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Ren Hiramoto Calls for UFC Deal, Vows to ‘Carry on the Will’ of Conor McGregor

Hey danaI am the man who will carry on the will of the great Conor McGregorI'm going to be UFC championKai Asakura, for example, is a champion who can only fight 3 rounds.I am the first Rizin champion to fight 5 rounds.I'm going to make the UFC great!@danawhite pic.twitter.com/xluCy56ZO7

— 平本蓮 REN HIRAMOTO (@renhiramotoXX) December 8, 2024

Japanese star Ren Hiramoto is rallying for an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Hiramoto recently urged UFC CEO Dana White to give him a contract, vowing to be the next superstar of the promotion. The runner-up in the 2017 K-1 lightweight tournament, Hiramoto is currently competing in the Rizin Fighting Federation featherweight division. The 26-year-old is 4-3 as a pro with one finish to his name.

Hiramoto recently called for a UFC deal while dismissing recently-signed UFC fighter Kai Asakura, who was given an immediate title shot against flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja …

Merab Dvalishvili: Fan Altercation at UFC 310 Was Set Up By Umar Nurmagomedov

Merab got into ANOTHER altercation with a fan after Aljamain Sterling lost to Mosvar Evloev. 👀 #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/MBeKMmvQkZ

— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) December 8, 2024

Merab Dvalishvili believes his altercation with a fan was orchestrated by future opponent Umar Nurmagomedov and his team.

Dvalishvili was in attendance at UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “The Machine” cornered his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, who dropped a decision against Movsar Evloev on the preliminary card.

Dvalishvili got into an altercation with a fan as he was walking backstage with Sterling after the fight. Footage shows the fan initially grabbing Dvalishvili by the arm while recording him. Dvalishvili’s teammate, Dennis Buzukja, was later seen throwing punches at the fan while security restrained Dvalishvili. This isn’t the first time that Dvalishvili has been involved in this type of incident, as…

Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry Expect to Meet Again After Close Fight at UFC 310

While Shavkat Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night, his ability to prevail in that type of fight means big things could be on the horizon for the Kazakhstan native.

Rakhmonov took a closely contested unanimous verdict over Ian Garry in the UFC 310 co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. “Nomad” had finished his first 18 opponents, but getting the victory — by any method — was the primary goal in this instance.

“Who doesn’t want to finish fights?” Rakhmonov said through a translator at the UFC 310 post-fight press conference. “I did everything in my power to do so, but Ian had a great preparation, but I believe next fight I will continue my finishing streak.

“… For me it’s most important to get the win, and I’m happy I won.”

Rakhmonov is now 7-0 in UFC competition, and after his latest triumph, a showdown with reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad looms in the …

Alexander Volkov Blasts Judges for ‘Bulls–t Decision’ in Controversial UFC 310 Defeat

Alexander Volkov isn’t sure what the cageside judges were seeing during his rematch with Ciryl Gane at UFC 310.

Volkov dropped a controversial split-decision to Gane in their featured heavyweight clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. While their first meeting in June 2021 was a clear-cut win for the Frenchman, Volkov appeared to make the necessary adjustments the second time around. When the final verdict was announced, even Gane appeared perplexed by the ruling, as he tried to exit the Octagon without even giving a post-fight interview.

“I saw the eyes of his team, and they didn’t expect this,” Volkov said during his post-fight media scrum (video via MMAjunkie.com). “They didn’t expect the decision, and he was upset, so my respect to Ciryl Gane. He wasn’t like a guy who just walked out from the cage after the decision, because he didn’t feel this, too. Nothing bad to my opponent, I just don’t accept with the commission. I can…

Demetrious Johnson Rejects Alexandre Pantoja’s Callout; UFC Champ Responds

Moments after Alexandre Pantoja vanquished former Rizin bantamweight king Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner, the reigning flyweight champion made interesting use of his microphone time in the Octagon.

“This is the level, the UFC level that’s here so high. You think some Japanese [fighter] going to come here and take my belt? No. When the Octagon is locked, this is my town, this is my city,” Pantoja said in his post-fight interview.

