about 2 hours ago

Sean O’Malley Hails Petr Yan’s Win Over Merab And Issues Callout

The former champion reacted with excitement after Yan stopped Dvalishvili to claim the bantamweight belt, calling it one of the best displays he has seen. “Man, Petr Yan, that was one of the most impressive performances I’ve ever seen,” O’Malley said, before turning the spotlight on himself again and warning that once Song Yadong is handled, Yan is next.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Confusion Over 'Alexandre Pantoja' Injury Draws Criticism for UFC

Ariel Helwani reported Pantoja injured his elbow, not his shoulder, at UFC 323, with his team hoping it was only a dislocation. That contradicts post-fight messaging from the promotion. Sports doctor Brian Sutterer called the confusion “an embarrassing look for the UFC,” questioning whether ringside doctors, poor translation, or damage control led to incorrect claims about a shoulder injury.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Dana White Shrugs Off ‘Narc’ Jab After Shutting Down Illegal Streamers

White shot an intense look after being branded a ‘narc’ for admitting he shut down illegal streaming sites like StreamEast. The UFC president told Caleb Pressley that going after streamers is “one of my favorite things to do” and confirmed the promotion took piracy “seriously” and targeted multiple platforms, prompting his hosts to jokingly question how he sleeps at night.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Petr Yan Ends Merab Dvalishvili’s Historic Run, Reclaims Bantamweight Gold at UFC 323

Yan shut down Dvalishvili’s record-breaking fourth defense with, relentless jabs, and elite takedown defense. He rocked the champ early, stuffed dozens of shots, and slammed him in the third to seize full momentum. By rounds four and five, Merab was bloodied and hurt to the body, while Yan kept landing clean. The ex-champ sealed it 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 to reclaim the belt.

By Adarsh Ojha

about 3 hours ago

Merab Dvalishvili Sends Emotional Message to Fans From Georgia

Dvalishvili delivered an emotional video message to fans from Georgia, insisting he’s healthy and more motivated than ever after his battle. Fighting back tears, he thanked his family for their support and told his mother he loves her. Dvalishvili said he is ready to die for his supporters, calling his injuries “a few small scratches” and promising a stronger return.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Petr Yan Admits He Misjudged Championship Mindset in First Title Run

Yan explained that when he first became the bantamweight champion in 2020, he didn’t fully grasp the mindset needed to stay on top. Reflecting on his rapid rise, Yan admitted, “I streamlined myself to the belt really quickly. I thought I knew everything and underestimated how much goes into this championship mentality and the preparation to stay as a champion.”

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Petr Yan Admits He Rose "Too Fast" in First Bantamweight Title Reign

Yan said his first bantamweight title run exposed flaws he had ignored. He became champion in 2020 but lost the belt in 2021. “I steamrolled to my first title and made many mistakes in camp,” Yan said. He admitted, “I believed in my skills too much.” Now, he credits teamwork for becoming champion again last night by defeating Merab Dvalishvili.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Robert Whittaker Says Petr Yan Looked 'Leveled-Up' Like Old Times In Merab Fight

Former middleweight champion labeled Yan's performance as the "most clinical and leveled-up" since the illegal grounded knee that cost him the bantamweight title against Sterling in 2022. He praised Yan’s wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing as “the highest caliber” and highlighted how he dismantled Merab without fading. "I think the Petr Yan that fought tonight doesn't lose to anybody," Whittaker added.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Umar Nurmagomedov Eyes Petr Yan If He Beats Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324

Umar praised Yan’s bantamweight title win over Merab at UFC 323, calling it a spectacular fight before setting his own timeline for a shot. Umar faces Figueiredo at UFC 324 on January 24 and said that date will decide who is next for Yan. The champion has told Dvalishvili he must go through Umar if he wants another title chance.

By Afnan Chougle

about 3 hours ago

Petr Yan Says Merab Dvalishvili Should Rematch Umar Nurmagomedov for Title Return

Fresh off reclaiming bantamweight gold at UFC 323, Yan said Dvalishvili should fight #1-ranked Umar again before getting another title shot. Yan noted the UFC made him win three more bouts to return to contention, saying it should be the same standard. Merab defeated Umar in January and expressed strong dislike, adding extra heat to a potential rematch someday.

By Afnan Chougle

about 4 hours ago

Conor McGregor Says Jake Paul Deserves Respect If He Walks to Face Anthony Joshua

McGregor says Paul deserves respect if he walks to face the former two-time heavyweight champion, but still thinks the matchup is too dangerous. The former UFC champion predicted that the British boxer would knock Paul out. He called Joshua a “big boy” with “darkness” in him and said the fight “shouldn’t go ahead” twice, despite Netflix backing the event.

By Afnan Chougle

about 4 hours ago

Merab Dvalishvili Tells Petr Yan He Can’t Win Without a Finish at UFC 323

Merab, who has won 16 of his 21 fights via decision, said, “I'm sure he will try to knock me out, because that's the only way he can stop me. If we go the distance, I'm the decision machine.” The champ added that for this Dec. 5 rematch, he will be more “technical and skillful” than in their last 2023 fight, which he won via unanimous decision.

By Adarsh Ojha

about 4 hours ago

Merab Dvalishvili Fires Back After Petr Yan Mocks His Jacuzzi Invite

Ahead of UFC 323, Dvalishvili and Yan’s trash talk turned personal over a jacuzzi invite. Yan told him, “You should have girls in your jacuzzi… I’ve never seen you with a girl before.” Merab later hit back, saying Yan claimed it was easy for him to fight in the U.S. but “would rather live in Thailand with all the ‘ladyboys’.”

