Tag: UFC

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria’s Coach Adds Context To His Lightweight Plans: ‘Your Body Is Changing…’

The coach of UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has explained why his man is hoping to leave the 145-pound division behind him and pursue success elsewhere. Topuria dropped a bombshell this week when he revealed that he intends on vacating the featherweight throne and making a permanent return to the lightweight class in 2025. Those […]

The coach of UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has explained why his man is hoping to leave the 145-pound division behind him and pursue success elsewhere.

Topuria dropped a bombshell this week when he revealed that he intends on vacating the featherweight throne and making a permanent return to the lightweight class in 2025.

Those comments come one defense into the Spaniard’s reign, which begun with an emphatic knockout of Alexander Volkanovski this past February. He’s since repeated the feat at the expense of Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi to keep hold of the belt.

While many have been pondering a rematch with “Alexander the Great” or first-time clashes with in-form contenders like Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes, Topuria is instead looking to compete in a title eliminator against Charles Oliveira at 155 pounds.

Many have been shocked by “El Matador’s” remarks, and during a recent appearance on Submission Radio, his coach added some context behind the decision by noting that a lack of motivation from potential opposition isn’t the reason.

“I think he is — he hates that weight (cut),” Climent said. “He do it a lot of times and it’s (much) harder every time we do it. He don’t want to do this anymore, and that’s why I want to go up to the next weight class.

“His normal way is in that weight class (lightweight),” Climent continued. “Ilia fighting (featherweight), he’s young, you know? Your body is changing. When you’re 20, you have the body. When you’re 25, you have another. And when you are 30, you have another, you know? Sometimes I see Ilia at 85 kilos, you know, and he needs to be 66. We do a very big weight cut.”

While Topuria and Islam Makhachev have gone back and forth in recent months, the lightweight champ currently has business to attend to against Arman Tsarukyan before entertaining the prospect of a clash with his featherweight counterpart.

That fact has left “El Matador” targeting another top name in the division in Oliveira, who staked his claim for a shot at redemption against the UFC 311 main event winner by dominating Michael Chandler last month.

It remains to be seen whether or not Topuria really will relinquish his champ status in the new year.

Manel Kape: Referee Mike Beltran Should Have Been Fired For ‘B*tch Move’ In Muhammad Mokaev Fight

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is set to return this weekend in Tampa where he closes out his 2024 campaign by facing off with the dangerous Bruno Silva at the Amelie Arena. This contest will be his first fight back since his controversial clash with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July. […]

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is set to return this weekend in Tampa where he closes out his 2024 campaign by facing off with the dangerous Bruno Silva at the Amelie Arena. This contest will be his first fight back since his controversial clash with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

There was a lot of tension between the two men throughout fight week that spilled over once they got inside the Octagon. However, once the fight itself had actually started, it wasn’t the most exciting contest. Mokaev’s win should’ve seen the undefeated contender solidify his status as the next in line for a flyweight title shot but instead, the UFC chose to not re-sign him after he had no fights left on his deal.

Considering all of the drama between them in the lead up to their fight, it’s not surprising that Kape isn’t upset about his former opponent departing the promotion. During his media day interviews, “Starboy” labelled “The Punisher” as “dirty”, accusing him of committing multiple fouls in their fight that changed the outcome.

Kape also places some of the blame for that fight on the third man inside the Octagon, referee Mike Beltran. He believes that he was having to do Beltran’s job for him after the official failed to spot and penalize Mokaev’s infringements and for that, he thinks Beltran should have also been forced to leave.

“What is even worse is the referee. I don’t think he was a man; it was a b*tch move,” Kape said. “He was looking at him when he grabbed my shorts, and when I dropped my hands to lose the position, Mokaev still grabbed my shorts out of fear because it was one of my favorite submissions, the kneebar. I felt the victory in the moment. If I had gotten the victory, no one would have called the fight boring because I would have finished him.

“The referee should have taken a point; he didn’t do his job. Mokaev got fired, and one of the other people that should have been fired was the referee, as he didn’t do his job…the referee was the main issue. Listen,” Kape continued. “There was also an issue when I punched Mokaev, and he put a finger in my eye, so I gave my back because it was bad, and the referee didn’t do anything…I felt in that fight that I was a fighter and referee because it was me who stopped the fight multiple times…there were multiple fouls, and I think the UFC should fire him as well. So, it was just Mokaev.”

