Latest news with #IslamMakhachev
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Don't want to empty myself out' – Dustin Poirier reveals heartfelt fears which prompted UFC 318 retirement
DUSTIN POIRIER insists he's content with his decision to retire from mixed martial arts, That's despite still being very much at the peak of his powers. 14 14 14 14 The bona fide Hall of Famer's career will come to an emotional and poetic end early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans. Unlike many before him, the 36-year-old's hanging up of the gloves hasn't been prompted by the regression of his skillset or the absorption of unnecessary punishment. In his last two fights with Islam Makhachev and Benoit Saint Denis, the Lafayette, Louisiana leftie has shown that he can still mix it with the very best the lightweight division has to offer. But he's determined to walk away from the sport which has brought him fame and fortune on his terms and, more importantly, while he still has all his faculties intact. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said: "I've been fighting since I was 17 years old, so making this decision is tough. "But the decision was made because, you know, I have over 50 fights. "My wife's pregnant, I have a little girl at home. I've said this over and over again, 'I don't want this sport to retire me. "'I want to walk away from this sport.' And if that's putting only great performances and fighting and beating the best guys in the world, that's the way I want it to be. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 14 14 14 "I want to go out on top with stuff still left in the tank. "I don't want to empty myself out and leave this game broken and bruised for a paycheck. "It's just time. I just feel like it's time, you know. I've done a lot in the sport. "And I want to be healthy and be with my family. I've been doing this for a very long time." Poirier's eagerness not to have the sport retire him is wise, given the worrying effects of traumatic brain injuries we're starting to see in some of the greats of yesteryear. The temptation to continue fighting and pursue undisputed UFC gold, the only thing which has eluded him in his run in the promotion, has been strong. Even just this week, the little devil on his left shoulder was telling him to go full 'Wolf of Wall Street' and roar: "I'm not f * ****g leaving!" He admitted: "There are moments like when I'm driving to the gym and stuff that reality sets in. "And [I'm like], 'I can't believe this is the last time I'm ever gonna do this. But my decision has been made." Poirier will likely go down as the greatest fighter to never have an undisputed UFC title wrapped around his waist. 14 14 14 Winning one of his three cracks at the lightweight title would've undoubtedly further cemented what is an already historic career. But those losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Makhachev won't eat away at him as much as you'd think. "I'm grateful for everything," he said. "All the lessons I've learned and the accomplishments I've had throughout the sport. "I had a good run, I really did. And I'm proud of it." MMA retirements are often looked at with a side-eye due to the sheer number of fighters who have performed U-turns or entered the world of boxing. But with mental and physical well-being now being his top priority, Poirier insists neither will end up being the case for him. He said: "I'm still going to be in the gym, so we'll see about grappling. "If something fun came along, maybe I would do a grappling match or something like that in the future. "But [as far as] combat sports, I'm gonna protect my brain and try to age as healthy as I can after post-fighting." 14 14 14 Countless pugilists and mixed martial artists have publicly struggled with life after fighting, with many openly admitting they've suffered identity crises. Unlike many before him, Poirier has financial interests outside of fighting to keep himself busy. Although he admits: "I don't think anything's ever gonna fill that void of what fighting was throughout my career. "So that could be a little bit of struggle to be at war with something so deeply the way I've been with combat sports." The honour of being Poirier's last dance partner, fittingly, goes to a man he welcomed to the UFC 13 years ago - former featherweight champion Max Holloway. Poirier is 2-0 in his series with the Hawaiian, who was his dance partner when he claimed interim lightweight gold at UFC 236 in April 2019. That fight was a war for the ages, something Poirier believes will be the case when they collide again in their Bayou brawl this weekend. "I feel like it's gonna be a lot like the last one," he said when asked how he foresees his swansong playing out. "Back and forth on the feet, but just at a higher level and a higher IQ. "It's going to be a battle, you know. It's gonna be a battle like the second one, I'm sure." 14
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘The Symptoms Were Worse' – Volkanovski's Confession Catches Fans Off Guard
'The Symptoms Were Worse' – Volkanovski's Confession Catches Fans Off Guard originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Alexander Volkanovski is back on top. After a brutal stretch filled with back-to-back losses and tough questions about whether the fire was still there, he silenced all the noise at UFC 314 by recapturing the featherweight title. It was a gutsy performance, one that reminded everyone exactly who he is. But behind the victory and the cameras, Volkanovski has been carrying something far heavier than a championship belt. Advertisement During a recent sit-down with Demetrious Johnson on the MightyCast YouTube show, Volkanovski cracked the door open on what he's really been dealing with. And he didn't hold back. Alexander VolkanovskiGetty Images He spoke openly about the aftermath of his toughest fights—one against Islam Makhachev, the other against Ilia Topuria—and which one truly rattled him. 'I feel like I had more of a concussion from the Islam fight, even though I was knocked out longer with Ilia,' Volkanovski admitted. 'I had a lot more of the symptoms in that one. I should have had the break.' The words hit differently when they come from a fighter known for his toughness. Volkanovski has never been the type to make excuses, which makes this reveal all the more sobering. He didn't just lose—he felt off. Dizzy, drained, and fighting the kind of fog you can't train your way through. Advertisement Even though Topuria landed the clean knockout with a punch, and Makhachev finished him with a head kick, it was the earlier Makhachev war that left the deeper scars. It's a reminder that the hardest hits aren't always the ones that drop you. Even fans are voicing concern. One Reddit user put it plainly: 'He was KO'd 2× in 4 months, plus whatever mini concussions he got training. He really should take a full year off.' It's the kind of sentiment that mirrors what Volkanovski himself admitted—sometimes, even the toughest need to pause. Now champion once again, Volkanovski finds himself at a new crossroads. Will he take the cautious route, or stay in that high-stakes cycle of quick turnarounds and top contenders? While nothing's locked in, Volkanovski himself has expressed interest in facing rising contender Movsar Evloev—an undefeated talent climbing the ranks quickly. Advertisement Either way, Volkanovski has made one thing crystal clear: he's still here, still hungry—but this time, he's listening to his body just as much as his heart. Related: UFC Nashville: Three Fighters Who Could Be Cut with a Loss Related: UFC Signs Dangerous Heavyweight Submission Specialist in Latest Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Make Us a Promise' – UFC's Quiet Request to Ilia Topuria Revealed
