Tag: UFC 295

Derek Brunson released from UFC contract after 11 year tenure, November fight with Roman Dolidze scrapped

Derek Brunson released from the UFC after 11 year run fight with Roman Dolidze cancelledDominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has confirmed his client, veteran middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has been released from his contract with the UFC following an 11-year tenure, despite booking a fight with Georgian challenger, Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden.  Per an initial report from MMA Fighting, as per UFC […]

Derek Brunson released from the UFC after 11 year run fight with Roman Dolidze cancelled

Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has confirmed his client, veteran middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has been released from his contract with the UFC following an 11-year tenure, despite booking a fight with Georgian challenger, Roman Dolidze at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden. 

Per an initial report from MMA Fighting, as per UFC officials, Brunson has been released from his contract with the promotion, with his bout against Dolidze, which was scheduled to take place at UFC 295 on November 11., now scrapped.

Confirming Brunson’s departure from the UFC, the aforenoted, Abdelaziz claimed the 39-year-old “has to move on” from competing under the Dana White-led banner. 

“Derek Brunson has been under the UFC umbrella for 11 years,” Ali Abdelaziz said in a statement released to MMA Fighting. “He had an amazing career there. The last seven years he’s been in the top 10 rankings. The UFC was amazing to him there, helped shape who he is today and I’m very grateful for the opportunity he was given. He has to move on and looking forward to what comes next for him.” 

Derek Brunson was scheduled to fight at UFC 295 in November

Most recently competing back in March of this year, Brunson slumped to his second consecutive loss, dropping a second round corner stoppage TKO loss to Dricus du Plessis, which followed a prior knockout loss to Jared Cannonier in the pair’s title-eliminator.

Between 2019 and 2021, Brunson had enjoyed an impressive run of five consecutive victories, defeating the late, Elias Theodorou, Ian Heinisch, Edmen Shahbazyan, Kevin Holland, and former welterweight title challenger, Darren Till in a main event slot. 

Across his storied career, the North Carolina veteran has also landed notable career victories over the likes of Chris Leben, Lorenz Larkin, Sam Alvey, Roan Carneiro, Uriah Hall, and former light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida. 

What do you make of Derek Brunson’s 11-year stint under the UFC banner?

Fans lash out as ticket prices for Jon Jones’ return at UFC 295 against Stipe Miocic reach in excess of $112,000

Fans lash out ticket prices for UFC 295 Jon Jones Stipe Miocic more than $112,000Fans across social media have hit out, after news surfaced revealing one fan paid in excess of $112,000 to attend UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden – to take in Jon Jones’ Octagon return and heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic. UFC 295, which takes place in two months’ time, has yet to […]

Fans lash out ticket prices for UFC 295 Jon Jones Stipe Miocic more than $112,000

Fans across social media have hit out, after news surfaced revealing one fan paid in excess of $112,000 to attend UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden – to take in Jon Jones’ Octagon return and heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic.

UFC 295, which takes place in two months’ time, has yet to receive its official co-main event slot, with an expected welterweight title fight between the incumbent, Leon Edwards, and former champion, Colby Covington yet to be finalized at the time of publication.

However, despite the lack of an entire card fielded by the organization, fans have been forced to fork out in excess of $1,000 for a single ticket to attend Jones return fight against Miocic – a former two-time heavyweight champion, who makes his comeback for the first time in over three years. 

In contrast, for Alex Pereira’s middleweight title defense at UFC 287 back in April in Miami, Florida in his eventual title loss to former champion, Israel Adesanya, the highest-priced ticket sold for a whopping $31,730.

Fans are forced to spend a huge chunk of cash to attend Jon Jones’ return at UFC 295

However, for UFC 295 in November, a fan has splashed out an eye-watering $112,236,80 for a seat to watch Jones take on Miocic – which has been speculated as the final occasion one, if not both men enter the Octagon for the final time. 

And it doesn’t appear to be just best viewing seats which have garnered a huge price tag, one user on social media platform, X (formally Twitter), claimed that seat prices in the upper tiers and stands at Madison Square Garden are priced currently in excess of $900. 

UFC 295 takes place on November 11. from Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the aforenoted undisputed heavyweight title fight between defending champion, Jon Jones, and former titleholder, Stipe Miocic slated to take main event honors. 

Will you be forking out massive money to watch Jon Jones compete at UFC 295?

Rafael dos Anjos calls out Dustin Poirier for UFC 295 clash at MSG: ‘This fight would get me fired up’

Rafael dos Anjos calls for fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 295 in NovemberHaving faced the who’s who of the lightweight division, former undisputed division champion, Rafael dos Anjos has called for a fresh pairing against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier – suggesting a showdown at UFC 295 in Novembet at Madison Square Garden. dos Anjos, a former undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC Vegas 78 […]

Rafael dos Anjos calls for fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 295 in November

Having faced the who’s who of the lightweight division, former undisputed division champion, Rafael dos Anjos has called for a fresh pairing against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier – suggesting a showdown at UFC 295 in Novembet at Madison Square Garden.

dos Anjos, a former undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC Vegas 78 earlier this month, suffering an eventual unanimous decision loss to fellow Brazilian standout, Vicente Luque in a welterweight pairing.

