Tag: UFC

UFC 311: Arman Tsarukyan Teases ‘One Trick’ That Will Make The Difference Against Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan seemingly has a special weapon ready to bring out when he challenges for Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title at UFC 311. Tsarukyan will have his first shot at gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage next weekend, when he headlines the first pay-per-view of the new year opposite Makhachev. The pair will run it […]

Arman Tsarukyan seemingly has a special weapon ready to bring out when he challenges for Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title at UFC 311.

Tsarukyan will have his first shot at gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage next weekend, when he headlines the first pay-per-view of the new year opposite Makhachev.

The pair will run it back almost six years on from their first showdown, a three-round clash at a UFC Fight Night in Moscow that went the distance and was won by the current champ.

During a fight camp video uploaded to the Red Corner MMA YouTube channel, Tsarukyan explained how he plans on securing a different outcome against the Dagestani second time around.

“Of course, I’ve got one trick prepared that I believe in,” Tsarukyan said. “I know it will work. And it will change the whole course of the fight.”

The rematch between Makhachev and Tsarukyan headlines the Jan. 18 card inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, with Merab Dvalishvili’s first bantamweight defense opposite Umar Nurmagomedov marking the other title fight on the lineup.

Elsewhere, the likes of Ji?í Procházka, Renato Moicano, Kevin Holland, Johnny Walker, Payton Talbott and Jailton Almeida will look to kick off their year in style.

Chael Sonnen Backs Khabib Nurmagomedov On Topic Of Dagestan’s MMA Superiority: ‘It Might Offend You, But…’

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe Khabib Nurmagomedov said anything egregious when outlining his region’s dominance over the rest of the world in mixed martial arts. The topic of Dagestani superiority in MMA has risen to the surface ahead of Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator lightweight title defense later this month. The cousin of Khabib […]

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe Khabib Nurmagomedov said anything egregious when outlining his region’s dominance over the rest of the world in mixed martial arts.

The topic of Dagestani superiority in MMA has risen to the surface ahead of Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator lightweight title defense later this month. The cousin of Khabib will put his gold on the line in the United Arab Emirates, headlining the PFL’s Champions Series: Road to Dubai event opposite Paul Hughes.

With the challenger hailing from Ireland, comparisons have been made to “The Eagle’s” bad-blood clash with Conor McGregor in 2018. And when it comes to Dagestan and Ireland colliding, Khabib doesn’t think there’s any debate about which region is in front.

In fact, while outlining that on social media, the former UFC champ went a step further and expressed confidence in a Dagestan team getting the better of a squad from around the world in amateur MMA.

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen dismissed any suggestion that Khabib’s remarks weren’t accurate.

“The village that Khabib lives in, there’s 2,000 people, there was seven Olympic champions. Seven of them have Olympic gold medals. That is crazy,” Sonnen said. “2,000, that’s how many people I had in my high school. Khabib’s point of bragging about Dagestan, per-capita versus anywhere on Earth, you might not like it, it might offend you, but there’s no way to say he’s wrong.”

While Usman will be hoping to prove his relative correct come fight night on Jan. 15, when “The Eagle” will be in his corner, Hughes has vowed to upset the Dagestani contingent before throwing an ‘I told you so’ comment the way of Khabib.

‘Where Is Topuria?’ – Fans Debate Islam Makhachev Being Heavy Favorite To Finish 2025 As UFC LW Champion

The odds are in for the UFC’s champions in 2025, and betting lines for a number of divisions have stirred debate. As always, titles are expected to change hands on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in the new year. DraftKings doesn’t, however, have the lightweight class as one in which a new kingpin will likely […]

The odds are in for the UFC’s champions in 2025, and betting lines for a number of divisions have stirred debate.

As always, titles are expected to change hands on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in the new year. DraftKings doesn’t, however, have the lightweight class as one in which a new kingpin will likely be crowned.

Opening odds for who will have UFC gold in their possession in 12 months’ time recently emerged, with Islam Makhachev set as the favorite to be occupying the 155-pound throne at the end of 2025.

For that to be the case, the Dagestani will first need to get past the second favorite on the list, Arman Tsarukyan, in their headlining rematch at UFC 311 in Los Angeles next weekend.

The odds have Tsarukyan at +500 to finish 2025 as the UFC lightweight titleholder, being pipped to the post by Makhachev’s -120 line.

That, in addition to the figures beside names like Charles Oliveira, Renato Moicano, and Dan Hooker, have split opinion in the MMA community online.

One of the biggest talking points came via an absent name from the list — UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria, who has expressed interest in returning to 155 pounds this year.

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Headlines UFC Seattle, Dominick Cruz Returns In Co-Main Event

Next month’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle looks likely to be a key one in the context of the bantamweight division. The mixed martial arts leader will head to Washington to close out its February schedule from the Climate Pledge Arena, where multiple former champions and ranked contenders will be in action. Prior to this […]

Next month’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle looks likely to be a key one in the context of the bantamweight division.

The mixed martial arts leader will head to Washington to close out its February schedule from the Climate Pledge Arena, where multiple former champions and ranked contenders will be in action.

