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Jean Silva is confident his teammate will become the next Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion.

Carlos Prates is expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 170-pound title next year. His teammate Silva predicts a knockout victory for the Brazilian.

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Jean Silva says Carlos Prates' knockout power makes him a dangerous opponent for Islam Makhachev Despite Makhachev’s wrestling prowess, Silva pointed to his willingness to trade strikes with Ian Garry in his last title defense. He believes the Russian cannot afford to do the same against Prates, whose UFC victories have all come by knockout or technical knockout.

“[Makhachev] stood to trade with Ian Garry because Ian Garry doesn’t have the kind of knockout power that Prates does,” Silva told MMA Fighting. “He’s not going to stand and trade with Prates. That’s a huge advantage for Carlos Prates, because he knows that the moment he lands his hand, the fight is over. It’s five rounds. I d…

Daniel Cormier hopes a disagreement with fellow former Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division titleholder Alex Pereira won’t damage their friendship.

Pereira (13-4) is scheduled to fight Sergei Pavlovich (21-3) at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Josh Hokit (10-0) will challenge Ciryl Gane (14-2) for the heavyweight title at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Pereira accused Cormier of promoting Gane vs. Hokit at the UFC’s direction, prompting a response from “DC.”

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Daniel Cormier denies UFC instructions to promote Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit and clarifies Alex Pereira GOAT conversation Pereira believes he deserved a title rematch against Gane despite being stopped by the Frenchman at UFC Freedom 250 in June. “Poatan” accused Cormier of helping build support for Gane vs. Hokit before the matchup was announced. Cormier denied that the UFC had instructed him to promote it.

“Alex Pereira and I have…

Dana White’s Contender Series concluded Season 10 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Four fighters earned Ultimate Fighting Championship contracts on Week 10 to close out the season.

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Smilla Sundell joins Gregory Foster, Douglas Lapa and Luis Francischinelli as UFC contract winners; Erick Visconde misses out Gregory Foster (9-1) and Jason Asher (5-1) opened the card with a back-and-forth clash. Each fighter scored a knockdown, and Foster earned a unanimous decision after three rounds.

“Greg, happy birthday to Barbara and hope she gets well soon,” UFC CEO Dana White said. “The pace you set tonight, the shots you landed, the shots you took, you opened the show the way I love the show to be opened. And I’ve never been this excited to see a 34-year-old come into the UFC. Congratulations.”

Douglas Lapa (7-0) faced Davi Cabral (7-1) in a middleweight matchup. Both fighters hurt each other in the opening round before Lapa took control in the secon…

Charles Oliveira is targeting a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title after his next bout.

Oliveira is scheduled to defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While preparing for that matchup, “do Bronxs” has weighed in on the lightweight title picture and the future of reigning champion Justin Gaethje, whom he previously defeated.

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Charles Oliveira sees Arman Tsarukyan as possible vacant-title opponent if Justin Gaethje retires after UFC 335 Oliveira acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Gaethje’s future in an interview with Sherdog. He said the UFC needs to establish whether “The Highlight” intends to defend his title. Gaethje has discussed retirement and a potential bout against Conor McGregor.

“The first step is for the UFC to sit down with Gaethje and find out exactly what he plans to do,” Oliveira told Sherdog’s Marcelo Alonso. “He says he won’t fight this year, but …

Petr Yan welcomes the challenge of Merab Dvalishvili’s pressure.

Yan (20-5) is scheduled to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title against Dvalishvili (21-5) at UFC 333. Having already shared the Octagon with his challenger for 10 rounds, the champion recognizes Dvalishvili’s strengths and is eager to demonstrate his own improvements.

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Petr Yan says 'diamonds are made under pressure' as he prepares for Merab Dvalishvili trilogy in Abu Dhabi Dvalishvili is known for relentless pressure that often frustrates his opponents. Yan, however, views it as a test of his abilities.

“I cannot really be annoyed with [Merab’s pressure] because it’s part of his game plan,” Yan told Paramount+. “Every MMA fighter has their own game plan. This is his. To keep moving forward, to keep pressuring. But as we know, diamonds are made under pressure. So, we will find out who we really are when that pressure keeps coming at you and see if you are that…

Merab Dvalishvili says he realized early in his rematch against Petr Yan that he was going to lose.

Dvalishvili (21-5) defeated Yan (20-5) in their first meeting in 2023 and won the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title in September 2024. The Georgian was a heavy favorite when he defended his belt in their rematch at UFC 323 last December.

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However, Yan thwarted Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts and outstruck him to earn a unanimous decision. Ahead of their trilogy bout, “The Machine” has revisited the rematch, saying he knew as early as the second round that he wasn’t going to win.Merab Dvalishvili explains how Petr Yan's takedown defense changed their UFC 323 rematch ahead of UFC 333 trilogy Yan is scheduled to defend his title against Dvalishvili at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The challenger said a failed takedown in the second round left him doubting his chances of winning their previous encounter.