As for Poirier, the former interim lightweight champion most recently headlined UFC 291 back in July himself, suffering a spectacular second round high-kick KO loss to fellow former interim champion, Justin Gaethje – in the pair’s symbolic BMF championship clash.

Rafael dos Anjos offers to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 295 in November

Announcing plans earlier this week for a return to the Octagon before the close of this year, Poirier appears to have found a willing dance partner in the form of Niteroi veteran, dos Anjos, who is searching for his own return to the winner’s enclosure.

“Let’s do it!” Rafael dos Anjos posted on his official X account. “Big respect for what you’ve accomplished @DustinPoirier, this fight would get me fired up.” 

Himself striking undisputed lightweight gold back in 2015, Brazilian fan-favorite, dos Anjos turned in a dominant unanimous decision win over former champion and common-foe, Anthony Pettis, before stopping Donald Cerrone in December of that year in the pair’s title fight rematch. 

In his most recent win, dos Anjos managed to stop Bryan Barberena at the welterweight limit of 170lbs at UFC Fight Night Orlando, wrapping up a second round neck crank submission win back in December of last year. 

Two perennial lightweight contenders, dos Anjos’ most recent Octagon walk at the limit came in a main event clash with Rafael Fiziev back in July of last year, suffering an early fifth round KO loss. 

Would you like to see Rafael dos Anjos fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 295 in November?

Sergei Pavlovich expected to serve as backup to Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic title fight at UFC 295 in November

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295Surging knockout artist, Sergie Pavlovich is expected to serve as an official back up fighter to November’s undisputed heavyweight title fight between champion, Jon Jones, and former two-time division titleholder, Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Pavlovich, the current number one ranked heavyweight contender, most recently […]

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295

Surging knockout artist, Sergie Pavlovich is expected to serve as an official back up fighter to November’s undisputed heavyweight title fight between champion, Jon Jones, and former two-time division titleholder, Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Pavlovich, the current number one ranked heavyweight contender, most recently cemented his status as the top contender in the weight class back in April, earning a Performance of the Night bonus with a stunning first round TKO win over perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes.

Sergei Pavlovich set to serve as backup to UFC 295 title fight in November

And according to a report from MMA Fighting, sources confirmed to them how Russian contender, Sergei Pavlovich will serve as an official backup to the UFC 295 headliner, following an initial report from Russian reporter, Igor Lazorin. 

18-1 as a professional, Pavlovich, whose sole professional loss came in the form of a first round ground strikes TKO loss to former title challenger, Alistair Overeem in his 2018 bow under the UFC banner, has since managed to embark on an impressive six-fight winning run. 

The former Fight Nights Global heavyweight gold holder enjoyed an impressive calendar year en route to his number one rank in the division, landing a quartet of knockout wins over Shamil Abdurakhimov, as well as former title challenger, Derrick Lewis, incoming UFC 293 co-headliner, Tai Tuivasa, and the above-mentioned, Blaydes. 

As for currently slated event headliners, Jones and Miocic – the duo have been linked with a potential retirement from mixed martial arts competition regardless of result in November at UFC 295, with the two enjoying stellar, gold-laden professional mixed martial arts careers.

However, fans have clamored for Jon Jones, in particular, to attempt a heavyweight title defense against Sergei Pavlovich, if and when the Endicott native defends his crown against Ohio veteran, Miocci at UFC 295. 

Will Sergei Pavlovich’s services be required at UFC 295 later this year?

Jon Jones is having nightmares about fighting Stipe Miocic at UFC 295: ‘I still get really nervous’

Jon JonesJon Jones has Stipe Miocic on his mind. In March, ‘Bones’ made his triumphant return to the Octagon, securing a slick first-round submission against Ciryl Gane to capture the UFC heavyweight title. Next’ Jon Jones will attempt to solidify himself as the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts as he puts his […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones has Stipe Miocic on his mind.

In March, ‘Bones’ made his triumphant return to the Octagon, securing a slick first-round submission against Ciryl Gane to capture the UFC heavyweight title. Next’ Jon Jones will attempt to solidify himself as the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts as he puts his title on the line against the general consensus heavyweight GOAT, Stipe Miocic.

The pair will square off on November 11 when the promotion returns to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, for UFC 295. With a few months to go before their highly anticipated showdown, Jon Jones is already getting mentally prepared for his next fight, revealing in a recent interview that Miocic is already weighing heavily on his mind.

“I feel like when you get to a place when you don’t feel anything is probably when it’s time to hang it up and try something different,” Jones said on the OverDogs podcast. “At this point, I still get really nervous, man. I have nightmares about my opponents. About every hour, Stipe Miocic will cross my mind. He will cross my mind. I could be having a drink, you name it, he crosses my mind. I could be at my kid’s volleyball game and I thinking about Stipe. There’s a lot of mental that goes into it that I don’t think people realize. But the goal is to just conquer that” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Jon Jones Expects Stipe Miocic to Come into UFC 295 as Dangerous as Ever

Miocic, 41, will likely walk away from the sport no matter the outcome at UFC 295, but Jon Jones knows that the former two-time heavyweight champ will come into their clash at MSG ready to put a stamp on his already illustrious career, regardless of his of age or post-fight plans.

