Author: Dan Hiergesell

Jon Jones is not stopping in his pursuit of a heavyweight title fight with current UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Despite the promotion already looking into a rematch between Ngannou and Derrick Lewis for later this year “Bones” remains confident that he can get a deal done with UFC and finally settle the beef over his heavyweight asking price.

Until Jones is able to work out the kinks with UFC and put a real contract together the MMA legend is left to pick his fight with Ngannou on social media. Ngannou, who is coming off a vicious knockout finish over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 to win the heavyweight strap (highlights HERE), seems more than willing to engage. “Predator” is also hoping Jones and UFC fix their issues so the superfight can finally be booked.

Late Thursday, Jones jumped back on social media to take some more shots at Ngannou. Not only did “Bones” vow to run through the heavyweight division like he did at 205 pounds, but the former UFC champion is promising to bring the heavyweight strap back to America.

Remember, Ngannou hails from Cameroon and started his MMA career in France.

“Ran through the light heavyweight division on talent, about to run through the heavyweight division like dominoes off pure hard work.”

“Motivate me more @francis_ngannou.”

“The greatest title in the world is coming back to the greatest country in the world.”

“If you think you are going to run through America, you are wrong.”

Ngannou, who is confident that he can become the first fighter to actually defeat Jones inside of the Octagon, offered a response Friday afternoon. The UFC heavyweight champion questioned the motivation of Jones, claiming that the former light heavyweight king has already lost.

“I shouldn’t have to motivate you Jonny…if it’s not in you already you’ve already lost. I know my motivation.”

These back-and-forth exchanges are always fun to track as both guys are eager to do battle, but none of this matters unless UFC sits down with Jones and works a deal out. Ngannou is ready to schedule his rematch with Lewis so if the promotion doesn’t act fast this growing feud between the scariest fighter in the world today and the best fighter of all-time will slowly start to fade.

Streaking Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov may be putting an end to his UFC career.

Per a recent report by Russian news outlet TASS, Magomedsharipov is seriously considering walking away from the sport of MMA. Nothing is official at this time, but a source close to Zabit said there is a high possibility that the talented featherweight will no longer compete.

“With a high degree of probability, Zabit will no longer fight,” said the source.

Following the report, Igor Lazorin of TASS revealed more details regarding Zabit’s potential retirement:

Magomedsharipov, 30, burst onto the UFC scene back in 2017 and has amassed a 6-0 record ever since. The featherweight contender already holds win over notable fighters like Calvin Katter and Jeremy Stephens, and was hoping to fight his way into a title shot in 2021.

Unfortunately, Zabit can’t seem to find a fight. The Russian fighter was expected to face Yair Rodriguez in Aug. 2020 but Rodriguez was forced to pull out of the bout and UFC officials never found a replacement. Remember, Zabit hasn’t competed since his UFC main event debut against Kattar back in Nov. 2019.

Considering Zabit fought four times in one year to start his UFC career this lengthy layoff has to be killing him, especially considering he has the talent to fight for the featherweight title right now. It’s unlikely that UFC would let Zabit walk without trying to entice him back into the fold with a high-profile bout, but it’s already taken the promotion this long so who really knows how this will play out.

If Magomedsharipov is looking for a big fight to keep himself going and UFC is going to try to keep him around then maybe a matchup with former UFC featherweight Max Holloway is in the cards. It makes the most sense right now considering current champion Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to fight Brian Ortega later this year and fellow contenders Dan Ige and Chan Sung Jung will square off with one another this June.

What say you, Maniacs? Should UFC do what it can to keep Zabit around?

Let us know in the comments section below!

There’s no avoiding Jake Paul at this point in time. The social media entertainer has not only crossed over into the world of boxing to put on massive PPV shows, but the YouTube star is also showing up at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events and making the whole crowd scream in his direction.