Watch Kape’s full media day interview via MMA Fighting below:

Teammate Says ‘Different Level’ Khabib Nurmagomedov Could Defeat Dricus Du Plessis At Middleweight

When Khabib Nurmagomedov announced that he would be retiring from MMA at UFC 254 in 2020, he did what very few athletes are able to do. “The Eagle” left the sport that he had dedicated his life to whilst being at the very top of the game. With an undefeated record of 29-0 and three […]

When Khabib Nurmagomedov announced that he would be retiring from MMA at UFC 254 in 2020, he did what very few athletes are able to do. “The Eagle” left the sport that he had dedicated his life to whilst being at the very top of the game.

With an undefeated record of 29-0 and three title defenses under his belt, Nurmagomedov stuck to the promise that he had made his mother following the tragic loss of his father and coach, Abdulmanap. Who knows how much longer the champion could’ve stayed at the top but his final performance inside the Octagon against Justin Gaethje proved that he was still the best lightweight in the world by some distance.

Since then, he has used his unbreakable mentality and elite experience to benefit the fighters around him by acting as a coach. His team recently had success at the 2024 PFL World Championships in Riyadh where Gadzhi Rabadanov brought even more lightweight gold to their trophy cabinet by stopping Brent Primus.

In an interview with Bloody Elbow, Rabadanov spoke about the former UFC lightweight king and how he continues to be incredibly dedicated even after hanging up the gloves for good.

“He trains like a professional fighter still, ever single day, he’s never going to stop. If he could he’d train while he’s flying or in the Arabian dessert.”

Though he is still constantly training alongside his teammates, Nurmagomedov has put on a fair bit of size since stepping away which isn’t necessarily surprising given that lightweight was a difficult weight cut for him at several points in his career. With that in mind, though he doesn’t think Khabib will ever come back, Rabadanov believes that he could be a champion again in whatever weight class he ends up in.

He believes that 185-pounds would probably be a better fit for “The Eagle” at this point in time but that doesn’t mean that Dricus Du Plessis would be able to stop from him getting his hands on UFC gold again if that’s what he really wanted.

“He’s not lightweight any more. I think maybe middleweight is good. 100 per cent [he could beat Dricus Du Plessis]. Khabib is different level.”

Michael Bisping: Anthony Smith Will Be ‘Embarrassed’ Watching UFC 310 Fight Back, But He Shouldn’t Retire

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping would like to see his podcast co-host, light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, continue his active career inside the cage. Smith’s latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, where he competed in the featured preliminary bout opposite a fellow former title challenger […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping would like to see his podcast co-host, light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, continue his active career inside the cage.

Smith’s latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, where he competed in the featured preliminary bout opposite a fellow former title challenger in Dominick Reyes.

“Lionheart” was open during fight week about his recent struggles following the passing of a coach and friend. And the veteran was visibly emotional en route to the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena, to the point where the commentary team questioned whether he was in the right head space to fight.

That theory only grew stronger when Smith fell by way of a long-lasting TKO stoppage at the hands of “The Devastator,” which was followed by the defeated contender admitting fans may have seen him in action for the very last time.

One prominent name who knows the 36-year-old well, however, doesn’t think that’s the case.

During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping gave his reaction to Smith’s latest setback, which leaves him 1-3 across his last four bouts.

Similar to his thoughts on “Lionheart’s” defeat to Khalil Rountree a year ago, “The Count” suggested he was against Smith taking the fight in the first place. With that in mind, the Brit plans to share some advice to the light heavyweight if he chooses to make the walk again — something he’s expecting.

“I don’t think he should’ve taken that fight, at all,” Bisping said (h/t Bloody Elbow). “But I don’t think he will retire. I think when he watches that back, he’s going to be embarrassed when he watches it, and it’ll inspire him to come back. The world doesn’t deserve to remember him like that.

“Maybe it was therapeutic in some ways, but I’d like to see him fight again. … This isn’t a sport that you play, and that’s why Dana White says Chris Weidman and Clay Guida need to retire. That s*** will stay with you,” Bisping continued. “If he fights, I’m going to give him a call, and say, ‘If you do this, do it for the right reasons. Train as if you’re training for a world title fight, as if you’re going against Jon Jones. Leave no stone unturned, otherwise if you’re not willing to do that, then don’t even think about it in the first place!’”

It remains to be seen what comes next for Smith, and if UFC 310 did indeed mark a disappointing farewell.

Reyes, meanwhile, will look to continue his resurgence at 205 pounds next year. “The Devastator” has now won back-to-back fights since a knockout loss to Ryan Spann in late 2022 left him 0-3 post-fighting Jon Jones.

Alexandre Pantoja Picks Most Likely Choice For His Next Fight Following Demetrious Johnson’s Rejection

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja is devoid of fresh options heading into 2025, and so he’s pointed to which potential rematch makes the “most sense” for his next fight. Pantoja continued his reign of the 125-pound weight class at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, which he headlined in defense of his throne opposite promotional newcomer […]

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja is devoid of fresh options heading into 2025, and so he’s pointed to which potential rematch makes the “most sense” for his next fight.

Pantoja continued his reign of the 125-pound weight class at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, which he headlined in defense of his throne opposite promotional newcomer Kai Asakura.

The former Rizin champ became the latest to fail in their bid to unseat “The Cannibal,” succumbing to a submission in round two to join Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg on Pantoja’s list of victims since he captured the crown in mid-2023.

With that, the Brazilian has beaten most of the top names inside the flyweight top 15, creating some uncertainty over who he could put the gold on the line against in 2025. That led to an ambitious callout of the retired Demetrious Johnson at T-Mobile Arena, which was quickly dismissed by “Mighty Mouse.”

During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Pantoja assessed the realistic options he has next year.

When presented with three — a rematch with Kai Kara-France, a second dance with current bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo, or a first-time clash with a re-signed Muhammad Mokaev — “The Cannibal” pointed to which he sees as the most likely.

“Yeah, (I’m interested in Kara-France). I think for now, that’s the fight that makes sense,” Pantoja said. “In the last three fights, he lost twice. But for now, after what I did in my division, everything doesn’t make sense anymore. I fight with the number one, number two, top 10, then you bring someone else. I think everybody has a chance right now.

“Kara-France is a very exciting fighter. That’s someone who is going to bring me to another level,” Pantoja continued. “Kai Kara-France is the only one in my division. Mokaev is not on the UFC roster right now…and Figueiredo’s coming off one loss. Everything can happen, nothing makes sense right now. But I think I am ready for the UFC to give me Kai Kara-France. This fight maybe can make good numbers and big pay-per-view…but I’m not going to Australia.”

Pantoja and Kara-France met way back in 2016 on season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter. The Brazilian defeated the New Zealander in the quarterfinal by way of unanimous decision.

While “The Cannibal” has since risen to the top, “Don’t Blink” fell short in his sole shot at UFC gold thus far opposite Brandon Moreno in 2022. Kara-France has gone 1-1 post-title fight, most recently knocking out Erceg in memorable fashion at UFC 305 this past August in what marked his first fight in 14 months.

Whether or not that result was enough to net him an opportunity at Pantoja remains to be seen. For now, the champ will no doubt still be celebrating his latest triumph and enjoying a break before resuming his divisional rule in the new year.

Deiveson Figueiredo Down For Flyweight Return To Challenge Alexandre Pantoja: ‘I’m The Best Option’

It seems UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja may not be devoid of exciting options for his next fight after all. Pantoja further cemented his grip on the crown at 125 pounds this past weekend when he headlined the UFC 310 pay-per-view inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. “The Cannibal” closed out the final numbered event of […]

It seems UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja may not be devoid of exciting options for his next fight after all.

Pantoja further cemented his grip on the crown at 125 pounds this past weekend when he headlined the UFC 310 pay-per-view inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

“The Cannibal” closed out the final numbered event of 2024 in style, submitting UFC newcomer Kai Asakura in round two with a rear-naked choke. The victory over the ex-Rizin champion, who was left unconscious by the fight-ending sequence, marked Pantoja’s third successful defense.

With that, the Brazilian has defeated many of the notable names toward the top of the division, leaving him somewhat short of fresh and intriguing options.

There might be one rematch, however, that gets the champ’s fire lit…

During a recent interview with Brazilian reporter Laerte Viana, former two-time flyweight champ and current top-10 bantamweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo threw his name in the hat to be Pantoja’s next challenger.

While “The Cannibal” already boasts victories over many vying for a shot in the flyweight rankings, he lost his 2019 contest with “Deus da Guerra” on the scorecards. And feeling that things were comfortable back then, Figueiredo likes his chances of repeating the feat in a championship scenario.

“Since Pantoja is looking for someone, I think I’m the best option,” Figueiredo said in Portuguese (translated by @Home_of_Fight). “I’m available, man. In my entire career in the UFC, I only missed weight once. If I have to make weight, I’ll go there and fulfill my commitment. And our first fight wasn’t easy for Pantoja. It was a three-round fight and I certainly won all three.”

Figueiredo departed the weight class following the end of his second reign on the flyweight throne at the hands of Brandon Moreno early last year. He began life at the more comfortable weight of 135 pounds in strong fashion, dominating Rob Font and submitting Cody Garbrandt.

But while that put the Brazilian on the cusp of an opportunity to achieve two-division glory, his push for a shot at Merab Dvalishvili’s belt was stalled last month in Macau, where he was comfortably beaten across five rounds by Petr Yan.