Latest news with #UFC298
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Henry Cejudo on what makes 'greatest bantamweight of all time' Merab Dvalishvili so good
Henry Cejudo on what makes 'greatest bantamweight of all time' Merab Dvalishvili so good Henry Cejudo had high praise for former UFC foe Merab Dvalishvili. Cejudo (16-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) lost to Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 298. Dvalishvili went on to dethrone Sean O'Malley to become bantamweight champion at UFC 306, and notched his first title defense by handing Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss at UFC 311. Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former UFC dual-champion Cejudo was put in unfamiliar territory by Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) when he was taken down five times in their fight. "I knew Merab was really, really good with his chain fighting," Cejudo said on the JAXXON PODCAST. "So, it's not even wrestling, it's how you chain it. That's what separates them. Chaining is really putting the punches together and boom, the level change comes. Rather than just you maybe throwing a right hand and all of a sudden the level change comes. "He's able to mix it very good with his fakes and feints into takedowns. He's a f*cking machine. It's his cardio, it's his conditioning. It's the same reason why he can't knock people out because he just knows that certain threshold where he could just keep it there and take it there. He can't necessarily finish you, but he'll f*cking drown you." Dvalishvili will run things back with O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC 316 main event on June 7 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Cejudo sticks by his statement that Dvalishvili is the greatest bantamweight of all time. "I got to give credit to Merab and this is why I would say he's the greatest bantamweight of all time," Cejudo said. "Maybe he doesn't have the title defenses, but look at who he's beat. Yeah (he's better than Dillashaw). Look at the list of who he's beat and how he's beat them. There's a big difference."
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Ilia Topuria fires at Khabib Nurmagomedov, says he'll take Islam Makhachev's title
Ilia Topuria has declared himself the rightful challenger for Islam Makhachev's UFC lightweight title, firing back at Khabib Nurmagomedov for backing Arman Tsarukyan and accusing the MMA legend of protecting his longtime teammate. Topuria, the undefeated Georgian-Spanish fighter, made his stance clear after Nurmagomedov suggested Tsarukyan deserved the next title shot. The comments were made in the wake of Topuria voluntarily vacating his featherweight belt to move up to 155 pounds. 'Khabib knows I'm the one to take the belt from Islam,' Topuria posted on social media. 'Only reason he doesn't want Islam to fight me.' Khabib knows I'm the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn't want Islam to fight me — Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 16, 2025 Topuria's recent résumé supports his claim. After starting his UFC career with six straight wins, including a lightweight victory over Jai Herbert, Topuria scored back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 and Max Holloway at UFC 308. He became the first man to finish Holloway via strikes and the first to defeat Volkanovski in a featherweight contest. With Arman Tsarukyan missing his opportunity due to a back injury before UFC 311, Topuria's path to a title shot appears clearer. Tsarukyan, who previously lost to Makhachev in his UFC debut in 2019, had built a strong case with a 9-1 record since but must now wait after being forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Tsarukyan 'will have to fight his way back' into contention, possibly opening the door for Topuria's shot at gold. Topuria also appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast recently, where he stated he had no issues 'sitting out' and waiting for a title shot agains Makhachev. As for Makhachev, his next move could depend on the UFC 315 main event between welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev has previously expressed interest in moving up to welterweight to become a two-division champion but has hesitated due to his friendship with Muhammad. If Maddalena pulls off an upset, Makhachev could shift divisions, potentially vacating the lightweight title or leading to an interim bout. That scenario might see Topuria face another top contender for gold at 155 pounds. For now, Topuria has made it known he's ready—and willing—to challenge the reigning champion.
