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Forbes
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
UFC Veteran Announces Retirement 2 Days Before Her 30th Birthday
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: A detail shot of Khabib Nurmagomedov's gloves as he ... More announces his retirement in the Octagon after his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Cheyanne Vlismas put family first. She took to Instagram to announce her retirement from mixed martial arts, despite obvious talent and the star power to make a mark in the strawweight or flyweight divisions in the UFC. Vlismas made her announcement on Instagram, citing the need to spend time with her young children. The now-30-year-old, aka The Warrior Princess, made the announcement two days before her milestone birthday. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Cheyanne Vlismas poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ... More weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Here is a look at Vlismas' retirement message on IG. While Vlismas never became a household name, she made a memorable mark in the UFC during the pandemic. The UFC was one of the only major sports organizations that never shut down during 2020, and Vlismas had her best moments in MMA from 2020–21. In August 2020, Vlismas earned a contract with the UFC after scoring a unanimous decision victory over Hilarie Rose on the Dana White Contender Series. That win led to her promotional debut with the UFC in March 2021 against Montserrat Conejo Ruiz. While Vlismas took the loss in that fight, she bounced back with consecutive wins in her next two Octagon appearances, cashing in with performance bonuses in both fights. In July 2021, Vlismas won a Performance of the Night bonus when she defeated Gloria de Paula via KO. The sequence was set up with a head kick and follow-up punch that caught fight fans' and the UFC brass' attention. The finish came after a grappling sequence. De Paula was on the bottom initially and Vlismas stood up. De Paula followed but did not protect herself as she rose to her feet, and Vlismas made her pay with a vicious head kick. Vlismas got the finish as she followed with ground and pound until the referee called an end to the fight. In case you missed it, here's a look at the fight. In her next fight, Vlismas earned a unanimous decision victory over Mallory Martin in December 2021. While Vlismas didn't get the finish, she and Martin did earn Fight of the Night honors and the bonus that goes with it. With tons of momentum professionally and on the heels of back-to-back bonuses, Vlismas hit a long period of inactivity. She was supposed to fight Tabatha Ricci in October 2022 but withdrew. Vlismas didn't fight again until December 2022. She took on Cory McKenna and fell via unanimous decision. As it turned out, the loss to McKenna was Vlismas' last fight as a professional. With two small children to care for, Vlismas steps away at an age and time when she might still be capable of being a factor in the UFC's women's strawweight division. The division is seemingly ready for a change, as Weili Zhang looks poised to make the jump to flyweight sometime soon. Could Vlismas become a contender? Perhaps, and based on the overall weakness of the division, it seems logical she could fight her way to an official ranking. As it is, Vlismas walks away focused on family.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Khalil Rountree Jr. outclasses Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night in Baku
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. delivered a commanding performance in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Azerbaijan, earning a dominant unanimous decision victory over former champion Jamahal Hill . Rountree controlled the pace and dictated the action throughout the bout, securing scorecards of 49-46, 50-45, and 50-45 from the judges. Rountree (15-6 MMA) showcased his striking prowess with effective leg kicks and multiple knockdowns of the former light heavyweight champion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experts Urge Seniors With Muscle Loss To Take This Key Nutrient Daily Native Creatine Learn More Undo — ufc (@ufc) Meanwhile, Hill (12-4 MMA) has now dropped three consecutive fights and is still looking to recapture the form , with his last victory dating back to January 2023. Live Events Rountree remains open to several possibilities for his next bout, stressing his desire to stay in the title mix. "I didn't come in here underestimating Jamahal," Rountree said after the fight. — ufc (@ufc) In the co-main event, local lightweight Rafael Fiziev (13-4 MMA) secured a unanimous decision victory against Ignacio Bahamondes, with all judges scoring 30-27. This marked Fiziev's first win since July 2022, with his superior striking proving decisive against Bahamondes (17-6 MMA), who suffered his first defeat since August 2023. As the No. 11-ranked fighter, Fiziev remained open regarding his next opponent. Curtis Blaydes emerged victorious in the heavyweight contest, earning a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over newcomer Rizvan Kuniev. Blaydes (19-5 MMA) rebounded from his loss to interim champion Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 last July. Post-fight, he expressed interest in facing Ciryl Gane in 'October or November', while nursing an MCL injury. Kuniev (12-3-1 MMA), who joined the Dana White Contender