“He doesn’t fight anymore. He retired this year. But this is something for you Demetrious Johnson,” Pantoja added. “I’m the GOAT here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”

Johnson was a longtime UFC flyweight champ before he was traded to ONE Championship for Ben Askren in 2018. “Mighty Mouse” continued his decorated career in the Singapore-based promotion — winning a title at 135 pounds — before announcing his retirement this past September. Johnson is widely regarded as the sport’s all-time best …

UFC 310 Bonuses: Alexandre Pantoja Leads Four ‘Performance of the Night’ Winners

Alexandre Pantoja defended his turf in impressive fashion, and he received some extra compensation for his work as a result.

The reigning flyweight champion earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his second-round submission of Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After an entertaining first round, “The Cannibal” took his foe’s back in a scramble and eventually secured a rear-naked choke, rendering the former Rizin Fighting Federation title holder unconscious at the 2:05 mark of Round 2.

Elsewhere, Vicente Luque took home a $50,000 “Peformance of the Night” check by making short work of Themba Gorimbo in a preliminary welterweight showdown. The Kill Cliff FC representative rocked his foe with a right hook and shortly thereafter, locked in an anaconda choke to put Gorimbo to sleep just 52 seconds into the opening stanza.

In other action, Chase Hooper garnered a $50,000 “Performance of the Night”…

Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja Puts Kai Asakura to Bed in UFC 310 Headliner

Alexandre Pantoja was once again unwilling to make room for anyone else at the top.

The American Top Team-trained Brazilian put promotional newcomer Kai Asakura to sleep with a palm-to-palm rear-naked choke, as he retained the Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight crown in the second round of their UFC 310 headliner on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Asakura (21-5, 0-1 UFC) blacked out 2:05 into Round 2.

Champion and challenger traded barbs throughout a compelling first round. Pantoja (29-5, 13-3 UFC) threw more and landed more while also mixing in a takedown. Asakura responded with a few thudding knees to the body and inside leg kicks but could not keep pace with “The Cannibal.” Pantoja set off a scramble in the second round, jumped to the back, locked down a body triangle and focused all his efforts on the neck of the two-time Rizin Fighting Federation titleholder. He slipped the choke in place, switched grips and let his squeeze do the…

UFC 310 ‘Pantoja vs. Asakura’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sherdog's live UFC 310 coverage will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nzechukwu (-620), Brzeski (+400)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round: Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-1150), Guida (+650)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT…

UFC 310 Prelims: Resurgent Dominick Reyes Downs Anthony Smith in Las Vegas

Dominick Reyes appears to have steadied himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight division.

The Teixeira MMA export stopped former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Anthony Smith with punches and elbows in the second round of their featured UFC 310 prelim on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In his first assignment since the death of longtime friend and mentor Scott Morton, Smith (38-21, 13-11 UFC) met his end 4:46 into Round 2.

Reyes (14-4, 8-4 UFC) employed an active kicking game to all levels and called upon potent jab-cross combos. Smith swooped in for a single-leg takedown attempt early in the second round, only to be met with digging elbows. Reyes continued to chip away with shots to the side of the head, maintained a steady pace and left referee Marc Goddard no choice but to intervene.

Meanwhile, Kill Cliff Fight Club’s Vicente Luque put Themba Gorimbo to sleep with an anaconda choke in the first roun…

Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2, Zhang vs. Suarez Set for UFC 312 in Sydney

UFC 312 will have a pair of championship bouts at the top of the bill.

Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown in a rematch with Sean Strickland in the evening’s main event, while Weili Zhang will face Tatiana Suarez in a strawweight title bout in the co-headliner. The pairings were announced during the UFC 310 broadcast on Saturday night.

UFC 312 takes place on Feb. 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The main card will air on pay-per-view via ESPN+.

Du Plessis captured 185-pound gold with a split-decision victory over Strickland in their first meeting at UFC 297. “Stillknocks” defended the strap this past August, when he submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of their main event clash at UFC 307. The 30-year-old South African is 8-0 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

After falling to Du Plessis, Strickland returned to the win column with a split verdict against Paulo Costa at UFC 302 this…

UFC’s Return to Seattle Official for Feb. 22

Seattle, you ready? 👀

We're coming to @ClimateArena for #UFCSeattle!

