Tag: UFC

Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his physical condition ahead of this weekend’s pay-per-view. Jones will return to the main event spotlight on Saturday night to headline UFC 309, set to play out inside the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Rochester native was previously slated to do […]

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UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his physical condition ahead of this weekend’s pay-per-view.

Jones will return to the main event spotlight on Saturday night to headline UFC 309, set to play out inside the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Rochester native was previously slated to do so for the promotion’s 2023 visit to the iconic venue, but a torn pectoral tendon forced a postponement of his title defense against the returning Stipe Miocic.

12 months on — and despite many taking issue with “Bones” facing Miocic over interim champ Tom Aspinall — the pair will give their matchup a second go in “The Big Apple.”

Jones is unsurprisingly confident of his chances against Miocic, who hasn’t competed in three and a half years. But he seemingly wouldn’t describe himself as being at 100 percent himself when he enters the Octagon again.

During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Jones looked back on his recovery and assessed how his training has compared to the lead-up to his canceled clash with Miocic last year.

“Bones” admitted that his strength is somewhat down from this time 12 months ago and suggested that other competitors might not be returning from a pectoral tear at this stage.

“I took my recovery pretty seriously. Right now, I feel like I’m in the shape of my life,” Jones said. “This is about as soon as I should be back in the cage. The injury was anywhere from eight months to a year. … Some athletes would still be using this time to recover but I know this sport only waits for so long.

“I do feel healed enough to be in there. I’m not as strong as I used to be but I’m smarter than ever, I have a lot of experience, and I’m plenty strong,” Jones continued. “Before my pec tear, I was benching like, 315 (pounds) I could do for five reps and I had about a 500-pound squat for a few reps. I was pretty strong. Now, I feel incredibly strong still but not like, superhuman strength the way I used to feel.”

While apparently not in the kind of condition he was set to enter UFC 295 in last year, Jones is evidently confident that he’s ready to make his return 20 months on from his crowning as heavyweight kingpin.

Continue Reading Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury  at MMA News.

First Three Fights Announced For UFC 312 In Sydney On February 8

The lineup for UFC 312 next February is beginning to take shape. While a location and venue is yet to be announced for the mixed martial arts leader’s very first pay-per-view of 2025, its second will see the Octagon back on Australian soil in February. For the first time since UFC 293 in September 2023, […]

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The lineup for UFC 312 next February is beginning to take shape.

While a location and venue is yet to be announced for the mixed martial arts leader’s very first pay-per-view of 2025, its second will see the Octagon back on Australian soil in February.

For the first time since UFC 293 in September 2023, the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney will play host as the promotion returns Down Under. And with the Feb. 8 event less than three months away, the matchups are beginning to roll out.

The official UFC account for Australia and New Zealand announced the first three additions to the UFC 312 lineup on social media this week, with three Aussies set for action on home turf.

Perhaps most notable is the return of formerly ranked light heavyweight Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) at UFC 312. The 28-year-old hasn’t competed since a submission loss to Alonzo Menifield in mid-2023 and is without a win since 2020. He’ll look to change that statistic at the expense of Poland’s Marcin Prachnio (17-8) next year.

Elsewhere, there’s a chance for flyweight prospect Stewart Nicoll (8-1) to get redemption in front of his compatriots. “Kakamora” debuted at UFC 305 in Perth this past August as a highly touted, undefeated newcomer but was quickly caught in a guillotine choke by Jesus Aguilar. If he’s to immediately bounce back, Nicoll must blemish the perfect record of Road to UFC standout Rei Tsuruya (10-0).

And there will be heavy intrigue surrounding the debut of Australia’s Quillan Salkilld (7-1). After a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series this past September, the former Eternal MMA champion will arrive in the Octagon opposite India’s Anshul Jubli (7-1).

The headliners are yet to be announced for UFC 312, but recent rumors have placed a possible clash between Israel Adesanya and either Caio Borralho or Nassourdine Imavov on the card. Australia’s own Alexander Volkanovski has also been campaigning for a title fight on home soil.

Continue Reading First Three Fights Announced For UFC 312 In Sydney On February 8 at MMA News.

UFC 309: Michael Chandler Maintains There’s ‘Quit’ In Charles Oliveira Despite Comeback In First Fight

Getting beaten by Charles Oliveira back in 2022 hasn’t stopped Michael Chandler from reiterating his belief that there’s “quit” in his UFC 309 opponent. While all eyes are on Jon Jones and his long-awaited first title defense this weekend, he’s not the only notable name returning to action following a lengthy layoff. Also set to […]

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Getting beaten by Charles Oliveira back in 2022 hasn’t stopped Michael Chandler from reiterating his belief that there’s “quit” in his UFC 309 opponent.

While all eyes are on Jon Jones and his long-awaited first title defense this weekend, he’s not the only notable name returning to action following a lengthy layoff.

Also set to make the walk at Madison Square Garden is lightweight contender Chandler, who hasn’t competed since a defeat to Dustin Poirier at the venue two years ago. That’s been largely down to a failed wait to fight Conor McGregor, but with that now in the past, “Iron” has his sights on a familiar foe.

The former Bellator champion will co-headline Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view in a rematch with Oliveira. When the pair first collided back in May 2021, “Do Bronx” mounted a memorable comeback to stop Chandler with strikes early in round two.

Having predicted that he’d break Oliveira in the lead-up, the American expressed shock at his ability to survive a first round onslaught, explaining in the aftermath that he “truly believed he was going to quit.”

Despite being proven wrong, though, Chandler is sharing a similar theory days out from UFC 309…

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Chandler was asked whether he’s entering the Nov. 16 event with the same thoughts about Oliveira’s ability to handle animosity inside the cage.

Overcoming near-finishes against him, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier in recent years evidently wasn’t enough to rid the “quit” narrative entirely for the ex-lightweight kingpin.

“I do (still believe that),” Chandler said. “I’m not calling him a quitter, but I do know I didn’t put myself in the position to fight him for long enough, to put pressure on him for long enough, to instill second-guessing and doubts into his mind and spirit for long enough for that exit sign to be found. This time, I think we will.”

Chandler will hope to prove as much this time around, as he looks to stake his claim for a second shot at adding UFC gold to his résumé in mixed martial arts.

Should he accomplish that feat, fans will witness “Iron” having his hand raised for the first time since a brutal front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson in 2022.

Continue Reading UFC 309: Michael Chandler Maintains There’s ‘Quit’ In Charles Oliveira Despite Comeback In First Fight at MMA News.

UFC Rankings Report: Carlos Prates’ Welterweight Entry Point Revealed

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated UFC rankings. And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings. Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes. Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes. Women’s Strawweight: Gillian […]

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Carlos Prates’ Welterweight Entry Point Revealed at MMA News.

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated UFC rankings.

And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson’s victory over Luana Pinheiro at the Apex has boosted her status at 115 pounds. The submission specialist has climbed two places to #12, leaving both Angela Hill (#13) and Pinheiro (#14) a spot worse off.

Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

Women’s Bantamweight: A week after moving into the rankings following Germaine de Randamie’s retirement, Jacqueline Cavalcanti hasn’t needed to fight in order to keep climbing. The Brazilian has leapfrogged Chelsea Chandler (#14) to secure the #15 position.

Flyweight: No changes.

Bantamweight: No changes.

Featherweight: No changes.

Lightweight: No changes.

Welterweight: Carlos Prates has unsurprisingly had a number placed next to his name following Saturday’s main event. After knocking out Neil Magny in the first round for his fourth straight win of the year, “The Nightmare” has entered the UFC rankings at #13. That’s put Michael “Venom” Page (#15) on the final step of the ladder and eliminated the defeated Magny entirely.

Middleweight: No changes.

Light Heavyweight: No changes.

Heavyweight: No changes,

You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Carlos Prates’ Welterweight Entry Point Revealed at MMA News.