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Ilia Topuria Vows To Sit Until He Gets UFC Lightweight Title Shot
Technically, Ilia Topuria was the UFC featherweight champion until the moment the main event of UFC 314 between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes began. Once that fight started, the title was vacant, leaving many, including Topuria, to wonder what was next for the former UFC featherweight titleholder. Topuria, speaking to Joe Rogan, said he has clear plans for who he will fight and what the stakes of that fight will be. "I would like to fight with [UFC lightweight champion] When Rogan broached the subject of the UFC possibly giving Topuria a No. 1 contender fight instead of his desired matchup with Makhachev, the 16-0 Topuria drew a line in the sand. "I wouldn't fight for a No. 1 contender fight. If Islam decides he doesn't want to fight me. I'll sit until you're gonna have to fight me," Topuria said. "You say you are the world champion, and you're going to keep dominating the division and all that? I'm here. You can't keep avoiding me all the time. I don't think they would put me on the sidelines because I vacated the belt because I told them I wouldn't fight at 145 again, but I got a promise that I would fight for the title in my next fight. So, how much time will you stop me from fighting?" Rogan then asked Topuria if the UFC had promised him a title fight. "Of course," said Topuria. "If they give that chance to everybody, why not to me? They gave it to Henry Cejudo. They gave it to Conor McGregor. They gave it to Georges St-Pierre. They gave it to [Jon] Topuria joined the UFC with an 8-0 record. He quickly climbed the featherweight rankings, going 6-0 by June 2023 with four stoppage wins and three fight-night bonus awards. By the time he faced Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 in February 2024, Topuria was the No. 3 ranked fighter in the official UFC featherweight rankings. Topuria took the title from Volkanovski that night via second-round knockout. He also earned his fourth straight fight-night bonus for that win. In October 2024, Topuria defended that title against former champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308. On that night in Abu Dhabi, Topuria became the first fighter to finish Holloway via strikes, stopping the ex-145-pound kingpin in the third stanza. Topuria took home another fight-night bonus for his efforts that night. Then, in February, UFC CEO Dana White said Topuria was laying down his title. "Topuria has felt like he's done all he can in that division, and he feels like he's cemented his legacy, and his body cannot make the weight anymore," White said on Instagram Live. "So Topuria will be moving up to 155 pounds and will be vacating the featherweight title. ... As soon as the first punch is thrown in (Volkanovski vs. Lopes), the title is vacated." "We will announce what Topuria's next fight will be when we get it done," White added. Volkanovski reclaimed the title with a decision win over Lopes at UFC 314. As for that next fight for Topuria, it hasn't been announced. Makhachev defended his crown for the fourth time in January with a submission win over Renato Moicano. Recently, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who trains Makhachev, suggested that the man Moicano replaced at UFC 311, Arman Tsarukyan, should get the shot. "My personal opinion — not necessarily [more] dangerous, let's say more competitive — I think it's [Arman] Tsarukyan," Khabib Nurmagomedov told Adam Zubayraev. "I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145, but we haven't seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria. ... "I don't know what kind of agreements Topuria and the UFC had, but from Islam's side, he already gave two title shots to 145 champions. Both times Islam won. Now a third time — OK, let's imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away, Islam beats him, then Topuria fights again, he loses again. So basically [a] Tsarukyan fell off the UFC 311 card on weigh-in day. Obviously Ilia Topuria sees things different. Soon, it will be up to the UFC to decide if Topuria gets what he says was promised to him, which is a title fight against Makhachev.
Fox Sports
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox Sports
Volkanovski claims featherweight belt at UFC 314 with unanimous decision over Lopes
Associated Press MIAMI (AP) — Title fights are nothing new to Alexander Volkanovski. His featherweight bout early Sunday morning against Diego Lopes was his 10th championship fight in a row, but Volkanovski had been in a slump in which he had lost three of his past four matches. He left little doubt against Lopes at UFC 314, winning by unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 49-46 and the other had it 48-47. 'It's good to be back,' Volkanovski said. 'I promised my girls I would bring the belt back to them. It doesn't matter about bringing the belt back. The message was a lot of people counted me out.' Volkanovski (27-4) had successfully defended his belt four times before moving up a weight class and losing to Israel Makhachev on Feb. 11, 2023. Then after reclaiming the featherweight title five months later over Yair Rodriguez, Volkanovski lost back-to-back matches. Now he has championship back. President Donald Trump, a longtime friend of UFC President and CEO Dana White and a fan of the sport, watched from the front row. Shaquille O'Neal approached Trump and shook his hand. Cabinet officials Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also were in attendance as was X (formerly Twitter) owner and White House adviser Elon Musk. In the co-main event, No. 12 lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett continued his UFC rise with a technical knockout of No. 7 Michael Chandler at 3:07 of the third round. Pimblett, a 30-year-old from Liverpool, England, has won all seven of his bouts since moving to the organization, giving him a 23-3 record overall. 'I want that world title,' Pimblett said. 