Latest news with #AgFight
USA Today
12-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Charles Oliveira says Dan Hooker turned him down at UFC Rio: 'He talked a lot of nonsense'
Charles Oliveira insinuated that Dan Hooker rejected to fight him in Rio. Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC), who has been recovering from hand surgery, called out both Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan for a fight in November. However, Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) ended up being booked for the UFC Fight Night 261 headliner against Rafael Fiziev (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) on Oct. 11 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Oliveira explains how he ended up with Fiziev. "I'm not a guy who goes around playing games, but I was offered names, and they didn't even want it," Oliveira told Ag Fight (h/t Championship Rounds). "So today, when you release this, these guys will tweet, 'Coward! I wanted it, he didn't want it.' But it's a lie. My whole life it's been like this. They poke around, talk sh*t from the other side. When I say, 'Come on, I'm here,' they take it and run the other way." The former UFC lightweight champion went off on Hooker for talking, but allegedly not accepting to fight him. "(Hooker) is also just talking for a long time," Oliveira said. "This soap opera, you already know, it's been going on for years. He talked and talked and talked, and it never happened. So really, it's all talk. That's the reality. He talked a lot of nonsense. A guy who speaks a lot of nonsense on the internet, but when he's called, he doesn't go."
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kyle Daukaus makes his return against Michel Pereira at UFC Shanghai
The post Kyle Daukaus makes his return against Michel Pereira at UFC Shanghai appeared first on ClutchPoints. Kyle Daukaus is making his long-awaited return to the UFC, stepping up on short notice to face Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night: Shanghai on August 23rd. This dramatic change unfolded after Brazilian standout Marco Tulio was forced to withdraw due to injury, as first reported by AgFight. 'The Dark Knight' Kyle Daukaus Returns Daukaus, a former UFC middleweight veteran, is making his comeback nearly three years after his last appearance in the Octagon. Known for his resilience and dangerous submission arsenal, Daukaus was last seen defending his Cage Fury FC title on the regional circuit, racking up wins and finishes as he rebuilt his career following his UFC departure in 2022. The Philly native's return comes as a surprise, with matchmakers tapping him for a massive opportunity to reestablish himself on the world stage against a high-profile opponent. Originally scheduled to face Marco Tulio, Michel 'Demolidor' Pereira now prepares for a new stylistic matchup. The always-entertaining Brazilian, famous for his flashy karate-based attacks and unpredictability, is in desperate need of a win. After a sizzling eight-fight UFC win streak that made him a fan favorite, Pereira has stumbled, suffering back-to-back losses against Anthony Hernandez and Abus Magomedov since moving up to middleweight. This fight with Daukaus is a chance to prove he's still a force among the 185ers, and the switch in opponent adds another intriguing layer to an already volatile matchup. Marco Tulio's withdrawal is a tough break for the surging Brazilian, who'd been riding a 10-fight win streak and had captured the imagination of fight fans with two explosive knockouts to start his UFC tenure. Tulio reportedly suffered a lingering hand injury sustained at UFC 314, and though he pushed through with resilience, it ultimately sidelined him for this major international showcase. Confirmed Fights for UFC Shanghai UFC Shanghai, slated for August 23rd at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, marks the promotion's first event on the Chinese mainland since 2019 and is a linchpin for the UFC's aggressive expansion strategy in Asia. The card is shaping up to deliver a memorable night of action for Chinese fans and the global MMA audience. The confirmed bouts as of this writing are: Main Event: Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang Walker, a perennial light heavyweight contender and highlight-reel magnet, faces China's surging Zhang Mingyang in a pivotal clash of top-15 ranked fighters. Co-Main Event: Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling Featherweight fireworks are guaranteed as two-time title challenger Brian Ortega collides with former bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling, who's recently made the jump up in weight. Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus The new-look middleweight war with high stakes for both men's careers. Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta A potential heavyweight title eliminator pitting the dangerous Russian knockout artist against the surging Dominican prospect. Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas Local flyweight favorite Sumudaerji looks to thrill the Chinese faithful against rising contender Borjas. Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard China's Rongzhu continues his development against proven lightweight campaigner Austin Hubbard. Additional prelims feature Chinese talents like Diyar Nurgozhay, Lone'er Kavanagh, Long Xiao, Maheshate Hayisaer, Taiyilake Nueraji, and Yizha in compelling pairings with international opposition. With the event nearly sold out and anticipation at fever pitch, UFC Shanghai could ignite a new era for MMA in Asia. The return of Kyle Daukaus offers a compelling redemption story, while Michel Pereira's unpredictability ensures fireworks. Local stars look to capitalize on home advantage, and the top of the card is stacked with fighters who plan to make a major statement in their respective divisions. As August 23rd approaches, fight fans are counting down the days to what promises to be one of the most significant cards of the year. Stay tuned for the weigh-ins, final fight slot reveals, and undercard announcements as UFC Shanghai draws near. Related: Israel Adesanya sets sights on Paulo Costa or Sean Strickland for UFC comeback Related: Umar Nurmagomedov's return fight against Mario Bautista is set for UFC Vancouver main event
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UFC star axed by Dana White just days after controversial defeat
The UFC fighter has been sacked after losing her third fight in a row at UFC 316 - headlined by Merab Dvalishvili's bantamweight rematch with Sean O'Malley UFC president Dana White is known for his ruthless approach to cutting fighters, and following UFC 316, one fighter has been shown the door. The promotion was back in New Jersey last weekend for a blockbuster pay-per-view event, with the main event being a bantamweight clash between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley. The Georgian had won their first bout last September, but 'Suga' was keen to level the series. However, Dvalishvili put an end to the rivalry by submitting the challenger in the third round, successfully defending his 135lb title. In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison became the new women's bantamweight champion after she submitted Julianna Pena. Also on the main card, Kevin Holland submitted Vicente Luque in the second round, while Patchy Mix had a difficult promotional debut, losing to rising bantamweight star Mario Bautista. Just days after the fight card, one of Saturday night's top fighters has been let go. According to Brazilian outlet Ag Fight, Ariane da Silva has been released from the UFC after the promotion decided not to renew her current contract. Da Silva lost to Wang Cong in a unanimous decision in their catchweight clash lower down the pay-per-view card. The fight was supposed to be at flyweight, but Da Silva shockingly missed weight by six pounds. Renato da Silva, husband of MMA fighter Ariane, has disclosed to MMA Fighting that a botched treatment plan for a benign pituitary tumour led to serious complications during her weight cut. The Brazilian's coach explained that the tumour was found after a blood test indicated abnormal prolactin and cortisol levels during fight camp. Despite bringing in a new nutritionist for UFC 316, the strategy failed. "We wanted to get the cortisol levels down so it wouldn't affect her health," Renato commented. "By controlling the cortisol levels, we wanted to cause as little stress as possible to her body. And the nutritionist opted for a strategy that would have her hold as much as weight as possible until the end, and it was too much for the final days. He doesn't know her as much as I do, and he thought she would be able to do that. "There was a moment this morning she wasn't feeling good. I know her body. There was still something left there to cut, but at the same time, her reactions weren't normal. She wasn't walking right, she was blinking too slow, she had double vision, and couldn't focus, her voice sounded weak. She was giving us dangerous signs as she dropped weight." Da Silva first stepped into the promotional cage in 2019. She suffered defeats in her first two bouts against Joanne Calderwood and Molly McCann, before bouncing back with two consecutive victories. The 31-year-old then had a mixed record of 1-2 in her next three fights before deciding to move up in weight. After a loss to Priscila Cachoeira on her 135lb debut, Da Silva returned to the flyweight division and secured three straight wins. However, she leaves the UFC on the back of three successive losses.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jean Silva Offers to Help Charles Oliveira Prepare for Ilia Topuria Fight
