Tag: News

2024 PFL 6: Brendan Loughnane vs. Justin Gonzales Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

PFL 6 takes place on Friday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins! The Professional Fighters League is back this week, as the organization concludes its latest global regular season with the next round of welterweight and featherweight matchups taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in […]

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PFL 6 takes place on Friday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

The Professional Fighters League is back this week, as the organization concludes its latest global regular season with the next round of welterweight and featherweight matchups taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champ Brendan Loughnane returns to action following a successful start to his campaign at PFL 3 April, where the Brit secured 6 points courtesy of a controversial first-round stoppage against Pedro Carvalho. To ensure he features in the playoffs, Loughnane is next tasked with getting the better of Justin Gonzales, who is coming off a buzzer-beating knockout defeat in round one to Gabriel Braga.

The biggest attraction at 170 pounds, meanwhile, will see former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley return to the cage in his home state. After a losing start to his debut PFL campaign against Shamil Musaev, “Storm” will need an emphatic performance against late-notice replacement opponent Luca Poclit if he’s to make the postseason.

Ahead of the event, 21 out of the 22 fighters successfully made weight, with Gabriel Braga’s 4.6-pound miss of the featherweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Thursday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the PFL 6 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Check out a live stream below via the PFL’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 7 PM ET.

2024 PFL 6 Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 6: Brendan Loughnane vs. Justin Gonzales Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream at MMA News.

‘Guys Like Me Wouldn’t Survive’ – Anthony Smith Lauds UFC’s Drug-Testing Program Ahead Of UFC 303

Anthony Smith returns this weekend at UFC 303 for his second outing of the year in what will staggeringly be his 58th professional fight. Having made his pro debut all the way back in 2008, “Lionheart” has had a front row seat to the growth of the sport over the past 16 years. One of […]

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Anthony Smith returns this weekend at UFC 303 for his second outing of the year in what will staggeringly be his 58th professional fight.

Having made his pro debut all the way back in 2008, “Lionheart” has had a front row seat to the growth of the sport over the past 16 years.

One of the biggest advancements in MMA in this time has been the attitude towards the use of performance enhancing drugs and clamping down on it.

Right before he sat down for his media day interviews ahead of his clash with Roman Dolidze this Saturday, Smith received his jacket from the UFC’s anti-doping department for submitting 50 clean tests. 

Anthony Smith Says He Wouldn’t Be Able To Compete Without The UFC’s Anti-Doping Programs

As someone that has spoken out plenty of times in the past about how damaging the use of PEDs is for this sport, Smith was incredibly proud to have been presented with this jacket as a sign of keeping MMA clean.

When he sat down to talk to the media, the first question he received was about the moment that had just transpired.

Smith spoke about how he has never been the kind of fighter that possesses natural physical advantages over his opponents.

With that in mind, he believes that keeping the playing field even through the UFC’s anti-doping programs allows fighters like himself to compete at the highest level by making the most of their other attributes.

“This means a lot to me. You guys know I’ve always been the anti-PED guy and really holding people accountable and holding their feet to the fire. Guys like me wouldn’t survive without this program. I’m not the most gifted athlete, I never have been the most gifted athlete and I’ve just always been committed. It’s not like there wasn’t opportunities early on in my career, just like a lot of people in my era. 

“That could have all been very different but without Jeff [Novitsky] and Donna [Marcolini] keeping it clean, guys like me aren’t going to make it. We’re already a little bit behind and we make up for it by being dogs and having a better work ethic and being able to go through the fire a little more than other people but if people are getting a head start on us, the guys like me aren’t going to make it.”    

Continue Reading ‘Guys Like Me Wouldn’t Survive’ – Anthony Smith Lauds UFC’s Drug-Testing Program Ahead Of UFC 303 at MMA News.

Payton Talbott Reacts To Mammoth Favorite Status At UFC 303: ‘It Kind Of Sets You Up For Failure’

UFC bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott doesn’t see anything positive about the lopsided betting odds for his upcoming return to action. After beginning life on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage with two victories at the Apex, Talbott is set for his first taste of UFC competition in front of a sold-out crowd as he looks to […]

Continue Reading Payton Talbott Reacts To Mammoth Favorite Status At UFC 303: ‘It Kind Of Sets You Up For Failure’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott doesn’t see anything positive about the lopsided betting odds for his upcoming return to action.

After beginning life on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage with two victories at the Apex, Talbott is set for his first taste of UFC competition in front of a sold-out crowd as he looks to make an impression during this year’s edition of International Fight Week.

The 25-year-old has extended his perfect record to 8-0 with wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman inside the Octagon thus far. Next up, the Las Vegas native is tasked with dispatching Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary card of UFC 303 this Saturday.

Given his two performances in the UFC to date, it’s no surprise that Talbott will make the walk at T-Mobile Arena as the favorite. What has shocked some, though, is the fact that he could close as the biggest favorite in the promotion’s history…

Talbott On ‘Crazy’ UFC 303 Odds: ‘If You Don’t Absolutely Demolish The Person…’

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott was asked about the lopsided betting lines, which currently have him at -1600 on DraftKings compared to his opponent’s +900 figure.

The rising bantamweight admitted the odds were “crazy,” and he went on to note that the heavy favorite status leaves him in a difficult position should he not run through his French opponent with ease on fight night.

“Yeah, I’ve seen a little bit (about the odds). People send me all kind of stuff,” Talbott said. “It’s kind of crazy. … It’s kind of funny. It kind of sets you up for failure, though. Because it’s like, if you don’t absolutely demolish the person in the first round, it’s like, ‘Why were you such a big favorite, you know?

“Not really,” Talbott continued when asked whether his favorite status adds pressure. “But it is one of those things where it’s like, you are expected to absolutely outclass the guy and demolish the dude. And if you don’t — I think if you remember, in my debut fight I was like, a -900 favorite. I didn’t finish him until the third round and you can see how much the betting line swayed.” 

Nevertheless, Talbott will look to push the expectations of fans and pundits to the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand on Saturday night.

While no longer on the undercard of the sport’s biggest superstar in Conor McGregor, all eyes are still expected to be on the UFC 303 event. And having had his skills confined to the Apex up to this point, Talbott will no doubt hope to make a splash.

Continue Reading Payton Talbott Reacts To Mammoth Favorite Status At UFC 303: ‘It Kind Of Sets You Up For Failure’ at MMA News.

Uriah Hall In For Darren Till, Faces Julio César Chávez Jr. On Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Undercard

The fight card and running order has been officially announced for the Most Valuable Promotions event that takes place on July 20 in Florida and features Jake Paul and Mike Perry at the top of the bill. The show has been hurriedly put together following the postponement of the bout that was originally scheduled to take […]

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The fight card and running order has been officially announced for the Most Valuable Promotions event that takes place on July 20 in Florida and features Jake Paul and Mike Perry at the top of the bill.

The show has been hurriedly put together following the postponement of the bout that was originally scheduled to take place in Arlington, Texas, on the same date between Jake Paul and heavyweight great Mike Tyson. “Iron” Mike was forced to withdraw due to health issues and the fight, which was set to be aired on streaming giant Netflix, has now been rebooked for November.

Rather than remain idle over the coming months, ‘The Problem Child’ will now face BKFC star (and former UFC fighter) Mike Perry in what many fans feel will be a much more competitive fight.

Some fighters that were originally lined up to appear on the Netflix fight card remain on the bill. Amanda Serrano, who was set to face women’s boxing legend Katie Taylor in a high-profile rematch, will now instead square off against Stevie Morgan in the co-main event.

Darren Till Replaces Another UFC Alum, Uriah Hall 

And former WBC champion Julio César Chávez Jr., who had been in line to fight former UFC middleweight Darren Till on the Texas card, still has a fight against a former mixed martial artist…but it isn’t Till.

Uriah Hall, who fought in the UFC’s middleweight division between 2013 and 2022 steps in to fight Chavez. ‘Prime Time’ amassed a 10-9 record inside the Octagon and made a successful boxing debut in 2023 on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva,which took place in Glendale Arizona.

Till last fought in the UFC in December of 2022 and parted company with the promotion on mutually agreed terms.

He revealed in an interview earlier this month that he is under contract with Most Valuable Promotions and is aiming to fight on the rescheduled November 15 card, although it is unclear if the announcement of the Chávez Jr./Hall fight will mean a change of opponent for the Scouser.

Continue Reading Uriah Hall In For Darren Till, Faces Julio César Chávez Jr. On Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Undercard at MMA News.

UFC 303 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Alex Pereira, Ji?í Procházka, Ian Garry, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, & More

We’re deep into UFC 303 fight week, meaning it’s time for the top fighters set to be in action on June 29 to take to the stage and answer some questions. The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the main attraction of International Fight Week […]

Continue Reading UFC 303 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Alex Pereira, Ji?í Procházka, Ian Garry, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, & More at MMA News.

We’re deep into UFC 303 fight week, meaning it’s time for the top fighters set to be in action on June 29 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the main attraction of International Fight Week will see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira put his belt on the line against in a rematch against Ji?í Procházka.

Setting the stage for the headliners will be a pair of top featherweights, with former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega looking to continue the momentum from his comeback win over Yair Rodríguez earlier this year by stalling the ambitions of the rising Diego Lopes.

Opening proceedings on pay-per-view, meanwhile, will be #7-ranked welterweight Ian Garry, who will mark the sophomore opponent for ex-Bellator standout Michael “Venom” Page.

As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 303 edition saw every fighter on the main card with mic in hand.

Check out a replay of the presser below via the UFC”s official YouTube channel, followed by the highlights and faceoffs.

UFC 303 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream

UFC 303 Pre-Fight Press Conference Highlights

UFC 303 Pre-Fight Press Conference Faceoffs

Continue Reading UFC 303 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Alex Pereira, Ji?í Procházka, Ian Garry, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, & More at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall Highlights Which UFC 303 Fighter Has The ‘Best Strike In MMA’ Right Now

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sees Alex Pereira’s patented left hook as a step above the rest when it comes to the current crop of strikes in mixed martial arts. Pereira will be back in action this weekend at UFC 303, a pay-per-view event headlining International Fight Week that the reigning light heavyweight titleholder […]

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Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sees Alex Pereira’s patented left hook as a step above the rest when it comes to the current crop of strikes in mixed martial arts.

Pereira will be back in action this weekend at UFC 303, a pay-per-view event headlining International Fight Week that the reigning light heavyweight titleholder has saved on short notice.

Following the withdrawal of Conor McGregor from his scheduled clash with Michael Chandler, “Poatan” accepted the call offering a rematch with Ji?í Procházka in the June 29 main event.

And when “BJP” is stood across from the Brazilian again, Aspinall believes he’ll squaring off with the most dangerous strike in the sport…

Aspinall On Pereira: ‘Literally Touches Anybody With The Left Hook & They Go Over’

During the latest episode of his Fight Lab show on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Aspinall previewed this weekend’s PPV event and assessed the two men tasked with closing out proceedings inside the T-Mobile Arena.

The Englishman paid particular attention to the champ’s leading weapon, which has helped him close the show against the likes of Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Jamahal Hill.

“If we can just add in about Alex Pereira with his left hook. It is probably the best strike in MMA at the moment,” Aspinall said. “He literally touches anybody with the left hook and they go over. Look at that…he has absolute dynamite in it.”

Having slept “Sweet Dreams” with it last time out, Pereira will look to further prove why he’s become renowned for the power in his left hook when he runs it back with Procházka at T-Mobile Arena this weekend.

The pair will top a lineup in Las Vegas that also features the likes of former title challengers Brian Ortega, Anthony Smith, and Mayra Bueno Silva, as well as undefeated welterweight contender Ian Garry.

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Highlights Which UFC 303 Fighter Has The ‘Best Strike In MMA’ Right Now at MMA News.