Tag: UFC

Reinier de Ridder On What Is Required In UFC Debut: ‘The Top Dogs Finish Gerald’

Newly signed UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder says a victory is not enough when he debuts inside the Octagon this weekend at the Apex. Among the most notable storylines set to play out at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night is the arrival of de Ridder, a former two-division titleholder under the ONE Championship banner over in […]

Continue Reading Reinier de Ridder On What Is Required In UFC Debut: ‘The Top Dogs Finish Gerald’ at MMA News.

Newly signed UFC middleweight Reinier de Ridder says a victory is not enough when he debuts inside the Octagon this weekend at the Apex.

Among the most notable storylines set to play out at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night is the arrival of de Ridder, a former two-division titleholder under the ONE Championship banner over in Asia.

After losing his undefeated record in addition to his 205- and 225-pound belts to Russian behemoth Anatoly Malykhin, “The Dutch Knight” departed ONE earlier this year. And after getting back to the win column opposite Magomedmurad Khasaev at UAE Warriors 51, the 34-year-old put pen to paper on a deal with the UFC.

While he’ll no doubt hope to walk through an arena crowd soon enough, his first taste of Octagon action will come in the serene surroundings of the Apex on Nov. 9, where veteran Gerald Meerschaert is set to await him.

During his appearance at UFC Vegas 100 media day on Wednesday, de Ridder looked ahead to his first foray into the cage in his new promotion and assessed what he must do to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Finally, after all these years of talking about the top guys, to finally be close to getting them is very cool,” de Ridder said. “The most important this is Gerald first. It’s a very cool matchup. … A win is not enough – the top dogs finish Gerald and I want to prove I’m one of them. … I’ve always watched his fights and that’s a great thing for this fight as well. There’s so much tape to study. He has so much fights. He has a really difficult style.

“The ways he finishes fights, there’s a few things he’s very dangerous at, there’s a few things he does that I think I can really capitalize as well. But it’s a great matchup,” de Ridder continued. “I’m very happy that they’ve given me him for my first fight because he’s a veteran, he’s a real name, and I think if I can put a stamp on this one, I have some leverage to start calling out some bigger names.”

De Ridder will look to make good on those remarks by delivering an emphatic finish of Meerschaert on the main card of the promotion’s centennial Apex-held UFC Fight Night.

Should he do so, the Dutchman has the likes of Bo Nickal in his sights as he hopes to add UFC gold to his already illustrious trophy cabinet in mixed martial arts.

Continue Reading Reinier de Ridder On What Is Required In UFC Debut: ‘The Top Dogs Finish Gerald’ at MMA News.

UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Lineup Takes Another Hit With Undefeated Contender Out

The upcoming UFC 309 pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden is a ranked matchup down following another fight cancellation. Among one of few fights originally set to play out toward the top of a division on Nov. 16, #6-ranked light heavyweight Nikita Krylov was booked to defend his spot opposite undefeated, rising contender Azamat Murzakanov. The […]

Continue Reading UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Lineup Takes Another Hit With Undefeated Contender Out at MMA News.

The upcoming UFC 309 pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden is a ranked matchup down following another fight cancellation.

Among one of few fights originally set to play out toward the top of a division on Nov. 16, #6-ranked light heavyweight Nikita Krylov was booked to defend his spot opposite undefeated, rising contender Azamat Murzakanov.

The pair marked perhaps the most high-stakes clash tasked with setting the stage for the likes of Jon Jones, Charles Oliveira, and Bo Nickal on the UFC 309 preliminary card.

That is no more, however, after it was revealed by MMA Junkie’s Nolan King that Murzakanov has withdrawn from the New York City-held PPV just over one week out.

The news marks the latest blow to the UFC 309 lineup, coming just hours after Lucas Almeida was confirmed out of his clash with David Onama.

This marks the latest setback in Murzakanov’s planned surge into the top 10. After getting the better of Dustin Jacoby last year, the Russian subsequently had fights with Volkan Oezdemir and Khalil Rountree fall through. While he had hoped to start a period of activity following a knockout win over Alonzo Menifield this past August in Abu Dhabi, he now looks set to turn his focus toward a 2025 return after another enforced layoff.

Krylov, meanwhile, has lost his chance to make a long-awaited return to the Octagon. The longtime contender has been absent for 20 months, having not made the walk since submitting Ryan Spann in March 2023. That left him riding high on a three-fight winning run, but he’s now under threat of sitting out the entirety of this calendar year unless an unlikely short-notice matchup gets put together.