By Afnan Chougle

about 4 hours ago

Merab Dvalishvili Vows Comeback After Losing Belt to Petr Yan in Rematch

The Georgian (21-5) has issued a defiant message after losing his bantamweight title to rival Yan (20-5) at UFC 323. The defeat ended Dvalishvili’s run of three successful defenses, two years after he beat Yan in their first meeting. “Tonight wasn’t my night, but I will be back stronger than ever. Thank you, everyone, for your support,” he wrote.

By Afnan Chougle

about 7 hours ago

Demetrious Johnson Thought Alexandre Pantoja Could Break His Flyweight Record

“He still had five or six [defenses] to go, but I didn’t see anyone coming up who could really challenge him,” Johnson said. Mighty Mouse holds the record with 11 defenses. Former flyweight champion Pantoja made four title defenses before losing his belt to Joshua Van last night, to which Johnson said, "This shows how hard it is to do."

By Afnan Chougle

about 8 hours ago

Alexandre Pantoja Calls Joshua Van’s UFC 323 Win ‘Destiny’ And Vows To Reclaim Belt

The ex-flyweight champion has broken his silence after suffering an injury and losing the belt to Van last night via TKO. He praised the new champion, saying it “was Van’s destiny to win the belt tonight,” and thanked supporters. Pantoja vowed to rebuild after the setback, promising, “I’m going to work hard, and I’m going to take my belt again.”

By Afnan Chougle

about 13 hours ago

Dana White Says Arman Should Work His Way To The Title and Not Rely on Rankings Hopes

White insists Tsarukyan must earn his way back to a title shot after pulling out of a title fight in January. White stated, "I don’t care what the number says," regarding Tsarukyan's No. 1 ranking. Even though Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker in a No.1 contender fight, Gaethje vs. Pimblett is scheduled for the interim lightweight title fight on January 24.

By Afnan Chougle

about 13 hours ago

Dana White Clarifies Comments After Tom Aspinall Calls Out ‘Disappointing’ Health Update

“I'm no doctor, I'm just saying what I've heard,” White said after Aspinall accused him of giving injury updates without speaking to him. “We have people all over him right now, checking up on him. I wasn't saying anything negative.” Aspinall hasn’t been cleared since UFC 321’s no-contest eye poke and may still need eye surgery.

By Adarsh Ojha

about 14 hours ago

Joshua Van Targets Three or More Title Defenses Per Year After UFC 323 Triumph

The new flyweight champion is wasting no time in setting his schedule after dethroning Alexandre Pantoja via TKO. Van expressed his desire to defend the belt often, saying, "I want to fight three times a year… maybe push it to four, five." The 24-year-old, on a six-fight win streak, is now the second-youngest champion in UFC history after Jon Jones.

By Afnan Chougle

about 14 hours ago

Alexandre Pantoja Vows Comeback After Loss to Joshua Van and Injury

The former flyweight champion has vowed to return stronger after losing his title via TKO at UFC 323 after four defenses. In round one, he misfired on a head kick, lost his balance, and landed hands-first, breaking his left hand. Thanking fans for their heartfelt messages, Pantoja said he has “been through worse” and promised, “I’ll come back even stronger.”

By Afnan Chougle

about 14 hours ago

UFC Adds Four Key Bouts Under Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 Card

UFC 325, set for January 31, has added four more matchups to the Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 main event. Dan Hooker faces Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight clash, while lightweight Mauricio Ruffy meets Rafael Fiziev. Heavyweights Tai Tuivasa and Tallison Teixeira collide, and light heavyweights Jimmy Crute and Dustin Jacoby round out a potential main card lineup for fans.

By Afnan Chougle

about 14 hours ago

Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez Set For Houston Main Event

Former middleweight champion (29-7) will face “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2) in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Houston, Texas, on February 21. Strickland was offered a fight against Hernandez at UFC 325, but turned it down because he had no medical insurance. Strickland will return to the ring after a year; he last fought in February 2025.

By Afnan Chougle

about 14 hours ago

Chris Duncan Invites Terrance McKinney for a Beer After a Win At UFC 323

Duncan wrapped up his night with a first-round submission win over McKinney, then used his mic time to show pure respect. He called McKinney “an absolute legend” and thanked him for sharing the cage. Duncan even invited him for a post-fight beer, saying, “If Terrance is watching this right now, maybe we can meet up after and grab a beer.”

By Afnan Chougle

about 14 hours ago

Dana White Doubts Alexandre Pantoja’s Return Anytime Soon After Brutal UFC 323 Injury

“No matter what happens, I don't see him coming back anytime soon. I think there would be a [title] defense before he comes back,” White said after Pantoja’s reign collapsed in just 26 seconds. A slipped head kick caused a gruesome elbow dislocation that ended his fifth defense instantly. Meanwhile, Joshua Van became the second-youngest champion.

By Adarsh Ojha

about 14 hours ago

Four Fighters Score $50,000 Bonuses From Dana White at UFC 323

FOTN: Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili went to war in the UFC 323 main event, with Yan reclaiming the bantamweight title and both earning $50,000 bonuses. Manuel Torres scored a clean first-round knockout over Grant Dawson on the prelims to collect another $50k (POTN). Iwo Baraniewski added to the bonus list with his own first-round KO against Ibo Aslan (POTN).

By Adarsh Ojha

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