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Dana White says Islam Makhachev was initially expected to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in January but now wants to return after Ramadan next year.

Speaking to reporters after UFC 333 on Saturday, the UFC CEO explained the decision to book Carlos Prates against Michael Morales for an interim title and criticized Makhachev’s activity.

Dana White says Islam Makhachev's post-Ramadan return prompted Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales at UFC 336Prates and Morales will meet at UFC 336 on Jan. 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The winner is expected to face Makhachev in a title unification bout, potentially next summer.

White said Makhachev’s change of plans prompted the promotion to introduce an interim championship.

“On average, Islam fights like once a year, and he was slated for January and then said, ‘I don't want to fight until after Ramadan,’” White said. “You just can't hold up divisions like this. You got to keep moving. …

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said his earlier remarks about fighters leaving the promotion were not directed specifically at Farid Basharat, whose contract was not renewed.

Speaking during UFC 333 postfight press conference, White addressed the unbeaten bantamweight’s response to comments he made after UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17.

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Dana White clarifies UFC contract remarks after Farid Basharat's response

Basharat disputed suggestions that he had turned down fights or been difficult to work with. White said he had been discussing contract decisions generally.

“When I was talking about why some guys get released, or their contracts don't get renewed, I was just saying in general. I wasn't pointing him out, specifically,” White said.

White’s earlier remarks had suggested that decisions not to retain fighters could involve factors beyond their results inside the Octagon.

He said he had seen Basharat’s response on Instagram and…

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said he offered Shakur Stevenson his release from Zuffa Boxing, ending their partnership before the boxer competed for the promotion.

Speaking at the UFC 333 postfight news conference, White distinguished Stevenson’s situation from those of UFC fighters seeking to leave their contracts.

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Dana White cites Shakur Stevenson's brief Zuffa Boxing tenure when asked about UFC fighter contracts Asked whether Stevenson had been difficult to work with, White declined to criticize the boxer or his representatives.

“Listen, man. I think that everybody's involved. They're happy, you know, with where we're at with it. I have nothing bad to say about him or his team, but I offered him the release, and they accepted.”

Stevenson’s departure also prompted a question about why he could leave while UFC fighters seeking releases remained under contract. White pointed to the brief nature of their business relationship.<…

For Alexander Volkanovski, overcoming adversity means more than championship gold.

Volkanovski (29-4) stopped previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev (20-1) at 4:54 of the second round Saturday to retain the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title. The Australian champion said he was ill entering the fight but delivered a bonus-winning finish to hand Evloev his first professional defeat.

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Alexander Volkanovski explains illness before stopping unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 Volkanovski recorded his seventh successful title defense across two reigns in the UFC 333 headliner. Afterward, “The Great” emphasized that while he appreciates being a champion, overcoming challenges means more to him.

“It feels good,” Volkanovski said in a postfight interview. “Again, I don't really care about this, like I really don't. I just care about, again, overcoming challenges. A guy who was undefeated in front of me, to overcome that and beat him… And again, ge…

Petr Yan overcame Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling pressure to retain the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title at UFC 333.

Yan (21-5) defeated Dvalishvili (21-6) by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with all three judges scoring it 48-47 for the champion. Dvalishvili outworked Yan in the first two rounds before “No Mercy” turned the tide over the final three.

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Petr Yan explains how takedown defense turned UFC 333 trilogy against Merab Dvalishvili Dvalishvili dominated their first meeting in 2023, outwrestling Yan en route to a one-sided decision victory. Yan avenged that defeat last December, winning a unanimous decision to dethrone “The Machine.” Having shared the Octagon for 50 minutes before UFC 333, Yan knew what to expect in the rubber match.

Yan said he anticipated Dvalishvili trying to overwhelm him with wrestling pressure, as the former champion had in their first encounter.…

Arman Tsarukyan is no longer considering a move to featherweight.Arman Tsarukyan rejects Movsar Evloev matchup while pursuing UFC lightweight title shot Tsarukyan (24-3) is a leading contender for the next UFC lightweight title shot. Before challenging Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, Movsar Evloev expressed interest in a potential matchup with Tsarukyan, provided the lightweight contender moved down to 145 pounds.

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However, Tsarukyan said Evloev first needed to win the featherweight championship and ruled out changing divisions. “The Batman” addressed the possibility at the RAF 14 postmatch press conference following his victory over Dillon Danis:

“First of all he gotta win the title, and I am not going down to 145 lbs.”

Evloev subsequently lost to Volkanovski by second-round technical knockout.

Tsarukyan has been pursuing another title opportunity since withdrawing from his scheduled bout against Islam Makhachev in J…

Referee Marc Goddard is making fighters pay for fouls.

Goddard refereed the lightweight preliminary bout between Nurullo Aliev and Grant Dawson at UFC 333 on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Nurullo Aliev penalized for back-of-head strikes against Grant Dawson at UFC 333After dropping Dawson in the first round, Aliev landed several shots to the back of his opponent’s head. Goddard stopped the action and deducted a point, saying he had already issued warnings. Dawson rallied behind relentless pressure and ground work to earn a unanimous decision, handing Aliev his first professional defeat.

Goddard also deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan for an eye poke against Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 122 on Oct. 10. The referee later explained that he had warned Duncan about his outstretched fingers before penalizing him in the second round. Allen ultimately submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the fifth.