With this cancellation, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 309 on Dec. 7 are as follows:

Main Card:

  • Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic
  • Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
  • Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
  • Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
  • Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop

Preliminary Card:

  • Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman
  • Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
  • Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson

Early Preliminary Card: 

  • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
  • Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
  • Welterweight: Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
  • Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura

Continue Reading UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Lineup Takes Another Hit With Undefeated Contender Out at MMA News.

Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’ 

UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has claimed to have thrown his name in the hat to face the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice next month. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is scrambling for a new main event to close out its pay-per-view schedule for 2024. That’s after the withdrawal of UFC Welterweight Champion Belal […]

Continue Reading Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’  at MMA News.

UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has claimed to have thrown his name in the hat to face the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice next month.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is scrambling for a new main event to close out its pay-per-view schedule for 2024. That’s after the withdrawal of UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad from the Las Vegas-held UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

“Remember the Name” was scheduled to put his 170-pound belt on the line for the first time opposite Rakhmonov, but a severe bone infection has forced him out.

Since then, “Nomad” has outlined his hopes to remain on next month’s numbered card in competition for interim gold. Among the possible opponents, the Kazakh has specifically pointed to Kamaru Usman as the most likely.

And according to a man who knows “The Nigerian Nightmare” well, those plans are firmly in motion, and have even stopped him from stepping up to the plate.

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington addressed his absence from the Octagon and suggested a comeback in the first quarter of 2025 is likely.

He did, however, claim that fans could have seen him extremely soon had the UFC accepted his apparent offer to save the day at UFC 310.

“I offered (to replace Muhammad). I told the UFC that I was willing to step up to the plate. … They know they can call me on a week’s notice and I’m stepping up to the plate,” Covington said. “I would love to save the show and put on a good show for the fans. They pay their hard-earned money for big mega fights, they need a mega fight, that’s not a mega fight. They need someone who is going to put asses in seats and entertain people. So, I was excited. I wanted the fight and I asked for it but I think they have other plans.”

And had that come to fruition, “Chaos” doesn’t think he’d have had much trouble dispatching of Rakhmonov — something he expects to prove down the line.

“I can walk him down and pressure him and he’s not going to like my pressure. He doesn’t do very well with southpaws,” Covington explained. “We saw how he did with the busboy Geoff Neal. That was a very competitive fight. He hasn’t fought a top contender yet. He has fought some gatekeepers of the division, some guys on the cusp of the top 10. But he’s never fought a champion like me and a guy who’s going to come at him for five straight rounds and just walk him down.

“I match up well, he stands very tall. I don’t see anything special with him. He has some good submissions, he’s slick, but that’s when he can control the wrestling. He’s not going to control the wrestling on me,” Covington continued. “I think I can beat him pretty easily and I think it’s a favorable fight, and it’s a fight I win in the future whether he wins or loses in December.”

Whether or not his claim is true has been quickly debated in the MMA community, with many suggesting that he’s simply capitalizing on an opportunity knowing that different plans are already in the works for Rakhmonov.

Either way, the American is seemingly eyeing a 2025 return. During the same interview, he put his absence this year down to his work on the campaign trail prior to Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election this week.

Continue Reading Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’  at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou couldn’t have had a better return to MMA as he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. Jon Jones, on the other hand, is finally returning to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024. Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight kingpin […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou couldn’t have had a better return to MMA as he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. Jon Jones, on the other hand, is finally returning to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024.

Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight kingpin before Jones moved up to the division. Many fans eagerly wanted to see them fight, but before anything could materialize, Ngannou left the UFC and signed with the PFL. He also boxed in high-profile matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

“The Predator” was recently asked on The Ariel Helwani Show if he could still fight “Bones”. The lineal heavyweight MMA champion claimed that the superfight is not completely off the table and that figures like Turki Alalshikh might play a role in it.

Alalshikh, as the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has helped organize several major combat sports events over the last few years.

Daniel Cormier reviewed Ngannou’s statements on his YouTube channel recently. He admitted that White’s rocky relationship with the PFL champ is a problem, but Riyadh Season’s inclusion could shake things up.

The former UFC champ mentioned that Riyadh Season sponsoring UFC 306 was a huge development, and might have laid the foundation for crossovers like Jones vs. Ngannou.

