Tag: UFC

Dana White’s Latest Update On Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Is A Promising One

Right at the top of every fight fans’ wish list for 2025 is the potential for a heavyweight title unification clash in the UFC. Jon Jones might be considered by many to be the greatest to ever do it but some still question whether he is the best in his current division. Interim champion Tom […]

Right at the top of every fight fans’ wish list for 2025 is the potential for a heavyweight title unification clash in the UFC. Jon Jones might be considered by many to be the greatest to ever do it but some still question whether he is the best in his current division.

Interim champion Tom Aspinall has a claim to be the best heavyweight in the world right now and his speed, power and age makes him such an interesting challenge for Jones to take on. The excitement around seeing them meet inside the Octagon has only increased following the comments that have been exchanged between them, specifically on the side of the heavyweight champion who hasn’t been overly interested in the fight.

Fortunately, Dana White is and though Jones has proven to be a stubborn negotiator in the past, the UFC clearly wants to make it happen and that’s a step in the right direction. With Aspinall saying that he has already agreed to everything on his side, there appears to be plans in motion.

White gave the same impression during a recent interview with Jim Rome where he spoke about the fight and his expectations of seeing it take place.

“We’re in the works, we’re talking on it. I mean, I’ve said that I’m very confident that fight happens this year.”

Without having a look behind the scenes, many will assume given the narrative surrounding the fight that getting Jones to sign on the dotted line will be the biggest hurdle. White said that despite this, he doesn’t believe there is a substantial barrier stopping this deal from getting across the line.

“Nothing. Nothing’s holding it up. It’s just a matter of getting it done. You know, this stuff, it’s not as easy to put these type of fights together as people think they are. They take time and we’ll get it done.”

(White appears on the show and talks about the fight at around the 2:37:00 mark)

‘The End Of An Era’ – Fans React As 37-Fight UFC Veteran Seemingly Removed From The Roster After 18 Years

The UFC roster tracker accounts on social media have recently claimed that a staple of the promotion has departed after 18 years of competing inside the Octagon. Clay Guida made his UFC debut all the way back in 2006 where he submitted Justin James at UFC 64: Unstoppable. Guida had previously competed in Strikeforce, where […]

The UFC roster tracker accounts on social media have recently claimed that a staple of the promotion has departed after 18 years of competing inside the Octagon. Clay Guida made his UFC debut all the way back in 2006 where he submitted Justin James at UFC 64: Unstoppable.

Guida had previously competed in Strikeforce, where he defeated Josh Thomson to become the lightweight champion before dropping the title to Gilbert Melendez, and the WEC but it wasn’t until he arrived inside the Octagon until he truly felt home. Guida has accumulated 37 fights under the UFC banner with an overall record of 18-19 in the promotion.

“The Carpenter” holds the record for the most losses in the UFC history, along with other key statistics like the fourth most fights, fourth most takedowns, fifth most total fight time and second most control time. He’s also a member of the UFC Hall of Fame after his iconic bout with Diego Sanchez from 2009 was inducted into the fighg win in 2019.

Though he has alternated wins and losses for many years, the 43-year old is currently coming off of three consecutive losses to Rafa Garcia, Joaquim Silva and Chase Hooper. After being submitted by Hooper in the first round at UFC 310 last month, Dana White called for him to retire alongside the likes of Chris Weidman and Anthony Smith who also suffered significant defeats on the same night.

Fight fans reacted to the reports of Guida’s departure via social media:

“The end of an era”

“This is sad. I grew up watching him fight when our TV’s were still big boxes, I was probably about 11 years old. Clay lives locally to me and you’ll actually see him at the local bars quite frequently, I’ve met him quite a few times and he’s a cool ass dude.”

“How they do him like that get the retirement video out NOW”

“It’s time , enthusiasm isn’t the complete deal. Thanks for the great memories.”

“Still today, if you want to introduce a new fan to UFC/MMA, Guida vs Sanchez is a goto. You are a legend @clayguida“

“He deserved a big send off. Thanks for the memories Clay”

UFC 311’s Jailton Almeida Outlines Plan To Ensure He Fights Jones vs. Aspinall Winner At End Of 2025

Heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has a three-fight plan leading to gold in 2025, starting with a victory this weekend at UFC 311. While all eyes will be on the two championship fights at bantamweight and lightweight that will headline proceedings, Saturday’s pay-per-view event at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome isn’t short on intriguing undercard contests. One set […]

Heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has a three-fight plan leading to gold in 2025, starting with a victory this weekend at UFC 311.

While all eyes will be on the two championship fights at bantamweight and lightweight that will headline proceedings, Saturday’s pay-per-view event at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome isn’t short on intriguing undercard contests.

One set for the preliminary portion of the UFC 311 lineup will see Almeida return for his first assignment of the new year. After bouncing back form his first UFC defeat with a dominant submission win over Alexandr Romanov last time out, the #6-ranked contender is next tasked with defending his position against the charging Serghei Spivac.

While he’s not underestimating his Moldovan opponent, who most recently beat Marcin Tybura in a UFC Fight Night main event, “Malhadinho” isn’t afraid of looking beyond Jan. 18.

