings, Pitbull was confirmed as being released from his contract tonight by co-founder, Davis.

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“We are releasing @PatricioPitbull,” Davis posted on his official X account. “@PFLMMA is all about opportunity I founded this company to create new great opportunities for top fighters PFL has and will continue to do that for all top fighters who want to be here. #PFLMMA”

PFL retain matching rights to sign Patricio Pitbull despite release

However, according to Pitbull on his own social media, despite the termination of his contract with the PFL, the promotion still retain his matching rights — which means hypothetically, if another promotions offers the Brazilian a contract to fight under their umbrella, the PFL would be offered the chance to match the deal, and resign him to a contract.

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“As much as I appreciate an earlier termination of my deal and a waiver of the exclusive negotiation period, you are stull retaining matching rights so I’m not exactly free,” Patricio Pitbull posted. “If you’re so kind to let me go, why not make it an unconditional release?”