“Dana does not like Francis, that is a massive problem. Massive problem. But hell, when in the world do you put that over business. I don’t know that he will, he’s one of the smartest, sharpest businessman you’ve ever met. If the dollars make sense, the fight could potentially happen,” DC continued. “If Francis is to be believed, and Francis has had these conversations, we’re now entering a world where multiple partnerships already established in this realm. ESPN UFC, ESPN PFL, Riyadh Season UFC. Ladies and gentleman, maybe, just maybe, we get that fight.”

DC also believes White is smart enough to put personal differences aside for a lucrative business opportunity. He isn’t sure that Ngannou and Jones will fight in MMA, but he’s not ruling out the possibility entirely.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou at MMA News.

Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’

Donald Trump’s close relationship with Dana White is no secret at this point. The UFC President accompanied Trump during his historic win in the US Presidential election and even gave a speech. From Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje to Sean Strickland and Dustin Poirier, Trump has many supporters from the UFC roster. Colby Covington backs […]

Continue Reading Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’ at MMA News.

Donald Trump’s close relationship with Dana White is no secret at this point. The UFC President accompanied Trump during his historic win in the US Presidential election and even gave a speech.

From Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje to Sean Strickland and Dustin Poirier, Trump has many supporters from the UFC roster. Colby Covington backs the Republican Party member as well, frequently expressing his support during interviews and official UFC media interactions.

The 47th President of the United States invited White alongside a group of UFC fighters including Covington while votes were being counted. “Chaos” described this as one of the most memorable moments of his life during an interview for the Submission Radio YouTube channel.

The former interim UFC welterweight champion believes that the 2024 presidential elections make for a landmark moment in US history. Trump has supported the UFC from its early days, and Covington is positive that the promotion will benefit greatly from his win.

“Probably the most historic night of my life. I mean, when you’re talking in terms of the future of our country. And the future of the world, really, because America. Everything goes to America,” Covington continued. “We exchanged a couple of words, you know. He’s excited. He’s always asking, ‘Colby, when is your next fight? Man, I want to come to your next fight’. And, you know, so he’s going to be there at the next fight.”

Covington revealed that Trump always asks him about his next fight, and the night of the election was no different. The UFC welterweight expects the President to watch his imminent return to the Octagon live and thanked him for having an inspiring work ethic.

“Chaos” is naturally elated with Trump’s victory. He had high praise for White too, who introduced Covington to the Trump family. The former title challenger appreciated the UFC CEO’s healthy lifestyle and sharp mic skills, which were on display during the election night.

Continue Reading Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Reveals Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you might have heard about the conflict between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight superstars fought for the title in October 2018, and soon after submitting the Irishman in the fourth, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon to attack Dillon Danis. UFC 229 ended with one of […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Reveals Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor at MMA News.

Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you might have heard about the conflict between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight superstars fought for the title in October 2018, and soon after submitting the Irishman in the fourth, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon to attack Dillon Danis.

UFC 229 ended with one of the most heated brawls in the promotion’s history. To this day, “The Eagle” has never tried to mend his relationship with McGregor and they’re likely rivals for life.

Nurmagmedov’s close relationship with former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier is also no secret. The duo makes for a popular bromance in MMA circles and over the years, their bond has strengthened considerably. So much so that Nurmagomedov and Cormier consider each other as close as family.

During the latest episode of 3 Rounds on his YouTube channel, Cormier admitted to no longer approaching McGregor for interviews and other media interactions. The reason? “The Notorious” conflicts with “The Eagle.”

“I don’t try to request McGregor for interviews. I don’t think that I would get him but I’m just saying it’s not a request I make every time I’m there. But this like, part of the course for these dudes. Because honestly, Khabib’s not just a teammate. He’s family. And they’re like that with everyone and they feel like if someone’s in conflict, especially at the level that Jones and I. Jones and I were in conflict, they’re very stern in the side they pick. And it’s kind of refreshing because most people aren’t like that guys. They’re just not, especially us, as Americans. So, watching that, that wasn’t crazy for me. Dude, he really is the man. Khabib is the man. He’s got to be one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met.”

The former UFC heavyweight champ also highlighted the time when Nurmagomedov claimed Jones would never be a friend because of the latter’s conflict with DC. Cormier acknowledged that the undefeated UFC lightweight’s philosophy is not very common in the United States, but he agrees with it now.

Both Cormier and Nurmagomedov have retired from MMA, but it is safe to assume their close friendship will remain strong behind the scenes.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Reveals Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor at MMA News.