'Make Us a Promise' – UFC's Quiet Request to Ilia Topuria Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ilia Topuria's star has never shined brighter. On the biggest stage of the year—UFC International Fight Week at T-Mobile Arena—he delivered a chilling reminder of his power. With one devastating straight right, he floored veteran Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, cementing his reign atop the lightweight division. But behind that walk-off shot lies a story that might raise a few eyebrows—one that includes a subtle favor, a crossed-fingers promise, and a weight class he's been told not to touch. Advertisement Heading into UFC 317, all signs pointed to Islam Makhachev. The fan base wanted it. The media pushed it. And Topuria? He'd been locked in on Makhachev for months. The narrative was clear—two dominant champs, a collision course for the ages. But the moment Makhachev set his sights on welterweight and the double champ dream, the entire script changed. Ilia TopuriaGetty Images In a recent article by MMAFightingonBSN's Damon Martin, Topuria peeled back the curtain on a behind-the-scenes moment that caught even him off guard. 'I thought about [moving up],' Topuria said on About Last Fight. 'But the last conversation I had with the UFC they personally asked me the favor like "don't tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Make us a promise." I was like "promise." I was [crossing my fingers]. I promise.' The grin, the fingers crossed, the casual delivery—it was all vintage Topuria. But behind the humor lies a telling clue: the UFC has plans for him, and it starts with keeping him anchored at 155. That doesn't mean things get any easier. The next names being whispered? Arman Tsarukyan, a rising storm. Justin Gaethje, always chaos in a bottle. Or perhaps, at long last, Paddy Pimblett—the unfinished business everyone loves to talk about. Advertisement Whether it's vengeance, validation, or violence, Topuria's next step has one thing guaranteed: it won't be boring. Related: UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities Related: Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: 'Where's the Help?' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen Thompson explains being against Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev next
Stephen Thompson doesn't think Jack Della Maddalena should face Islam Makhachev for his first UFC welterweight title defense. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the belt at UFC 315 in May. That immediately set up his first title defense against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who relinquished his lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds. Advertisement Thompson's issue isn't so much about Makhachev. It's more about Della Maddalena, whom he says should be granting the opportunity to top contenders first after having just won the belt. "First off, I've got to say, if I was Shavkat Rakhmonov or Ian Garry, or somebody that is right there who's worked really hard to get there, I'd be pretty pissed," Thompson told MMA Junkie. "Because this guy JDM just got the title and then he's giving somebody else a shot at what I've earned the right to have, which is a title shot. Like, give JDM one or two more guys. If he beats them, then give him somebody outside the division. But I would be kind of pissed. I'd be kind of upset that they're giving this guy immediately somebody from the 155-pound division." That being said, former title challenger Thompson sees Della Maddalena being a stern test for Makhachev. "Now, I think it's a very tough fight for Islam Makhachev," Thompson said. "Bigger guy, somebody who won the title from somebody with a similar style in Belal Muhammad. I do believe Islam Makhachev's striking is a lot better than Belal Muhammad's, but their pressure, their cardio, their wrestling background, fairly similar. Obviously, I think one would be better than the other, but he's faced somebody exactly like him. So, I think it would be a tough fight for Islam for sure." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC welterweight questions Jack Della Maddalena's first title defense
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Stephen Thompson explains being against Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev next
Stephen Thompson doesn't think Jack Della Maddalena should face Islam Makhachev for his first UFC welterweight title defense. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the belt at UFC 315 in May. That immediately set up his first title defense against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who relinquished his lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds. Thompson's issue isn't so much about Makhachev. It's more about Della Maddalena, whom he says should be granting the opportunity to top contenders first after having just won the belt. "First off, I've got to say, if I was Shavkat Rakhmonov or Ian Garry, or somebody that is right there who's worked really hard to get there, I'd be pretty pissed," Thompson told MMA Junkie. "Because this guy JDM just got the title and then he's giving somebody else a shot at what I've earned the right to have, which is a title shot. Like, give JDM one or two more guys. If he beats them, then give him somebody outside the division. But I would be kind of pissed. I'd be kind of upset that they're giving this guy immediately somebody from the 155-pound division." That being said, former title challenger Thompson sees Della Maddalena being a stern test for Makhachev. "Now, I think it's a very tough fight for Islam Makhachev," Thompson said. "Bigger guy, somebody who won the title from somebody with a similar style in Belal Muhammad. I do believe Islam Makhachev's striking is a lot better than Belal Muhammad's, but their pressure, their cardio, their wrestling background, fairly similar. Obviously, I think one would be better than the other, but he's faced somebody exactly like him. So, I think it would be a tough fight for Islam for sure."