Once he realiz…

Cris Cyborg (left) faced several disadvantages against Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa. | 📷: PFL MMA

Nearly two months after her 30th mixed martial arts victory, Cris Cyborg considers the circumstances surrounding her Aug. 22 bout with fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in Tampa, Fla., to be "extremely unusual."

Vieira missed weight by more than seven pounds, turning the final fight of Cyborg’s Professional Fighters League contract into a non-title contest.

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Those circumstances now include a positive test for a steroidal substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, according to Mike Mazzulli, director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation.Ketlen Vieira missed weight by more than seven pounds before Cris Cyborg bout; regulator confirms banned steroidal substance in A and B samples Mazzulli told Sherdog.com that analysis of Vieira’s A and B samples from her in-competition collection returned the same adverse analytical findin…

Julianna Pena is returning to competition in a wrestling match.

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight titleholder will face Diana Avsaragova at Real American Freestyle’s Abu Dhabi event on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena. The promotion announced the matchup Monday.

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Julianna Pena to face Diana Avsaragova at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 in first competition since Kayla Harrison defeat Pena hasn’t competed since losing her title to Kayla Harrison in June 2025. Harrison submitted her with a second-round kimura to capture the belt. Pena has served as a color commentator for RAF since the promotion’s launch and will now transition from the broadcast team to the mat.

Avsaragova has competed for Bellator and the Professional Fighters League. She lost by technical fall to reigning middleweight champion Kennedy Blades at RAF 13 in September.

RAF Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a cruiserweight crossover championship match between former UFC…

Jon Jones believes Josh Hokit has a legitimate chance to dethrone Ciryl Gane when the pair meet for the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title at UFC 334.

Gane (14-2) will defend his title against the unbeaten Hokit (10-0) on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Jones, who has shared the Octagon with Gane, discussed the matchup in an interview with The Schmo, saying his compatriot could beat the French champion.

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Jon Jones explains why Ciryl Gane beating Josh Hokit at UFC 334 would also benefit his legacy Jones praised Hokit’s recent UFC performances and coaching team but acknowledged that a Gane victory would bolster his own reputation. “Bones” submitted “Bon Gamin” to win the heavyweight title in 2023.

“Josh looks great right now,” Jones told The Schmo. “He's doing a great job; Obviously, he's coached by some of the best in the world. I've always supported wrestlers and backed wrestlers. So, my prediction is that I believe Hokit…

Salhahuddin Everett plans to keep working as Dana White’s personal runner after earning an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Everett (5-0) secured the contract with a first-round knockout of Ozzy Martin on Week 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10. The 29-year-old has continued reporting for work.

Salhahuddin Everett describes his unusual dual role after DWCS Everett began working security for the UFC before becoming White’s personal runner. He told TMZ Sports he intends to keep the job.

“I've been working,” Everett said. “I worked yesterday and I worked today. I'm at work right now, actually. I love my job, so it's not like I was working so hard to get away from stocking Dana's fridge. Dana's been blessing me in this position, and yeah, some days are stressful, but it's work, you know? I'm a working man; I'm not lazy. I like to be here.”

White had suggested Everett should leave his office job to focus on training after earning the contract.

Jon Jones believes his victory over Stipe Miocic was a fitting conclusion to his fighting career, though he regrets missing the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s White House event.

Jones has not competed since stopping Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. Speaking to The Schmo, “Bones” reflected on that victory and described his absence from UFC Freedom 250 as one of his biggest regrets.

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Jon Jones reflects on Stipe Miocic victory as possible final UFC fight, regrets missing UFC Freedom 250 Jones said his last bout was particularly meaningful because his father and late brother were there, along with then-President-elect Donald Trump. He described beating Miocic, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights, as a career high point.

“I really do believe that was my last moment inside the cage – and it was great,” Jones told The Schmo. “I got to fight, my brother was still alive at the time, my father was there. I got to tell the world that I lo…

Jon Jones believes his protégé, Gable Steveson, will rebound from his first professional MMA defeat.

Sean Sharaf knocked out Steveson in 12 seconds at UFC 331 in September, handing the Olympic wrestling gold medalist his first loss in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Jones discussed Steveson’s response and the adjustments his team plans to make.

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Jon Jones backs Gable Steveson after Sean Sharaf knockout, outlines training adjustments The former two-division UFC champion said Steveson had returned to training. Jones pointed to other accomplished fighters who overcame defeats, expressing confidence that Steveson would do the same.