Presale begins Thursday, January 9 ➡️ https://t.co/Lk2ne0yFXU pic.twitter.com/ckylEH9375 — UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2024

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Seattle is now official.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Saturday that it will host a card in “The Emerald City” on Feb. 22. It will be the UFC’s fourth trip to Seattle and the first since 2013, when Demetrious Johnson defended his flyweight crown against John Moraga in the UFC on Fox 8 headliner.

UFC Seattle takes place at Climate Pledge Arena and doesn’t yet have an official headliner. However, a handful of bouts have been reported for the event, including: Anthony Hernandez vs. Brendan Allen at middleweight; Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia at featherweight; Ketlen Vieira vs. Macy Chiasson at bantamweight; Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan at featherweight; Ion C…

UFC 310 Weigh-in Results: Title Fight Set; Bryan Battle Heavy

[embedded content] The Ultimate Fighting Championship's final pay-per-view event of the year is set after the UFC 310 weigh-ins.

Headlining the mixed martial arts promotion's return to Las Vegas is a flyweight championship fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Octagon newcomer Kai Asakura. Both men successfully made the weight, which wasn't a given as Asakura had previously been fighting at bantamweight. One fighter missed weight, as Bryan Battle checked in four pounds heavy for his welterweight contest against Randy Brown. While Anthony Smith initially weighed in 1.5 pounds heavy, he returned within the additional hour period to reach 205.5 pounds. Battle's match is expected to continue, and he is to receive an undisclosed percentage fine from his purse.

Pantoja (28-5) is on an impressive six-fight win streak that saw him claim the 125-pound title. "The Cannibal" has made two successful defenses of the belt against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg since dethroning Brando…

Beneil Dariush Takes On Renato ‘Moicano’ on Jan. 18 at UFC 311

#UFC311 just keeps getting BETTER 😮‍💨

Jan 18 can't come soon enough! pic.twitter.com/jbiVNLdpRu

— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2024 Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Renato “Money” Moicano is getting his wish, just a little later than he expected.

The organization released the full bout listing and order for UFC 311 on Thursday, which is taking place on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Many of the matchups had already been announced or reported, including its headliner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematching for the lightweight strap, and its co-main attraction of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov with bantamweight gold on the line. Of note, the promotion revealed that on the main card, Beneil Dariush (22-6-1) would be throwing down with Moicano (20-5-1) in the lightweight division. Additionally, Tagir Ulanbekov and Clayton Carpenter will serve as the flyweight curtain jerker.

Dariush wi…

Makhachev-Tsarukyan 2, Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov Announced for UFC 311

First PPV of 2025 is a BANGER 🔥@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @ArmanUFC 2@MerabDvalishvil vs @UNmgdv #UFC311 at the @IntuitDome | 🎟️: https://t.co/dX45J0Cwpw pic.twitter.com/QE3Evz1uQr

— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2024

Two title bouts will top the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to the City of Angels.

Dana White announced on Wednesday night that UFC 311 will be headlined by a lightweight championship clash between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight crown against Umar Nurmagomedov. UFC 311 takes place on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+.

Makchev and Tsarukyan initially squared off at UFC Fight Night 149, with Makhachev winning via unanimous decision in the April 2019 bout. That was just part of an ongoing 14-fight winning streak for Makhachev, who captured the lightweight strap with a second-round submission of Charles Oliveira a…

Mackenzie Dern-Amanda Ribas Rematch Rescheduled for UFC Main Event on Jan. 11

The rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas is getting a little bit more prominent placement on the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship schedule.

The strawweight bout, which was originally slated for the co-main event at UFC Tampa on Dec. 7, will now instead serve as the headliner for UFC Fight Night on Jan. 11. Multiple outlets confirmed the change following an initial report from MMA Mania. Ribas defeated Dern via unanimous decision in their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 161 on Oct. 12, 2019.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Dern snapped a two-bout skid in her last outing, when she took a three-round verdict over Lupita Godinez at UFC on ABC 7 on Aug. 3. The 31-year-old RVCA representative owns victories over the likes of Angela Hill, Tecia Pennington and Virna Jandiroba during her promotional tenure.

