Latest news with #UFC310
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 70 gets Chris Curtis, Jake Matthews among other Nashville fight card additions
UFC on ESPN 70 gets Chris Curtis, Jake Matthews among other Nashville fight card additions Several bouts have been added to July's UFC on ESPN 70 in Nashville. The UFC's seventh visit to Nashville, Tenn. is taking shape. Three new bouts have been added to UFC on ESPN 70 including Jake Matthews vs. Chidi Njokuani, Max Griffin vs. Chris Curtis, and Junior Tafa vs. Ateba Gautier. The promotion announced the news Tuesday. UFC on ESPN 70 takes place July 12 at the Bridgestone Arena and is headlined by a heavyweight bout between former title challenger Derrick Lewis against undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira. Njokuani (25-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) looks to build on his 3-0 run since he dropped back down to welterweight. Meanwhile, Matthews (21-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC), a veteran of the weight class, looks to get his own 3-0 run, as he's coming off back-to-back decision wins over Phil Rowe and Francisco Prado. Additionally, Max Griffin welcomes Chris Curtis back to welterweight. Curtis (31-12 MMA, 5-4 UFC), who's competed all of his 10 UFC fights at 185 pounds, will be making his promotional welterweight debut. He looks to snap a two-fight losing skid now in a new division. "Pain" Griffin is 2-2 in his past four trips to the octagon, with his most recent one being a submission loss to Michael Chiesa in December at UFC 310. Lastly, Tafa (6-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will also be trying out a new weight class – light heavyweight. He takes on Gautier (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who's coming off a devastating KO win in his debut fight against Jose Medina in Mexico City in March.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
UFC play-by-play commentator reveals major Octagon plans for former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad and Jon Anik. Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik made a big revelation as he opened up on former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad 's future move within the Octagon . While his reign in the welterweight division was put to an end by Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Muhammad aims at bouncing back and climbing the ladder once again to reach the top of the division. After the devastating loss, the fighter will now face the undefeated fighter of the division, Shavkat Rakhmonov, in order to restart the journey of securing the belt once again. Belal Muhammad is rumored to face the undisputed UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, plans to conquer the title once again Weeks removed from the devastating loss faced by Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 via a unanimous decision, rumors have started resurfacing about a possible bout between the former welterweight and Shavkat Rakhmonov, the undefeated fighter with a pro-MMA record of 19-0-0. After winning the belt at UFC 304 against Leon Edwards, Muhammad was initially supposed to defend the belt against Rakhmonov at UFC 310. However, due to an unexpected bone infection on his foot, Muhammad had to withdraw from the fight. While fans remained excited for a bout between the two fighters upon Muhammad's return, they instead met with a surprise when the fighter was paired up against Jack Della Maddalena in UFC 315. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo With the fight being over now and Muhammad losing his belt, fans speculated about a possible opponent for his next bout. Muhammad's loss made it convenient for former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to vacate his belt and move up the weight division. The Dagestani fighter will be facing Della Maddalena for a title run towards the end of this year. Since both Makhachev and Muhammad dismissed the possibility of facing each other, the latter will now be focusing on other top contenders in the division in order to secure a title run later. Fueling the fan speculation and the hope to see Muhammad and Rakhmonov go against each other finally after months of withdrawals and delays, UFC commentator Jon Anik, in a recent episode of the Anik and Florian podcast, revealed the next opponent for Muhammad's quest. Anik stated, 'We will see what Shavkat Rakhmonov has for him in October. Belal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov in October. There's your breaking news.' Also read: Belal Muhammad breaks silence on shocking circumstances behind UFC 315 title loss - 'I am going to live with that' It seems the UFC 315 setback was nothing but just a minor inconvenience for Belal Muhammad's journey as a pro MMA fighter. The former welterweight looks forward to kickstarting his title run once again and if what Anik said is legit, fans can expect an announcement shortly from the UFC. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting'
UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting' Add UFC heavyweight veteran Alexander Volkov to the list of people frustrated with Jon Jones holding up the division. Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC), currently ranked No. 3 by the promotion in the heavyweight division, wants clarity in the title picture. Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) is expected to fight a title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall next. However, after the promotion announced its summer slate of pay-per-view main events, the Jones vs. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) fight remains unscheduled. It's a frustrating position for the Russian heavyweight. Volkov, 36, knows his window of opportunity to earn a title shot is rapidly closing. "As a fighter, of course, I have a negative opinion about the delay of the Jones-Aspinall fight, because my chances to fight for the championship title are getting smaller, and time is running out," Volkov told ChampionAT in Russian (translated by Google). "In other weight classes, there is a real conveyor belt of fights. That is why I am unhappy. So I would have had a chance to test myself in a title fight a long time ago, if it were not for Jon Jones." Jones won the vacant title by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 in March 2023. Jones did not defend his title until UFC 309 in November 2024, where he easily dispatched Stipe Miocic, which was a heavily criticized matchup. Miocic was 42, and had not won a fight since August 2020. Meanwhile, Aspinall was right there waiting as a top contender, as he is today, but with a piece of the title. UFC CEO Dana White has said on more than one occasion that the Jones vs. Aspinall fight will come together soon, but the demeanor Jones has displayed on social media suggests he's closer to never fighting again than getting ready for another fight. Volkov, who saw a four-fight winning streak come to an end in a split decision loss to Gane at UFC 310 in December, hopes things clear up soon. He likely has to win a fight or two to earn a shot at the title, but he would like to know what is necessary. Despite being frustrated with the situation, Volkov said he understands Jones' position as a hot commodity who can call his own shots. However, he also wonders why the UFC continues to entertain Jones while it ruins the flow of the division. "If I were in Jones' place, with his position, the goal of earning the maximum amount of money and the desire to fight when it is convenient for him, then, of course, I would continue to do this," Volkov said. "It is obvious that he does, first and foremost, what is beneficial for him, and Jon has the right to do this. The question here is not so much about Jon Jones, but about the fact that the UFC allows him to behave this way and shows excessive loyalty to him. As a result, everyone is waiting."
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vicente Luque seeks UFC 316 finish Kevin Holland to prove he's 'hungry for that title'
Vicente Luque seeks UFC 316 finish Kevin Holland to prove he's 'hungry for that title' Vicente Luque thinks he's now well past the brain bleed that threatened his career and is ready to show he's back to full form against Kevin Holland at UFC 316. After a more than yearlong hiatus from competition that end in mid-2023, Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) has won two of three fights since his comeback. His most recent performance saw him choke out Themba Gorimbo in 52 seconds at UFC 310 in December, setting him up for the June 7 showdown with fan favorite Holland at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Although neither men occupy a top 15 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, Luque knows the value Holland carries with his name, and he sees this matchup as a key stepping stone in where he needs to be. "It's one of the fights to get me back to the top," Luque told MMA Junkie Radio. "That's what I'm looking for. I want to get back into that mix in the top five. That's the goal for this year, and I think a fight against Holland – it's not easy to get a ranked opponent right now, and I don't want to wait. I've been waiting for a long time and I think that Holland is that kind of name who has been in the rankings in middleweight and welterweight. "He's a guy that everyone is backing and supporting and I think it's a fight that brings the hype, and it's win, if I go out there and pick up a good win against him, I think that sets me up for a great fight after that and moves me up the rankings. That's my goal to get back to that top five and get back to the title picture." Luque thinks the matchup with Holland is one that will bring out his most violent side. He already has the second-most finishes in UFC welterweight history with 14, and can tie Matt Brown's all-time record of 15 if he puts Holland away inside the distance. That is something Luque will be pushing hard for, and when it happen, he thinks he will be back in the rankings and start to gain traction as a title contender that he had earlier in his career. "He's not trying to stall, he's not trying to have a safe fight. That's what I like. That's what brings the best out of me. … My own game is I can knock you out, I can submit you. I'm a complete MMA fighter and more than anything, I'm always going for that finish. It's a style that really matches well." "We have all the ingredients to make a Fight of the Night, a Fight of the Year. To go out there and do what I do and show the UFC and everybody that I'm still hungry for that title. I'm climbing up. I'm just 33 years old. I feel like I'm still just getting better. That's what I'm going to show that night."
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 co-headliner
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 co-headliner Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will look to continue dominating his division when he takes on a dangerous contender at UFC 317. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France preview Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) and Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC) already fought once before, but it came on Season 24 of "The Ultimate Fighter" in a two-round exhibition bout which Pantoja won by unanimous decision. Pantoja will look to notch his fourth title defense after wins over Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg and most recently Kai Asakura at UFC 310. Meanwhile, Kara-France earned his opportunity after a first-round TKO of Erceg at UFC 305 last August. This will be his second crack at UFC gold after losing to Brandon Moreno for the vacant interim title by third-round TKO at UFC 277. Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France odds According to DraftKings, Pantoja is a moderate -245 favorite to beat former title challenger Kara-France, who's a +200 underdog. How to watch Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view When: Saturday, June 28, 2025