“Gable's doing great,” Jones said in an interview with The Schmo. “I believe in Gable. I believe in the man and the person that he is. And if you think about it, all the great fighters have had knockouts and losses. I mean, GSP [Georges St. Pierre] vs. Matt Serra – there's just so many examples. He's in the right headspac…

Alex Pereira has responded to Valter Walker after the submission specialist questioned how “Poatan” would fare against Sergei Pavlovich.

Walker has described the former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship champion as a favorable matchup for himself and predicted Pereira would struggle against Pavlovich at UFC 335. Pereira responded by suggesting Walker was afraid to spar with him.

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Alex Pereira offers Valter Walker his last fight purse for a foot submission during proposed Las Vegas sparring session Speaking to Laerte Viana, Pereira challenged Walker to spar in Las Vegas and offered to pay him the equivalent of his most recent fight purse if Walker submitted him with a foot attack.

“I invited him to train with me and he ran off,” Pereira said. “I heard he was scared. He said he wasn't a punching bag. He got scared, and now he wants to hype up something he knows isn't going to happen. I’m not kidding. Whenever he wants. Let’s go to Las Vegas—…

Michael "Venom" Page believes his move to Misfits Boxing will give him greater freedom to express himself after his Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.

Page signed a multiyear, multifight agreement with MF Sports after going 5-1 in the UFC. He concluded his run with a unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev in September, but the promotion opted not to renew his contract.

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Michael Page says Misfits Boxing gives him creative freedom after UFC walkout restrictions and missed big fights Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Page said the agreement came together quickly and would allow him to showcase more of his personality.

“To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly,” Page said. “We kind of didn’t know as recently as three or four days back; it still wasn’t 100% confirmed where we’re going. But yeah, this makes sense. Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I’m a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — a…

Kayla Harrison says recovering from neck surgery left her questioning whether she would ever feel like herself again.

The reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight champion withdrew from her scheduled title defense against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 in January to undergo surgery for herniated discs in her neck. On the “Deep Waters” podcast, Harrison discussed the physical and mental challenges of her recovery.

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Kayla Harrison recalls doubts about feeling like herself again before Amanda Nunes title fight at UFC 334 Harrison described the operation as the most serious of four surgeries she has undergone in the past four years.

“I feel awesome,” Harrison said. “To be honest, it was rough in the beginning. I think more just obviously physically, but mentally. It was such a big surgery and I went ten years without surgery. I had reconstructive knee surgery between my two Olympics and then I went ten years with no surgery. But in the las…

Paulo Costa says he intends to fight before the end of the year, potentially outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Costa is disputing the terms of the final bout on his UFC contract. “Borrachinha” has criticized the promotion for offering five-round fights without additional compensation. The Brazilian wants to complete his contract and has hinted on social media at competing elsewhere.

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Paulo Costa hints at fighting outside UFC while disputing final-bout contract terms Costa (16-4) said he had received no recent update from the UFC but remained determined to compete this year.

“Nothing from the UFC,” Costa wrote on X. “I’m going to fight at an event at the end of the year. I’m in great shape and in my prime. I’m going to do what I love—fight somewhere.”

Costa is coming off victories over Roman Kopylov and previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov. He previously sought an interim light heavyweight title fight while champion Carlos Ulberg rec…

Rolando Dy retained his BKB super welterweight world title with a third-round stoppage of Scott McHugh at BKB 60 on Saturday in Newcastle, England.

Dy (7-1, 6 KOs) overwhelmed the five-time BKB champion after a competitive opening round, dropping McHugh (16-6, 6 KOs) three times in the second. McHugh survived the onslaught, but another knockdown in the third prompted his corner to throw in the towel.

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Rolando Dy retains world title after third-round stoppage of Scott McHugh Dy entered the bout coming off a stoppage victory over former two-division boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi.

Elsewhere on the card, David Winiarski knocked out Geraint Goodridge in the first round, while Brian Hyslop earned a split decision over former boxing world champion Joseph Diaz Jr. Adel Altamimi recovered from two first-round knockdowns to stop Tom Mowbray in the second, and Aaron Ashton rallied to defeat Mark O’Neill by technical knockout.

Mick Kelly stopped …

Brendson Ribeiro used his postfight platform to appeal for help finding his brother, who he said disappeared nearly six months ago.

Ribeiro (18-11, 1 NC) submitted Felipe Franco (11-3) with a guillotine choke at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday, snapping a four-fight losing streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Brazilian became emotional after the victory as he discussed his missing brother.

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Brendson Ribeiro seeks answers about brother missing since April 27 Speaking through an interpreter after the fight, Ribeiro said his brother disappeared April 27 in his hometown in Brazil. He said authorities have yet to provide answers.

“He is my blood brother from my dad's side,” Ribeiro said at the UFC Vegas 122 postfight news conference. “On April 27, in the township that I'm from, the authorities have not said anything. My family has no voice there. As an athlete that has a platform right now, I just want to get it out there for someone to …

Brendan Allen battled a staph infection during fight week before submitting Christian Leroy Duncan in the Ultimate Fighting Championship main event at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday, according to teammate Belal Muhammad.