Ribas has competed at both strawweight and flyweight in the UFC. The Brazilian is coming off a five-round defeat to Rose Namajunas at 125…

Turki Alalshikh Hints at Working on Potential Francis Ngannou-Jon Jones Fight

Turki Alalshikh hints at potentially trying to make Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones happen 👀

“In MMA, all the time we want to do the biggest things… we need to send Dana White to the moon.” 😅

🎥 @DAZNBoxing #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/SqJqqUtOGj — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 3, 2024

All hope isn’t lost when it comes to making arguably the biggest heavyweight fight in MMA.

When Jon Jones initially announced his plan to return to action at heavyweight, the most anticipated fight was a showdown against then UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou. However, a lengthy contract dispute with the UFC eventually led to Ngannou’s exit from the promotion in January 2023. The Cameroonian-Frenchman went on to join rival promotion Professional Fighters League, where he was also allowed to compete in boxing.

Meanwhile, Jones went on to win the vacant title with an easy submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023…

Rickson Gracie’s Best Friend Will Be in Kron Gracie’s Corner at UFC 310

As revealed this week on the Brazilian podcast Mundo da Luta, Rickson Gracie, currently fighting Parkinson's disease, will not be present in son Kron Gracie’s corner for his return to the Octagon at UFC 310.

Gracie will square off against Bryce Mitchell in a featherweight pairing on the main card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

“I'm very hopeful that he will have a good fight,” Rickson said. “I want him to win, but now I'm giving him space and we have a certain understanding. And now he has space to decide his life in the best way. I pray for him, but now I’m going to stay at home and watch.”

However, Sherdog has learned that Helio Gracie’s grandson will have a strong team around him when he enters the Ocagon. In addition to training partner Nate Diaz, Kron will have the support of Sergio Zveiter, Rickson's best friend — the only one present for all of his fights.

“Rickson is like a brother to me. I was present in …

Shavkat Rakhmonov Claims to Have Submitted Ian Garry in Sparring

Shavkat Rakhmonov says he made Ian Garry tap during their sparring sessions 😳

“I wonder why they didn’t release the other part of the sparring.”

🎥 @arielhelwani #UFC #MMA #UFC310pic.twitter.com/5h2LtBLH93

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 3, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov allegedly tapped out Ian Garry in sparring.

Rakhmonov and Garry will co-headline UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The undefeated welterweights have previously trained together at Kill Cliff FC in Florida. While “Nomad” continues to train there, Garry has since relocated to Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Brazil.

Leading up to the fight, Garry released old sparring footage with Rakhmonov where the Irishman seemed to be faring well. The Kazakh has since accused Garry of releasing only those parts of the footage where he looked good. Rakhmonov recently claimed to have choked Garry during the same session.

According to Rakhmonov, Ga…

Coach: Alexandre Pantoja Can Prove He is World’s Best Flyweight at UFC 310

American Top Team coach Marcus “Parrumpa” da Matta arrived in Las Vegas on Sunday with Alexandre Pantoja, who will defend his flyweight title against Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 main event on Saturday night.

“We arrived on the Sunday before the fight to start the fight week well-rested and already getting used to the Vegas atmosphere. Pantoja´s weight is better than in the last fight, although he is much stronger,” the coach revealed.

“Parrumpa” claims that Pantoja just completed one of the best camps of his MMA career to date.

“Pantoja is (extremely popular) at ATT. Even the girls who do the cleaning were thrilled and excited when he became champion,” da Matta said. “When he goes to fight, all the lightweights line up to help him. This camp was one of the best we’ve ever done.”

The Brazilian coach, who is a black belt under the legendary master Carlson Gracie, does not shy away from talking about the tactics planned to neutralize the dangero…

Petr Yan Mocks Sean O’Malley for Inactivity Between Fights

🗣️ Petr Yan: “I don’t know what’s going on with [Sean O’Malley]. He’s out for 9-12 months, maybe he got pregnant.” 😭😭

🎥 @arielhelwani #UFC #MMA

pic.twitter.com/IAI5XFsiOB — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 3, 2024

Petr Yan is plotting a rematch against Sean O'Malley.