Whether you hate him or not, there’s no denying that Paul is doing a marvelous job at self promotion. Earlier this month, Paul showed up to watch UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Fla., alongside thousands of eager fans looking to watch UFC action live for the first time in over a year. Paul managed to entice the entire crowd chant “F—k Jake Paul” and also go into an altercation with former UFC champion Daniel Cormier in the crowd (see it HERE).

Some may look at all of that as bad publicity, but Paul is doing whatever he can to attract interest for his next boxing match. The 24-year-old is coming off a blistering knockout finish over former MMA world champion Ben Askren (see it HERE) and is likely to land an even bigger fight his next time out. Now is the time for Paul to boost his brand even if it means crashing a UFC event.

UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, who called UFC 261 earlier this month, is impressed by Paul’s ability to create buzz around his boxing fights and bring in some serious numbers.

“Well, he wants to make some money. He’s a very clever fellow,” Rogan said on his podcast. “DC said, ‘Take my f***ing name out of your mouth, I’m not a kid, I will f*** you up,’ and he was like, ‘Yikes.’ Look, it’s f***ing former UFC heavyweight champion of the world. That’s not what you want.

“Let me tell you something, we were in Florida, Jacksonville, sold out arena, and they were all chanting ‘F*** Jake Paul.’ He’s filming it. He’s got his phone out, he’s like, ‘Yeah!’ (Because what he’s hearing is) money. He’s hearing ‘Cha-Ching! Cha-Ching!’ He’s making so much money, dude. He said it was 1.5 million PPV buys when he knocked out Ben Askren. I don’t know if that’s true, Dana White says it’s nonsense, but maybe. He doesn’t – who has the f***ing receipts? If he’s lying, why didn’t he say 2 million, why didn’t he say 3 million? Why’d he say 1.5? Maybe he’s telling the truth and if he’s telling the truth, they made a f***ing considerable amount of money. That’s bigger by more than double the very legitimate, three title fight UFC card of this past weekend because that apparently got 700,000 buys. Granted, these are 700,000 ESPN+ verified, absolute buys. There’s no bulls***.”

UFC president Dana White has been quite vocal about his lack of interest in ever working with someone like Paul. White even referred to Paul’s boxing matches as a “freakshow.” Still, the UFC president can’t deny the rise of Paul and the massive following he’s creating. White may not understand the interest, but he seems to be paying Paul a little more respect for his efforts.

“Listen, at the end of the day, to be honest, I hate the dildos who pop in here and say ‘Hey, pay Jake Paul!’ I hate them worse than I hate Jake Paul,” White told Morning Blitz. “But, listen, whatever with this kid. The kid is making money, man. He makes people care, he makes people give a s***. I honestly don’t hate the kid. I know there’s a lot of people who are very excited for the day when he gets clipped and gets knocked out, and it is coming. His 15 minutes are almost up but listen, the kid’s gonna make some money and good for him.”

At this point it’s unknown what Paul has in store for his next boxing venture. The social media influencer has called out UFC stars like Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, but that’s less likely to happen than White strapping on the gloves and fighting Paul himself. It’s more likely that Paul takes on a former MMA fighter or fellow celebrity next to close out 2021 and cash in once again on his growing popularity.

A botched weight cut has cost UFC Vegas 25 a “Prelims” matchup tomorrow night (Sat., May 1, 2021) live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., as Jonathan Pearce has pulled out of his clash with Gabriel Benitez after “Moggly” missed weight.

The two featherweights were expected to collide on the undercard of UFC Vegas 25 in a crucial matchup at 145 pounds. However, Benitez ended up missing weight by 4.5 pounds during Friday’s official weigh ins (replay HERE). At the time, it was expected that Pearce would still accept the fight and Benitez would have to hand over a portion of his purse.

That’s usually the way things work when two guys train for weeks and one drops the ball at weigh ins, but Pearce isn’t having it this time around. According to a recent post to his Instagram, “JSP” is not going to reward Benitez with a fight after the failed weigh in.

“Unfortunately, my opponent came in almost 5lb overweight and our fight is off. I did my part by showing up and making weight and I won’t reward him by accepting a fight and giving away any advantage. I’m trying to be smart about my career, and I hope to be back in the cage soon.”

It’s rare that a fighter doesn’t accept a fight after a weight miss, but Pearce have every right to deny Benitez. It was Benitez’s job to come in on weight and provide an even playing field for his featherweight clash with Pearce this weekend. It is unknown at this time if UFC officials are looking to reschedule this matchup for a future event.

With the cancelation of Benitez vs. Pearce, UFC Vegas 25 will now proceed with the following lineup:

UFC Vegas 25 Main Card on ESPN2/ESPN+:

205 lbs.: Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka
145 lbs.: Giga Chikadze vs. Cub Swanson
205 lbs.: Ion Cutelaba vs. Dustin Jacoby
185 lbs.: Krzysztof Jotko vs. Sean Strickland
135 lbs.: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann
125 lbs.: Poliana Botelho vs. Luana Carolina

UFC Vegas 25 Prelims Card on ESPN2/ESPN+:

115 lbs.: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro
145 lbs.: TJ Brown vs. Kai Kamaka III
115 lbs.: Sam Hughes vs. Loma Lookboonmee
185 lbs.: K.B. Bhullar vs. Andreas Michailidis
145 lbs.: Felipe Colares vs. Luke Sanders

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 25 fight card below, starting with the ESPN2/ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN2/ESPN+ main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.

Kamaru Usman scored a massive main event finish last night (Sat., Apr. 24, 2021) at UFC 261 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., when the UFC welterweight champion put Jorge Masvidal down with a one-punch knockout (highlights HERE)

In addition to the welterweight headliner, a collection of main card and “Prelims” matchups produced memorable action from start to finish. Check them out below:

• Women’s strawweight prospect Ariane Carnelossi sparked the “Prelims” undercard with an impressive TKO finish of Na Liang (see it HERE)
• Danaa Batgerel showcased his bantamweight punching power with an impressive first-round TKO finish over Kevin Natividad
• Rising middleweight contender Brendan Allen scored a slick heel hook finish over veteran striker Karl Roberson (highlights HERE)
• Flyweight prospects Jeff Molina and Aoriqileng threw down in a wild “Prelims” bout that saw Molina land 189 significant strikes and capture the unanimous decision

• Randy Brown earned a rare one-arm rear-naked choke finish in a wild welterweight clash with “Cowboy” Alex Oliveira
• Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith earned a big TKO win over rising contender Jimmy Crute
• Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman suffered a nasty broken leg in his 17-second fight with Uriah Hall (highlights HERE)
• Valentina Shevchenko defended her UFC women’s strawweight title with a dominant TKO win over veteran fighter Jessica Andrade
• Rose Namajunas captured her second UFC women’s strawweight title with a blistering head-kick KO over champion Zhang Weili (highlights HERE)

In order to sift through the action and see which fighters took home an extra $50,000, we take a closer look at the official UFC 261 bonus winners below:

Fight of the Night: Jeff Molina vs. Aoriqileng

Performance of the Night: Kamaru Usman

Performance of the Night: Rose Namajunas

For complete UFC 261 results and coverage click here.

Kamaru Usman turned in arguably his best Octagon performance to date last night (Sat., Apr. 24, 2021) at UFC 261 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., when the UFC welterweight champion slept Jorge Masvidal with a vicious second-round knockout (punches).

Masvidal came out strong with hard leg kicks, but it was Usman who landed the first big punch. The champion eventually secured his first takedown of the fight and landed a good elbow from the top. Masvidal was able to get back up to his feet but Usman was there for another right hand. “Gamebred” returned the favor with a flying knee at the end of the first.

Masvidal went back to the leg kicks in the second round and started to have some success. That’s when Usman moved in forward and landed a massive right hand that crashed into Masvidal’s chin. Masvidal’s head snapped back and he quickly fell to the canvas. “Gamebred” was already out but Usman’s follow-up punches really did him in.

Check out the full fight video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC 261 results and coverage click here.