During a recent UFC 311 fight week interview with E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com, Almeida outlined what he envisions for the rest of the new year, with his plans culminating in a championship showdown with either Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall.

“I plan on having three fights this year,” Almeida said. “My main goal is Spivac now, then after that, a title eliminator against Ciryl Gane, and at the end of the year, facing the winner of Jon Jones versus Aspinall for the UFC heavyweight title.”

Ciryl Gane remains without a fight date in the calendar after his controversial decision win over Alexander Volkov last month at UFC 310. Given Dana White’s thoughts on the matter, it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman has earned the title eliminator Almeida hopes to face him in this year.

Meanwhile, a clash between Jones and Aspinall also seems far from certain. Though the UFC CEO ‘guaranteed’ that another outing for “Bones” would come against the interim titleholder, the Rochester native is yet to fully commit to the continuation of his career following his win over Stipe Miocic last November.

Islam Makhachev Not Buying Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret’ UFC 311 Weapon: ‘He Said He’d Finish Oliveira In Round One’

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend. Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome. […]

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend.

Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome.

The pair previously did battle at a UFC Fight Night in Moscow back in 2019, with Makhachev emerging victorious from a competitive 15-minute scrap on the scorecards.

Since then, the Armenian has no doubt evolved, leading him to believe that redemption will soon arrive at his doorstep. And to secure just that, Tsarukyan plans to bring out something special from his toolbox.

In recent weeks, the challenger has teased a “secret” trick that will set up a finish of Makhachev and ensure the championship belt changes hands.

Suffice it to say that the champ isn’t worried.

“Man, I told you, don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said during UFC 311 media day. “Because last time, he said he’ll finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but he go (the) distance and he won by split decision. Don’t believe him.”

Makhachev will look to prove himself right by avoiding whatever Tsarukyan plans on throwing his way come fight night on Jan. 18.

And should the Dagestani do just that en route to a fourth successful title retention, he’ll separate himself from BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov to sit atop the leaderboard for most lightweight championship fight wins and consecutive defenses in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev Not Buying Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret’ UFC 311 Weapon: ‘He Said He’d Finish Oliveira In Round One’

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend. Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome. […]

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend.

Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome.

The pair previously did battle at a UFC Fight Night in Moscow back in 2019, with Makhachev emerging victorious from a competitive 15-minute scrap on the scorecards.

Since then, the Armenian has no doubt evolved, leading him to believe that redemption will soon arrive at his doorstep. And to secure just that, Tsarukyan plans to bring out something special from his toolbox.

In recent weeks, the challenger has teased a “secret” trick that will set up a finish of Makhachev and ensure the championship belt changes hands.

Suffice it to say that the champ isn’t worried.

“Man, I told you, don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said during UFC 311 media day. “Because last time, he said he’ll finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but he go (the) distance and he won by split decision. Don’t believe him.”

Makhachev will look to prove himself right by avoiding whatever Tsarukyan plans on throwing his way come fight night on Jan. 18.

And should the Dagestani do just that en route to a fourth successful title retention, he’ll separate himself from BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov to sit atop the leaderboard for most lightweight championship fight wins and consecutive defenses in the UFC.

Jamahal Hill Unfazed By Online Criticism From ‘Weirdos Sitting In Their Mom’s Basement’ Ahead Of UFC 311

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has no desire to secure respect from the MMA masses. Hill marks one of the top names set to feature on the undercard of this weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, as he and fellow ex-titleholder Ji?í Procházka set the stage for two championship headliners inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome. Ahead […]

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has no desire to secure respect from the MMA masses.

Hill marks one of the top names set to feature on the undercard of this weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, as he and fellow ex-titleholder Ji?í Procházka set the stage for two championship headliners inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome.

Ahead of it, “Sweet Dreams” certainly isn’t short of detractors. Be it due to his ongoing excuses following a knockout loss to Alex Pereira last April at UFC 300, his heated altercation with “Poatan” at the UFC Performance Institute last month, or the fiery responses he sends on social media, plenty have developed a negative perception of Hill.

The #3-ranked light heavyweight contender, however, could not care less.

“As far as everything for the stuff online, it’s just people talking,” Hill said during UFC 311 media day. “I understand, I understand that it’s hard to watch other people do things that maybe you wish that you could do, or maybe that you would want to do, or maybe you don’t have the courage to do, and then you want to spit out some venom and try to bring them down to a certain level of maybe where you are, or maybe you feel about yourself. So I just don’t really focus on that.

“It’s more the fact that the guys that are actually in here, that take the same risk as me and do it, and they respect it and they understand what I’m putting into this. That means a lot more than any weirdo sitting in his mom’s basement, talking with Cheeto dust and sh*t,” Hill added.

While he doesn’t seek respect from his haters, Hill will no doubt be looking to make a statement en route to proving them wrong come fight night in Los Angeles on Jan. 18.

And should he stall his Czech opponent’s plans for a third dance with Pereira, perhaps “Sweet Dreams” will be in the conversation for a rematch of his own with the Brazilian, whose expected clash with Magomed Ankalaev this year remains unofficial.