PHOTOS: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler Ahead Of UFC 309

The UFC appears to be continuing its trend of designing tailored fight kits for its top athletes, with Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler next in line to enjoy this stylish touch for their highly anticipated matchups at UFC 309. The penultimate UFC pay-per-view event of the year is set to electrify Madison Square […]

Continue Reading PHOTOS: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler Ahead Of UFC 309 at MMA News.

The UFC appears to be continuing its trend of designing tailored fight kits for its top athletes, with Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler next in line to enjoy this stylish touch for their highly anticipated matchups at UFC 309.

The penultimate UFC pay-per-view event of the year is set to electrify Madison Square Garden in New York City this weekend. In the headliner, Miocic will challenge reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, while the co-main event of UFC 309 features a high-stakes, five-round rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

As Miocic gears up for his first Octagon appearance in over there years, the former longtime heavyweight champion will debut custom fight shorts from Venum, the UFC’s official fight kit provider. Designed to honor his Croatian heritage, Miocic’s shorts showcase a checkered pattern on one side and the Croatian coat of arms on the other, drawing inspiration directly from Croatia’s flag.

The 42-year-old Ohio native last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he succumbed to a second-round knockout by Francis Ngannou, forfeiting his heavyweight title in the process.

Meanwhile, Oliveira, coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April, will step into the Octagon wearing abstract, multicolored shorts with his moniker, “Do Bronx,” emblazoned on one side. The inspiration behind this striking design remains unknown.

On the flip side, Chandler will don black shorts accented with gray straps and stars at UFC 309, a tribute to the American flag. “Iron” is making his long-awaited return after a two-year hiatus, following his submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

The custom shorts for the fighters featured at UFC 309 add to the already revealed gear for “Bones,” which showcases two fierce red lions along with Philippians 4:13, the Bible verse Jones has inked on his chest.

Continue Reading PHOTOS: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler Ahead Of UFC 309 at MMA News.

Max Holloway To Be Subject Of New Documentary Following His Life & UFC Career In 2025

Max Holloway is reportedly set to be the focus of an upcoming documentary, which will offer an in-depth look at both his personal journey and professional career. According to a recent report by Deadline, Dream Bay Entertainment and Hamblin Imagery have partnered to produce an untitled film about “Blessed” in 2025. Touted as the ultimate […]

Continue Reading Max Holloway To Be Subject Of New Documentary Following His Life & UFC Career In 2025 at MMA News.

Max Holloway is reportedly set to be the focus of an upcoming documentary, which will offer an in-depth look at both his personal journey and professional career.

According to a recent report by Deadline, Dream Bay Entertainment and Hamblin Imagery have partnered to produce an untitled film about “Blessed” in 2025. Touted as the ultimate documentary on his life, the project promises to offer an unparalleled look into the journey of the former UFC featherweight champion.

Peter Hamblin is set to direct the project and serve as an executive producer, with Dream Bay founder Thomas Drachkovitch also joining as an executive producer

The documentary will chronicle “Blessed” as he steps into what promises to be the most significant year of his life, both inside and outside the Octagon. It will trace Holloway’s ascent to UFC stardom, his enduring legacy as one of the sport’s most resilient and captivating fighters, and his journey as a devoted father and proud native of Hawaii.

The film will feature exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and behind-the-scenes access, offering a deep dive into his grueling training camps as he gears up for career-defining showdowns in 2025.

Holloway is coming off the first knockout defeat of his career, having been floored by reigning 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, marking a tough setback in his third attempt at regaining the title.

The 32-year-old Hawaiian fighter secured the BMF title with a dramatic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje in a lightweight clash at UFC 300 this past April.

Following his recent loss to Topuria, Holloway has openly stated his intention to leave the featherweight division behind and concentrate on pursuing success at 155 pounds.

Continue Reading Max Holloway To Be Subject Of New Documentary Following His Life & UFC Career In 2025 at MMA News.