O’Malley earned a title shot with a hard-fought split decision win over Yan at UFC 280 in 2022. “Suga” went on to knock out Aljamain Sterling to win the bantamweight title at UFC 292 the next year. O’Malley has since defended his title against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March before losing it against Merab Dvalishvili via a lopsided decision at UFC 306 in September.

While Yan is eyeing a rematch against O’Malley, the Russian is worried about the former champ’s lack of activity. Yan jokingly wondered if the gaps of over nine months between O’Malley’s bouts means the former champ is pregnant.

“I would lean towards a rematch with Sean…

Report: Jean Silva to Face Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Event on Feb. 22

Jean Silva (14-2) will take on Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-2) at a UFC event on Feb. 22.

The featherweight matchup was first reported by Ag.Fight. The card doesn’t have an official location but is expected to be held in Seattle.

Silva has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity since making his Octagon debut this past January. The Brazilian is unbeaten since 2018 and earned his contract with a unanimous decision win over Kevin Vallejos on Dana White's Contender Series last year. “Lord” has since racked a three-fight knockout streak, leaving behind Westin Wilson, Charles Jourdain and Drew Dober in his wake. Silva most recently made a two-week turnaround, also moving up to lightweight to earn a doctor-stoppage win over Dober at UFC Denver in July.

Meanwhile, Baghdasaryan is 3-1 since his graduating from the Contender Series in 2020. “The Gun” last fought in July 2023, earning a unanimous decision win over Tucker Lutz that saw him bounce back from a submission loss ag…

‘Mayhem’ Miller Urges Those in Nick Diaz’s Circle to Offer Help: ‘He Needs You Now’

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While the exact reason for Nick Diaz’s withdrawal from UFC 310 is unclear, there has been speculation that the popular fighter isn’t in a good place in his life right now.

That stems primarily from a video that recently appeared on social media, where a shirtless Diaz appears to be attempting to light grass on fire. At the time, Diaz was booked to face Vicente Luque at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at UFC 310. It wasn’t much later that Themba Gorimbo was announced as Diaz’s replacement in the welterweight bout.

Jason Miller is quite familiar with struggles outside the cage. The fighter known as “Mayhem” has run afoul of the law on numerous occasions, most recently in August 2023 for allegedly choking a fan. Shortly after that incident, Miller released a statement on Instagram addressing his troubles and how for a long time, it was difficult to ask anyone for help.

Miller seems to be doing better now, and he can empathize wi…

Igor da Silva Gets First Fight Since Suspension for Biting UFC Opponent

Igor da Silva is ready to move forward with his mixed martial arts career.

Da Silva, who is also commonly known as Igor Severino, will return to action against Jonas Magard at Oktagon 65 on Dec. 29, the promotion recently announced. It is da Silva’s first bout since he was disqualified for biting opponent Andre Lima in their encounter at UFC on ESPN 53 on March 23. Severino vs. Magard will be contested at bantamweight.

As a result of his actions, the 21-year-old Brazilian was immediately released from his UFC contract. He was later suspended for nine months and fined $2,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. That term will come to an end just a few days prior to his fight against Magard.

Prior to the biting incident, da Silva kicked off his professional career with eight consecutive triumphs. He competed primarily under the Jungle Fight banner before earning a UFC contract with a second-round TKO of Jhonata Silva on Dana White’s Conte…

Kai Kara-France Believes He Can KO UFC 310 Headliners Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura

[embedded content]

Kai Kara-France will be keeping a close watch on the upcoming title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura.

Asakura will make his promotional debut, challenging Pantoja for the flyweight title in the main event at UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Kara-France considers himself to be next in line for title contention and will be keeping a keen eye on the matchup.

Kara-France also believes he has the knockout power to shut the lights out on either Pantoja or Asakura. If Pantoja wins, “Don’t Blink” wants home crowd support to avenge his “Ultimate Fighter 24” loss against the Brazilian in 2016. Meanwhile, if Asakura wins, Kara-France wants to travel to enemy territory to challenge the Japanese flyweight.

“I feel like I could definitely knock out Kai or Pantoja,” Kara-France told Engage. “So that’s why I’ll be tuning in. Let’s say now if Pantoja wins, let’s fight in New Zealand. I’ll headline it, me…

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