UFC 317 is shaping up to be a high-stakes lightweight clash between two of the sport's most dynamic finishers. While much of the spotlight is centered on Ilia Topuria, who enters as an undefeated force with precise striking and calculated movement, Charles Oliveira is quietly putting in the work behind the scenes. As fans speculate on the matchup's outcome, one surging contender has stepped forward with an offer to assist in the Brazilian's preparations. In a recent interview with Ag Fight, a prominent Brazilian outlet covering MMA news and interviews, undefeated featherweight Jean Silva, a hard-hitting Brazilian standout, volunteered to join Oliveira's training camp. 'I'm totally available—I'm the same size as Topuria. If Charles wants to use me as a sparring partner for his camp, I'm here. I can imitate Topuria perfectly. Even his facial expressions—I've got them down,' Silva said. His offer comes as Oliveira gears up to reclaim the lightweight title against one of the most talked-about fighters in the division. Jean Silva during UFC Fight Night SeattleSteven Bisig-Imagn Images Silva, who fights out of Brazil, has made a name for himself with his explosive style. He remains unbeaten in the UFC and is currently riding a five-fight stoppage streak. His most notable victory came over Bryce Mitchell—a performance that showcased both knockout power and technical precision. Silva overwhelmed Mitchell with forward pressure and relentless combinations, earning a finish that turned heads across the division. Charles OliveiraGetty Images With both Silva and Topuria measuring around 5'7", the matchup presents a practical fit. Oliveira's camp may have found the ideal sparring blueprint heading into UFC 317. Related: Jake Paul Confirms Undisputed Heavyweight Champ Wants MMA Fight: 'They Reached Out' Related: 'He's a Hypocrite' – Ilia Topuria Sends Scathing Message to UFC Champion
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Deiveson Figueiredo details health issues before UFC on ESPN 67 headliner
Deiveson Figueiredo details health issues before UFC on ESPN 67 headliner Former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo said he entered the UFC on ESPN 67 main event affected by health problems. Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo says his health wasn't up to par entering the UFC on ESPN 67 main event against Cory Sandhagen. Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) sought to return to the win column at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, but tapped out due to a leg injury caused by Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) during a grappling exchange in the second round of the bantamweight headliner. "Deus Da Guerra" has revealed that his preparation and performance were affected by a pair of health issues: a jaw injury during camp prevented the former champion from properly training, and a bacterial infection required antibiotics during fight week, Figueiredo said in an interview with Ag Fight. 'I wasn't 100% (at the time of the fight)," Figuredo said in Portuguese (translated by Ag Fight). "Let me be clear, I was out of action for three weeks. I got hit in the jaw with a straight punch and my jaw dislocated. That prevented me from doing any serious sparring for a month. So, I was doing positions, doing mitt movements, to burn calories, to avoid being inactive. "And towards the end, during the trip, I got some scratches defending a takedown, I didn't take proper care of them, and it got infected. I traveled on Saturday night at 2 a.m. with a high fever. I had a fever on Sunday, I had a fever on Monday and on Tuesday – the week of the fight – I still had a fever in the morning. I have a bacteria in my leg, I'm still taking antibiotics – the bacteria that caused the fever – and where you press with your finger, there's a hole in my leg." The fight against Sandhagen was Figueiredo's first appearance of the year, and one that was important for title considerations. Despite being compromised by health issues, Figueiredo said his financial obligations were too important to pass up a main event payday. Combined with encouragement from his family and friends, the 37-year-old Brazilian fighter decided to compete. The fight's result places Figueiredo on a two-fight skid, which he has no regrets about. The former champ hopes that by not pulling out of the fight, he will remain in good graces with the UFC. "I'm still among the top five, let's see what the UFC will give me next," Figueiredo said. "My manager is already in contact with them. Even though I was sick and couldn't fight, I fought to avoid losing the main event. So, I really hope the UFC gives me another good fight."