“Stipe has balls. He has courage,” Jones said. “He’s not the youngest fighter, but that is a man. That is a man. I’m not the youngest either. In sports years, I’m over the hill, that’s for sure. Especially in combat sports. Stipe, he’s an honorable dude, and I know that he’s a man at the end of the day, and I know that he wants this fight. Everyone else thinks that his back’s against the wall and this is a David and Goliath situation for him, I disagree.

“I think Stipe is a very capable athlete and I think I owe it to Stipe to give him that chance to fight the best fighter ever. And I think Stipe owes it to me to give me a chance to fight the greatest heavyweight ever. I think we owe it to each other. I feel like we both would feel like we have unfinished business if we walked away not competing against each other.

“I understand where Stipe is at, just being looked past by a lot of people, and I respect him even more for training his ass off. I know that in his camp, he expects to win, so I respect him.”

Jon Jones Looks at the Future of the Heavyweight Division

Many fight fans automatically assume that Jon Jones will walk away from the sport following his showdown with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. Honestly, nobody could blame ‘Bones’ for packing it in. After dominating the light heavyweight division for years, Jones made a successful transition to heavyweight. If he comes out on top against Stipe Miocic, it would be hard to argue against Jones being dubbed the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.

But Jon Jones is admittedly intrigued by some of the young talent coming up through the heavyweight division. Specifically, Tom Aspinall. The UK standout established himself as a bonafide contender following his first-round destruction of Marcin Tybura in July. But are fighters like Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich big enough names to be worth Jon Jones’ time and effort given everything he’s already accomplished?

The champ isn’t so certain.

“As far as these younger fighters, I look at guys like Aspinall and I look at guys like Sergei [Pavlovich], dude, they’re amazing,” Jones said. “Don’t get me wrong, these guys are amazing. They’re starching people in the first round. But as I get older I have to look at it as a business and not just speak out of pride, I have to speak out of my legacy and as a business.

“If the hardcore fans know who these guys are, that’s great, but at the end of the day, I need to fight people that the mainstream public is going to be excited about, because there’s always going to be this new challenge that’s younger than you and everyone is going to want to see if you can do it one more time. It is what it is.”

Tom Aspinall certainly got the attention of Jon Jones after his impressive win over Tybura, but whether or not they ever share the Octagon remains to be seen.

“Tom Aspinall, I think he has the potential to do something really special in the heavyweight division,” Jones said. “I think he’s going to be hard for the majority of guys to beat, I really do believe that.”

Stephen Thompson hellbent on landing UFC 295 fight with ex-Champion Kamaru Usman: ‘Let’s freakin’ go’

Stephen Thompson calls for UFC 295 fight with Kamaru Usman let's freakin' goKeen to land his first Octagon walk of the year, former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson appears hellbent on landing a future title-eliminator against former division best, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden. Simpsonville striker, Thompson, has yet to feature since he headlined UFC Orlando back in December of […]

Stephen Thompson calls for UFC 295 fight with Kamaru Usman let's freakin' go

Keen to land his first Octagon walk of the year, former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson appears hellbent on landing a future title-eliminator against former division best, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden.

Simpsonville striker, Thompson, has yet to feature since he headlined UFC Orlando back in December of last year against Kevin Holland – forcing an eventual fourth round corner stoppage TKO win over the Californian.

Booked to feature on the main card of UFC 291 at the end of July, Thompson saw a bout with Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira fall to the wayside after the latter missed non-title weight by four pounds for the welterweight clash.

And electing against fighting Pereira at a catchweight limit, Thompson has also revealed that he rejected the possibility of fighting the highly-touted, Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 293 next month in Sydney, Australia.

Stephen Thompson echoes call for UFC 295 return with Kamaru Usman

Also receiving a recent call out from Dublin striker, Ian Machado Garry, Thompson has also distanced himself from that clash – stressing that he has no desire to land a “gatekeeper” moniker, instead focusing on a potential fight with Usman.

“I told UFC, ‘Look, I’ll fight the JDMs (Jack Della Maddalena), I will fight the Ian Garry’s, just give me a full training camp,” Stephen Thompson said on his YouTube channel. “And then a few days later, lo and behold, Kamaru Usman calls me out. Let’s freakin’ go.”

“I want to show the UFC – and not just the UFC, but the fans, that I’m not a gatekeeper,” Stephen Thompson explained. “I am not a gatekeeper. I’ve got a small window to kind of do what I want to do with the fight game. I’m 40 years old, and when I see a chance to go for another title shot before it’s over, when Kamaru Usman calls me out, I’m like, dude? No brainer. No brainer.” 

Himself sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 286 back in March, former pound-for-pound number one, Usman headlined the London event in title trilogy rubber match with Leon Edwards, dropping a close, majority decision loss to the Birmingham native. 

Would you like to see Stephen Thompson fight Kamaru Usman next?