Series last August, experienced his first loss since August 2015. At 165-pound catchweight, Myktybek Orolbai (14-2-1 MMA) submitted Tofiq Musayev via kimura at 4:35 of Round 1. This victory marked Orolbai's fifth win in six bouts, whilst ending Musayev's (22-6 MMA) two-fight winning streak in his UFC debut. Lightweight Nazim Sadykhov delivered a remarkable performance, securing a TKO victory at 4:17 of Round 2 against Nikolas Motta. Despite nearly being finished in the first round, Sadykhov (11-1-1 MMA) rallied back, ultimately landing a 75-punch combination for the finish. Motta (15-6 MMA) recorded his first defeat since June 2023. The main card began with featherweight Muhammad Naimov securing a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Bogdan Grad, marking the 13th consecutive decision since the previous Saturday's Atlanta event. Naimov (13-3 MMA) improved his UFC record to 4-1, while Grad (15-3 MMA) saw his four-fight winning streak end, moving to 1-1 in the promotion.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
I know what I'm capable of: Jamahal Hill eyes title shot with Rountree clash on June 22
Two and a half years ago, Jamahal Hill made UFC history. He became the first graduate of Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) to win a championship, claiming a unanimous decision victory over veteran Glover Teixeira. Hill, who debuted in the UFC in 2020, quickly built a reputation as a knockout artist. Before earning his maiden title shot, he delivered four first-round knockouts in five fights, showcasing his raw power and ruthless finishing ability. 'The first time I won the title; it was like a dream come true. To be a part of the UFC in itself was a dream, but to go in and get the job done is a different feeling. It was the result of years of hard work I put in,' Hill tells Sportstar. 'The Dana White Contender Series is a good initiative. You get picked up if you're a top prospect based on your recent form. If you show up and perform, you get a platform to showcase what you're capable of,' he adds. But his reign was short-lived. In his first title defence, Hill faced Alex Pereira and suffered a brutal first-round knockout. Pereira needed just one perfectly-timed left hook to end the bout and strip Hill of the belt. Things didn't improve. A knee injury forced Hill to pull out of UFC 303, and on his return earlier this year, he was knocked out again — this time by Jiri Prochazka. Still, Hill remains unfazed. 'Everything is part and parcel of the game. You win some, you lose some. If a fight doesn't go my way, I keep my head down and train to get better. I know what I'm capable of achieving. You just have to learn from your mistakes and grow,' said Hill. Now, he has a clear target in mind: redemption. A dominant win over Khalil Rountree Jr. on June 22 could put him right back in the title mix. That's all he's focused on. 'Right now, my only assignment is to go there and defeat Rountree. I want to go and express myself, and I believe everything else will follow accordingly. I feel I've had a pretty good build-up to the fight, and I want to dominate,' concluded Hill. UFC Fight Night: Hill vs Rountree Jr. Fight card Main event: Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Main Cards: Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev Tofiq Musayev vs Myktybek Orolbai Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta Muhammad Naimov vs Bogdan Grad Prelim Matches: SeokHyun Ko vs Oban Elliott Ismail Naurdiev vs JunYong Park Daria Zhelezniakova vs Melissa Mullins Irina Alekseeva vs Klaudia Sygula Tagir Ulanbekov vs Azat Maksum Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Mohammed Usman Streaming/telecast information Watch UFC- Fight Night - Hill vs. Rountree Jr. on 22nd June 2025 at 12:30 AM IST LIVE On Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu) Related Topics MMA / UFC
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
UFC 315: Preview, Betting Trends & Prop Picks
The UFC returns to Montreal for the first time in a decade, and Saturday night's main card at the Bell Centre features a pair of intriguing championship fights. The card is topped by a welterweight bout with champion Belal Muhammad taking on No. 5-ranked Australian challenger Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is making his first title defense after suffering an injury late last year. Muhammad upset former champion Leon Edwards last July in the main event of UFC 304 to usher in a new era at 170 pounds. Muhammad, a Chicago native, said Thursday that Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will see a new version none of Muhammad's previous opponents have seen before: "Canelo Hands." "Jack goes down in three (rounds)," Muhammad told reporters at the pre-fight presser. Della Maddalena didn't take too kindly to Muhammad's words, dismissing the notion that Muhammad won't use his potent wrestling base to win the fight. "That's not gonna happen," Della Maddalena said. The public is split on the fight, with Muhammad backed by 51 percent of the total bets at BetMGM. That has contributed to his pre-fight odds shifting from -250 to -180, although Muhammad has drawn 71 percent of the total money wagered. Della Maddalena hasn't lost in nine years, compiling an unblemished UFC mark after earning a UFC contract by winning his Dana White Contender Series bout against Ange Loosa in September 2021. However, he was the +145 underdog on Friday after opening at +200. The