Prior to this week, Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia, Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez, and Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev marked some of the bouts already announced. And now, the Seattle event on Feb. 22 has its main and co-main events set.

UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell confirmed to ESPN Monday that former two-division champion Henry Cejudo (16-4) will return in the main event, sharing the cage with fellow top 10 bantamweight contender Song Yadong (21-8-1, 1 NC). The matchup was first reported earlier in the day by @realkevink on X.

Campbell also revealed to Mike Coppinger that the co-headliner will see legendary 135lber Dominick Cruz (24-4) compete for the first time in over two years. The former UFC and WEC champion is slated to do battle with a fellow veteran in Rob Font (21-8), which could mark Cruz’s “last dance” if his most recent comments on a comeback prove true.

With these additions, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Seattle on Feb. 22 are as follows:

  • Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong (bantamweight main event)
  • Rob Font vs. Dominick Cruz (bantamweight co-main event)
  • Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia (featherweight)
  • Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez (middleweight)
  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev (heavyweight)
  • Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (featherweight)
  • Ion Cutelaba vs. Ibo Aslan (light heavyweight)
  • Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov (welterweight)
  • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Raffael Cerqueira (light heavyweight)
  • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trócoli (middleweight)

Meta Appoints UFC President Dana White to Board of Directors, Eyeing Major Innovations in AI with Mark Zuckerberg

Dana White mark zuckerbergIn a strategic move to strengthen its leadership, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the addition of Dana White, President…

Dana White mark zuckerberg

In a strategic move to strengthen its leadership, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the addition of Dana White, President of the UFC, to its board of directors. White is joined by John Elkann, CEO of Exor and chairman of Ferrari, and Charlie Songhurst, a seasoned technology investor, as the newest members of the tech giant’s leadership team.

Dana White Joins Meta Board of Directors

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is known for his interest in mixed martial arts, expressed enthusiasm for the appointments. “Dana, John, and Charlie bring a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables, and the future of human connection,” Zuckerberg stated.

Dana White, widely credited with transforming the UFC into a global sports powerhouse, shared his excitement about the new role. “I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future,” White said. “There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level.”

Mark Zuckerberg

Meta has been at the forefront of innovation in artificial intelligence and the metaverse, pivoting its focus in recent years to these emerging technologies. The company has achieved remarkable growth, with its market valuation nearing $1 trillion in early 2024.

Dana White mark zuckerberg

Dana White’s addition to the board reflects Meta’s broader ambition to integrate diverse expertise into its leadership as it explores new frontiers in technology and human connection. Alongside White, John Elkann brings extensive experience in global investments and automotive innovation, while Charlie Songhurst adds deep knowledge in enterprise software, AI, and strategic acquisitions from his tenure at Microsoft.

Dana White and Mark Zuckerberg became friends as the Meta CEO was taking a highly active interest in competing in MMA. He has even trained with UFC champions and has attended dozens of UFC events. Dana White reached out to Zuckerberg to help use AI to transform the UFC’s ranking system.

Breaking: Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans to Clash in the Boxing Ring Confirmed for 2025

Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad EvansIt’s official: one of MMA’s most iconic rivalries is making a comeback, but this time, it’s in the boxing…

Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans

It’s official: one of MMA’s most iconic rivalries is making a comeback, but this time, it’s in the boxing ring. Quinton Rampage Jackson and ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans, two UFC legends and former light heavyweight champions, are set to face off later this year in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The announcement is confirmed for 2025.

Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans

Rampage and Rashad’s bad blood dates back more than a decade, culminating in their clash at UFC 114 on May 29, 2010. The buildup to that fight was legendary, marked by fiery trash talk and an explosive coaching rivalry on The Ultimate Fighter. Evans emerged victorious in the octagon that night, outwrestling and outsmarting Rampage to secure a unanimous decision.

Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans 2 3

Now, 15 years later, these two are reigniting their feud in a new arena. Both fighters have exchanged words on social media, with Rampage promising a reinvention as “Rampage 2.0” and hinting that this fight is personal. Rampage Jackson said:

“It’s time to settle this once and for all,” Jackson wrote. “Rashad got me last time, but that was then—this is NOW.”

Both men have resumes that speak for themselves. Rashad Evans is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Famer who is widely regarded as one of the best fighters of his era. Known for his explosive wrestling and sharp hands. Evans boasts wins over legends like Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, and Tito Ortiz. Since retiring from MMA in 2018, Evans has occasionally teased comebacks, but this fight marks his official return to competition.

Rampage Jackson is an MMA pioneer. He made his name with highlight-reel slams and knockouts during his time in Pride FC and the UFC. His 2007 knockout of Chuck Liddell to claim the UFC Light Heavyweight Title remains one of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. Rampage’s charisma has also made him a crossover star, with acting roles in projects like The A-Team.

This fight will mark the first time either fighter steps into a boxing ring professionally, adding another layer to this match. Without the wrestling or ground game to rely on, the matchup will showcase their striking skills in their purest form.

The fight will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While the exact date and venue are still under wraps, we know it will take place in 2025.

Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans