Tag: UFC

Magomed Ankalaev Becomes Latest To Brand Jon Jones ‘Scared’ Of Tom Aspinall, Champ Hits Back

The pressure on UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones to fight Tom Aspinall is continuing to mount just days away from his first title defense. Jones will return to the cage 20 months on from his crowning in March 2023, when he debuted at heavyweight by rapidly submitting Ciryl Gane to capture the then-vacant belt. While […]

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The pressure on UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones to fight Tom Aspinall is continuing to mount just days away from his first title defense.

Jones will return to the cage 20 months on from his crowning in March 2023, when he debuted at heavyweight by rapidly submitting Ciryl Gane to capture the then-vacant belt.

While his first challenger was also penciled in last year, an injury forced Jones out of a Madison Square Garden headliner opposite the returning Stipe Miocic. A year on, the pair will give their matchup another go in the main event of UFC 309 at MSG.

That, however, is despite the presence of an interim titleholder in Aspinall, who had gold wrapped around his waist after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in their late-notice clash last November, which replaced the original Jones vs. Miocic showdown.

Having also defended his strap in the months since, Aspinall has plenty of backers when it comes to his calls for a unification fight. But not only did Jones dismiss that for his upcoming defense, he’s also seemingly planning to either hang up his gloves or target the champ from below, Alex Pereira, should he get past Miocic on Saturday night.

“Bones” has been responding to much criticism online for that stance, and though that’s seen him hit back at fans for the most part, his latest back and forth came with the top contender in the division he formerly ruled.

Commenting on a social media post detailing Jones’ recent remarks about favoring a clash with “Poatan” over his interim counterpart, Magomed Ankalaev joined in with those suggesting the Rochester native is ducking Aspinall.

“Sound like someone (scared) of big TOM,” Ankalaev wrote.

It didn’t take long for Jones to take notice of the Russian’s words, branding him ‘jealous’ and challenging the surging light heavyweight to replicate his résumé on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

“Magomed jealousy won’t earn you legend status, my friend,” Jones wrote. “Train harder, hate less. Want to truly insult me? Break some of my records first. Let’s get started.”

It stands to reason that Aspinall will be a prominent topic throughout UFC 309 fight week, especially given the interim champ’s presence in New York City as the backup fighter for the main event.

Continue Reading Magomed Ankalaev Becomes Latest To Brand Jon Jones ‘Scared’ Of Tom Aspinall, Champ Hits Back at MMA News.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Gives Comment on Retirement Consideration After Two Losses

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Retirement UFCWith a 16-9 profession MMA record, Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz says that she will not be retiring from the sport…

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Retirement UFC

With a 16-9 profession MMA record, Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz says that she will not be retiring from the sport despite two consecutive losses in the UFC.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Talks Retirement

Karolina Kowalkiewicz began her martial arts acumen at the age of 16 when she started training in Krav Maga. It was an initial interest in self-defense but eventually led her to explore other disciplines, including Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Kowalkiewicz made her professional MMA debut in May 2012 in Poland. She quickly gained attention for her technical skills, amassing an impressive undefeated record of seven wins in her first three-and-a-half years as a pro. During this time, Karolina Kowalkiewicz primarily fought for the Poland-based KSW promotion, where she became the Women’s Flyweight Champion.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz

In 2015, she signed with the UFC. Her success continued as she won her next three fights, including a notable victory over Rose Namajunas at UFC 201, which earned her a Fight of the Night bonus. Kowalkiewicz’s impressive performances in the UFC led to a title shot against then-champion Joanna J?drzejczyk in November 2016 at UFC 205. Although she lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz

In 2018, she went on a five-fight skid but recovered in 2022 putting together four consecutive wins. However, she’s dropped her most recent two bouts including this past weekend. Given that she is 39 years old, retirement may be something to consider. On Social Media, she dissented and said:

“My heart is broken. Give me some time and I’ll see you soon, I’m not going to retire don’t worry.”

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Miles Johns Rebooked For Tampa After Garbrandt Cancellation

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards. With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week. Between Monday, November 4, and Sunday, November […]

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Miles Johns Rebooked For Tampa After Garbrandt Cancellation at MMA News.

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, November 4, and Sunday, November 10, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:

But it wasn’t all positive, with three fights falling through or being adjusted. For those, see below:

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Miles Johns Rebooked For Tampa After Garbrandt Cancellation at MMA News.

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC’s $6 Million Gamble on Cody Garbrandt

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC's $6 Million Gamble on Cody GarbrandtAccording to T.J. Dillashaw, the UFC put big money into trying to make Cody Garbrandt the next Conor McGregor…

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC's $6 Million Gamble on Cody Garbrandt

According to T.J. Dillashaw, the UFC put big money into trying to make Cody Garbrandt the next Conor McGregor

While Garbrandt is a former bantamweight world champion — defeating Dominick Cruz to claim the title in 2016 — ‘No Love’ has never been able to replicate the success he had that night.

Cody Garbrandt

Garbrandt promptly lost the title to Dillashaw in his first defense and proceeded to lose five of his next six fights after stunning Cruz.

Garbrandt showed some flashes of his old self, earning back-to-back wins against Trevin Giles and Brian Kelleher, but he found his way back into the loss column at UFC 300 against former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo.

Cody Garbrandt

The UFC threw down Big Money on Cody Garbrandt

Recently, Dillashaw — a two-time opponent of Garbrandt — claimed that the UFC had gone all-in on promoting ‘No Love,’ believing he could become a star as big as ‘Mystic Mac.’

“[Garbrandt] had an amazing fight against Cruz…The UFC’s like, ‘Hey, this is our next big horse,” Dillashaw said on The Casuals MMA podcast. “Let’s put some money into him’. So they marketed the sh*t out of him, put him in a bunch of commercials, got some celebrities behind him. From what I was told, they put like $6 million into marketing him before our fight…So he went to massive stardom fast. They wanted him to be the next Conor McGregor” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Garbrandt was scheduled for a return to action on November 9 against Miles Johns, but an injury forced him to bow out of the bout. ‘No Love’ is 9-6 under the UFC banner, 14-6 overall.

Cody Garbrandt

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC’s $6 Million Gamble on Cody Garbrandt

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC's $6 Million Gamble on Cody GarbrandtAccording to T.J. Dillashaw, the UFC put big money into trying to make Cody Garbrandt the next Conor McGregor…

Can Big Money Buy the Next Superstar? Inside UFC's $6 Million Gamble on Cody Garbrandt

According to T.J. Dillashaw, the UFC put big money into trying to make Cody Garbrandt the next Conor McGregor

While Garbrandt is a former bantamweight world champion — defeating Dominick Cruz to claim the title in 2016 — ‘No Love’ has never been able to replicate the success he had that night.

Cody Garbrandt

Garbrandt promptly lost the title to Dillashaw in his first defense and proceeded to lose five of his next six fights after stunning Cruz.

Garbrandt showed some flashes of his old self, earning back-to-back wins against Trevin Giles and Brian Kelleher, but he found his way back into the loss column at UFC 300 against former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo.

Cody Garbrandt

The UFC threw down Big Money on Cody Garbrandt

Recently, Dillashaw — a two-time opponent of Garbrandt — claimed that the UFC had gone all-in on promoting ‘No Love,’ believing he could become a star as big as ‘Mystic Mac.’

“[Garbrandt] had an amazing fight against Cruz…The UFC’s like, ‘Hey, this is our next big horse,” Dillashaw said on The Casuals MMA podcast. “Let’s put some money into him’. So they marketed the sh*t out of him, put him in a bunch of commercials, got some celebrities behind him. From what I was told, they put like $6 million into marketing him before our fight…So he went to massive stardom fast. They wanted him to be the next Conor McGregor” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Garbrandt was scheduled for a return to action on November 9 against Miles Johns, but an injury forced him to bow out of the bout. ‘No Love’ is 9-6 under the UFC banner, 14-6 overall.

Cody Garbrandt

‘This Dude Is Legit’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Adds Neil Magny To His List Of KO Victims At UFC Vegas 100

The violent start to Carlos Prates’ Octagon career continued at the expense of veteran contender Neil Magny at UFC Vegas 100. Prates had already staked a strong claim for this year’s Newcomer of the Year accolade, having followed a contract-winning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series 14 months ago with three straight UFC knockouts in […]

Continue Reading ‘This Dude Is Legit’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Adds Neil Magny To His List Of KO Victims At UFC Vegas 100 at MMA News.

The violent start to Carlos Prates’ Octagon career continued at the expense of veteran contender Neil Magny at UFC Vegas 100.

Prates had already staked a strong claim for this year’s Newcomer of the Year accolade, having followed a contract-winning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series 14 months ago with three straight UFC knockouts in 2024.

And if his brutal finishes of Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, and Li Jingliang weren’t enough to get some aboard the Prates hype train, his quick night at the office opposite “The Haitian Sensation” Saturday night likely did the trick.

The Brazilian immediately had his grappling defense tested by Magny, who looked to avoid his opponent’s renowned power at any and all cost.

But the 37-year-old quickly found himself hurt and backpedaling after being struck by the prolific knockout artist. And with short time remaining in round one, “The Nightmare” shut Magny’s lights out and faceplanted him with a glancing left hand.

Prates Showered With Praise After Magny KO In UFC Vegas 100 Main Event

Unsurprisingly, the MMA community was abuzz in the aftermath of the Brazilian’s latest display of violence. Both fellow fighters and fans took to social media to express shock and awe.

The common theme? “Legit.”

With the result, “The Nightmare’s” winning run now stands at 11 straight fights spanning seven years. He’s expected to inherit Magny’s #15 spot inside the welterweight rankings come next week’s update.

“The Haitian Sensation,” meanwhile, has now lost consecutive bouts for the first time since 2013. While his year opened in style when he stalled the surge of Canada’s Mike Malott, he’s now dropped back-to-back outings against two highly regarded names in Michael Morales and Prates.

Continue Reading ‘This Dude Is Legit’ – Fans & Fighters React As Carlos Prates Adds Neil Magny To His List Of KO Victims At UFC Vegas 100 at MMA News.