Former UFC welterweight champion Muhammad said Allen had been dealing with the infection since Tuesday and required antibiotics before competing at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Oct. 10.

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Belal Muhammad details Allen's fight-week illness before Duncan submission Allen (28-7) submitted Duncan (15-3) with a fifth-round rear-naked choke for his fourth consecutive victory. Muhammad said Allen still had five days left on his course of antibiotics after the bout.

“What people don’t know is Brendan was dealing with a staph infection since Tuesday of fight week,” Muhammad wrote on X. “Had to get on antibiotics, still has 5 days left on them, and despite all that adversity, went out there and got the finish. Never complained, never made excuses, jus…

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Thiago Tavares has taken on a new challenge outside the cage.

Tavares (24-11-1) retired from mixed martial arts in 2021 and used some of his career earnings to pursue medical school. The Brazilian is now a practicing physician specializing in neurology and is working on a master's thesis exploring potential markers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in former fighters.

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Thiago Tavares seeks potential CTE markers in former UFC fighters Speaking to Sherdog, Tavares explained that CTE can currently be definitively diagnosed only by examining brain tissue after death. His research aims to explore whether brain wave measurements and artificial intelligence could help identify a reliable marker in living patients.

“Unfortunately, the only way to confirm CTE is through the study of brain tissue (a post-mortem biopsy) in the anatomopathological exam,” Tavares said. “There is still no reliable mar…

Former boxing world champions Victor Ortiz and Paulie Malignaggi are set to meet under the BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing banner.

BKB announced Saturday that Ortiz and Malignaggi will headline BKB 62 on Dec. 5 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The bout will take place inside the promotion’s Trigon ring, with tickets scheduled to go on sale Oct. 12.

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Former boxing world champions Victor Ortiz and Paulie Malignaggi headline BKB 62 Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) is a former WBC welterweight champion who faced Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Berto and Marcos Maidana in traditional boxing. He made his bare-knuckle debut at BKB 56, earning a unanimous decision over Dominic Salcido.

“I’ve been in some of the biggest fights of my career, and now I’m ready for a completely different challenge in the Trigon. Paulie is a former world champion with a lot of experience, but this is bare-knuckle boxing and I’m coming in prepared to fight,” Ortiz said.

Malignaggi (36-8, 7 …

Quillan Salkilld appears to be targeting February 2027 for his return.

Salkilld has won six straight fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. The Australian lightweight hinted at his return timeline on social media, seemingly eyeing the promotion’s upcoming Sydney event.

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Quillan Salkilld targets February after finishing Dariush and Gamrot Salkilld is coming off finishes of Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot. With the UFC scheduled to return to Sydney on Feb. 7, he appears interested in competing on the card.

“Reporting for duty #feb,” Salkilld wrote on X.

The UFC has announced that its Sydney Fight Night will take place at Afterpay Arena. The promotion’s most recent numbered event in Australia was UFC 325 in Sydney on Feb. 1, local time. It also held a Fight Night in Perth in May.

Reporting for duty 🔒 #feb 🎯🤞 https://t.co/5jOEQ5ewoZ

— Quillan Sa…

Malcolm Wellmaker says he gave his all in preparing for his latest bout, which ended in his third straight Ultimate Fighting Championship defeat.

Wellmaker faced Otari Tanzilovi in the main card opener at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. He had moments of success but was stopped in the second round after Tanzilovi landed a head kick and follow-up punches.

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Malcolm Wellmaker reflects on American Top Team camp, Otari Tanzilovi stoppage and UFC future Wellmaker said he suffered no major injuries. His game plan was to close the distance to neutralize Tanzilovi’s kicks, an approach he felt was working early. He also said he moved his family to Florida to prepare at American Top Team.

“The Machine” believes he has improved during his few months at ATT. Although uncertain about his next step, he intends to continue fighting as long as it offers a way to provide for his family.

“First and foremost, I’m healthy, no major injuries, so that’s the biggest ble…

Brendan Allen is critical of his latest performance despite securing a finish and a post-fight bonus.

Allen faced Christian Leroy Duncan in the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight main event at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. He submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

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Nevertheless, he was dissatisfied with his performance.Brendan Allen says he felt slow against Christian Leroy Duncan despite fifth-round submission Allen found success on the ground, while Duncan had the edge in the striking exchanges. After losing a point for an eye poke in the second round, Duncan pressed the attack in the final frame before Allen took him down and secured the finish.

Allen later said he was disappointed despite the victory. He had expected to be quicker and felt he had been slow to react.

“Ultimately, I’m just disappointed in myself,” Allen said on the Paramount+ post-fight show. “Not havin…