main card festivities get underway at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on pay-per-view. OTHER MAIN CARD FIGHTS The co-headliner sees Valentina Shevchenko begin her second stint as UFC flyweight champion against French native Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) exacted revenge last September against Alexa Grasso to regain the belt. Meanwhile, Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) looks to become the first Frenchwoman to win a UFC title and extend her promotional win streak to eight. Fiorot is the -135 favorite, but it's Shevchenko who has drawn 79 percent of the bets and 62 percent of the money while seeing her odds lengthen slightly from +100 to +110. This has been the most bet-on fight in terms of total bets on Saturday's 12-fight card. --Jose Aldo (32-9, 14-8) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (12-2, 6-2), featherweight This fight was moved from bantamweight at weigh-ins. That's the division Aldo has fought in for more than five years, but the switch on Friday came as a surprise. An official reason had yet to be given, although it could well be because Aldo was struggling to make the weight cut. He weighed in at 143 pounds to Zahabi's 142. Aldo was the -210 favorite as of Friday morning, although Zahabi had drawn 70 percent of the bets and 61 percent of the money. The fight has been of modest interest with the public, ranking as only the fifth most bet-on fight on Saturday's card. --Alexa Grasso (16-4-1, 8-4-1) vs. Natalia Silva (18-5-1, 6-0), flyweight After a trilogy against Shevchenko over the past three years, Grasso will step into the Octagon against Silva. Grasso, who lost the title last fall, said "it's good to have a new opponent." The Brazilian Silva has yet to lose in the promotion, with her unblemished record including a win over former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade. Grasso has garnered 76 percent of the bets as the +200 underdog, while Silva has drawn 53 percent of the total money while seeing her odds as the favorite shift from -190 to -250. --Benoit Saint-Denis (13-3, 5-3) vs. Kyle Prepolec (18-8, 0-2), lightweight Prepolec stepped in on a week's notice to save the fight for Saint-Denis after Mateusz Gamrot pulled out. It's understandably receiving the most one-sided action at BetMGM, with Prepolec backed by 85 percent of the bets and 95 percent of the money as the public hopes for a massive upset by the +725 underdog. Meanwhile, Saint-Denis' odds have held as the overwhelming -1200 favorite. TOP PROP PICK --Jack Della Maddalena by KO/TKO or DQ (+300 at BetMGM): This has been the book's most popular prop on the card, followed by Muhammad at -115 to win by decision or technical decision. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Cuts Ties With Veteran Heavyweight Following Miserable Loss
The UFC has seen enough of Don'Tale Mayes. The veteran heavyweight who was ranked as recently as March was removed from the promotion's roster, per FullContactMTWF. Mayes just lost a massively lopsided unanimous decision to Thomas Petersen on May 3 at UFC Des Moines. It was Mayes' third straight loss and his fourth in his last five fights. Quite honestly, I'm not sure how Mayes ever ascended into the Top 15. Perhaps the fact that he was ranked for months this year is an indictment on the rankings system, the UFC heavyweight division or a little of both. In any case, Mayes' most recent loss dropped his professional record to a modest 11-9 with a 4-7 mark with one no contest in the UFC. If there was any doubt about whether the UFC was justified in ending Mayes' tenure with the promotion, fans need only to watch the complete dominance Petersen displayed over Lord Kong. Petersen secured the victory with scores of 30-25, 30-26 and 30-26 from the three Octagon-side judges. When you also consider Petersen was coming off a first-round KO loss to Shamil Gaziev in his last fight, the defeat couldn't have been more telling for Mayes. The 33-year-old who has been a training partner of heavyweight champion Jon Jones had his best moments in the UFC when he earned his spot in 2019 on the Dana White Contender Series with a first-round KO win over Ricardo Prasel. Mayes also scored back-to-back wins over Roque Martinez and Josh Parisian in 2020-21, and another victory over Andrei Arlovski in June 2023. Mayes is still young for a heavyweight, so there is a chance he could land elsewhere. But for now, he's had his last fight with the UFC. Meanwhile, Petersen is looking to use his win over Mayes as springboard into his next fight. Petersen called out rising heavyweight Tallison Teixeira and Mick Parkin after his win. Because he's unranked, it is unlikely the UFC would match him with No. 13 Teixeira or No. 14 Parkin, as both of those men are seen as potential contenders down the road. Petersen could hope for a meeting with No. 15 Martin Buday who recently broke into the rankings, or perhaps another heavyweight eager to get a number next to his name. The UFC heads to the Centre Bell Arena in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for UFC 315 on Saturday, May 10. The pay-per-view features a pair of world championship fights. UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena. UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will defend her crown against Manon Fiorot. The winner could easily face current UFC strawweight champion, Weili Zhang later this year. Here is a look at the complete card.