'Some say I'll never be champ, I'll never get run, I'll never be in the top 10. But what now?' At nearly 39, Chandler has some decisions to making after winning just two of his most recent seven bouts. He is 23-10. Featherweight Bryce Mitchell, who fought for the first time since praising Adolf Hitler and denying the Holocaust on a podcast, was also on the card. He later backed off his comments and though White heavily criticized Mitchell, he didn't discipline him. Mitchell was little match for Jean Silva in their featherweight fight. Silva won by submission with a guillotine choke with 1:08 left in the second round. Volkanovski, despite getting cut below his right eye in the second and being floored by an overhand right in that round, dominated the first three rounds. But Lopes' glove caught Volkanovski's other eye in the fourth round and then pounced, but failed to put him away. That set up the fifth round and, barring a knockout, Volkanovski appeared on his way to victory even though Lopes spent much of the fight verbally challenging him and inviting him to box. Theatrics to the contrary, Volkanovski was the aggressor. Volkanovski had hoped to get another shot at Ilia Topuria and avenge his loss from more than a year ago at UFC 298. But Topuria moved up to the lightweight division, leaving the featherweight class vacant. In stepped Lopes, the third-ranked challenger, to take on Volkanovski, the 36-year-old from Australia. Lopes, a 30-year-old from Brazil, was in first title bout. 'Maybe I came up short on the technical piece,' Lopes said through an interpreter. 'I can see myself coming back. I have only two years in this organization, and I think I'm going to train better. I'm going to get better." Volkanovski was a -160 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook to defeat Lopes (26-7), whose five-match winning streak ended. In preparing for Lopes, Volkanovski said he fully committed himself by beginning training camp earlier than usual and focusing on the workout recovery process and dieting in addition to the physical demands. He said he has never been this lean going into a bout. Volkanovski had plenty of reason for wanting to get to work. He took an extended layoff after losing in February 2024 to Topuria. More than that, he's coming off defeats in three of his past four fights, including losing the two most recent matches. All four fights occurred in less than a year, so he was much more rested. ___ AP sports:
Al Jazeera
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Volkanovski crowned UFC featherweight champion again as Trump watches on
Alexander Volkanovski has reclaimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight championship after defeating Diego Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in Miami, where United States President Donald Trump was in attendance. Two judges scored the fight 49-46 and the third had it 48-47 as the Australian mixed martial arts fighter won the title early Sunday. Volkanovski (27-4) had successfully defended his belt four times before losing to Israel Makhachev on February 11, 2023. 'It's good to be back,' Volkanovski said after the win. As for Lopes, he gave his full respect to the champion but wanted the crowd to know this was not the end of the journey. 'It was an honour to share the Octagon with Alexander Volkanovski,' Lopes said. 'I'll be back.' Trump, a longtime friend of UFC President and CEO Dana White, as well as a fan of the sport, watched from the front row. Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal approached Trump and shook his hand. Cabinet officials Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio and Robert F Kennedy Jr also were in attendance as was X owner and White House adviser Elon Musk. Volkanovski, despite getting cut below his right eye in the second and being floored by an overhand right in that round, dominated the first three rounds. But Lopes's glove caught Volkanovski's other eye in the fourth round and then pounced, but failed to put him away. That set up the fifth round and, barring a knockout, Volkanovski appeared on his way to victory even though Lopes spent much of the fight verbally challenging him and inviting him to box. Theatrics to the contrary, Volkanovski was the aggressor. Volkanovski had hoped to get another shot at Ilia Topuria and avenge his loss from more than a year ago at UFC 298. But Topuria moved up to the lightweight division, leaving the featherweight class vacant. In stepped Lopes, the third-ranked challenger, to take on Volkanovski. This was the 10th consecutive title fight for the 36-year-old top-ranked contender Volkanovski. Lopes, 30, was in his first title bout. Volkanovski ended Lopes's five-match winning streak. Volkanovski had plenty of reasons for wanting to get to work. He took an extended layoff after losing in February 2024 to Topuria. More than that, he was coming off defeats in three of his past four fights, including losing the two most recent matches. All four fights occurred in less than a year, so he was much more rested. In the co-main event, lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett continued this rise with a technical knockout of Michael Chandler after three minutes and seven seconds in the third round. Plimbett, a 30-year-old from Liverpool, United Kingdom, has won all seven of his bouts since moving to the organisation, giving him a 23-3 record overall. 'I want that world title,' Pimblett said. 'Some say I'll never be champ, I'll never get run, I'll never be in the top 10. But what now?' At nearly 39, Chandler has some decisions to make after winning just two of his most recent seven bouts. He is 23-10. Featherweight Bryce Mitchell, who fought for the first time since praising Adolf Hitler and denying the Holocaust on a podcast, was also on the card. He later backed off his comments, and though White heavily criticised Mitchell, he did not discipline him. Mitchell was little match for Jean Silva in their featherweight fight. Silva won by submission with a guillotine choke with a minute left in the second round.