Marc Goddard IMMEDIATELY …

FOR THE INTERIM WELTERWEIGHT BELT 🏆 @thenightmare170 vs. @michaellmma [ #UFC336 | Jan 30 on@paramountplus ] https://t.co/PMzu9hrTa0

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 24, 2026

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will square off for the Ultimate Fighting Championship interim welterweight title at UFC 336.

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The matchup gives both contenders an opportunity to capture UFC gold while undisputed champion Islam Makhachev is unavailable to compete in January. Prates, a Brazilian knockout artist, will face Morales, an undefeated Ecuadorian who has won all seven of his UFC appearances.Prates & Morales Will Fight for UFC Gold While Makhachev Holds Belt Prates (24-7) has won three consecutive fights by knockout or technical knockout and has finished all seven of his UFC victories. Morales (19-0) will look to preserve his unbeaten record, with the winner expected to face Makhachev in a title unification bout. Respondin…

A title fight for the ages! [ #UFC333 | LIVE on @paramountplus ] https://t.co/AEHsOuyyYZ

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 24, 2026 The Ultimate Fighting Championship's latest trip to Abu Dhabi saw four fighters earn $100,000 performance bonuses, including two titleholders.

In an obvious move, UFC 333 both co-main event fighters took home "Fight of the Night" honors. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili went back-and-forth over 25 minutes, with "No Mercy" eking out the final three rounds to retain. While the title loss hurts "The Machine," getting an extra $100,000 will help ease that frustration.

Alexander Volkanovski also earned a performance bonus for his main-event win. "The Great" lived up to his nickname by handing Movsar Evloev his first career defeat. In the second round, Volkanovski hurt Evloev on the feet and teed off with punches to secure a late second-round stoppage. It doesn't seem like it will be the last fight for …

VOLK HAS DONE IT HE REMAINS THE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMP [ #UFC333 | LIVE on @paramountplus ] https://t.co/21n4C8tSTL

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 24, 2026

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski lived up to his nickname: “The Great.”

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Volkanovski defended his 145-pound title by stopping previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the main event of UFC 333 on Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Volkanovski (29-4) staggered his challenger with punches during an exchange near the fence and immediately pressed his advantage.Petr Yan beats Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 333 trilogy as both champions retain titles Volkanovski swarmed Evloev (20-1) with punches, continuing his attack as the Russian dropped to his hands and knees. Referee Marc Goddard intervened at 4:54 of the second round.

The highly anticipated rubber match between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili delive…

Sherdog's live UFC 333 “Volkanovski vs. Evloev” coverage will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. Round 1 Women’s strawweights light the fuse for UFC 333 at Etihad Arena, where an overweight Caliari (9-4, 1-2 UFC) awaits Lucindo (18-6, 5-2 UFC) inside the 115-pound weight class. Lukasz Bosacki adjudicates matters. They touch gloves and get down to business. Lucindo switches stances repeatedly, feints and whiffs on a front kick. Hard low kick from Caliari. Lucindo answers with one of her own, then catches her fellow Brazilian with a left hook. Caliari clinches, and they trade knees along the fence. Lucindo turns her into the fence and drags her to the mat. Caliari, bleeding from a cut near her right eye, makes a pass at a leglock. Lucindo powers into top position and moves to half guard. Caliari sweeps and stands, only to be taken down again. Lucindo back in half guard with two minutes to go in the round. Heavy top pressure from Lucindo, who drops a few elbows. She flirts with an a…

Cody East plans to spoil the retirement party for Ike LIVE OCT 23 at 7 PM CT | 🎟️ Get tickets at https://t.co/GBzGgysTnE https://t.co/7AXsRdV6X6

— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) October 22, 2026

Cody “Freight Train” East expects an explosive encounter when he faces Ike Villanueva at BKB Bally’s Fightnight in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the veteran mixed martial artist-turned-bare-knuckle boxer does not anticipate needing all five rounds to settle the contest.

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“I can knock him out. My goal is to stop him. We're two big boys fighting bare-knuckle. I don't see it going five rounds.”

East, a 6-foot-3 fighter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to compete at 225 pounds. The 38-year-old brings two decades of combat sports experience into the matchup, along with a training camp he says has left him stronger, better conditioned and more comfortable with his weight.

His opponent, Villanueva, is another exper…

PFL AFRICA IS BACK IN KIGALI! 🇷🇼🔥 Dec 12 | BK Arena | 2026 Season Finals 🥊 WELTERWEIGHT: 🇦🇴 Shido Esperança vs 🇳🇬 David Samuel 🥊 LIGHTWEIGHT: 🇳🇬 Patrick Ocheme vs 🇸🇳 Demba Seck 🥊 BANTAMWEIGHT: 🇱🇷 Dwight Joseph vs 🇳🇬 Raphael Uchegbu 💰 $100K per division 🔥 Kigali Fight Week + 12 days of activations at Zaria Court! 🎟️Secure your seats now on TiCQet: https://t.co/oXiHGhKLe2 #PFLRwanda| Saturday, December 12 | BK Arena | Kigali, Rwanda 🎟️https://t.co/oXiHGhKLe2

— PFL Africa (@PFLAfrica) October 22, 2026

The Professional Fighters League will crown three PFL Africa tournament champions Dec. 12 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with title fights scheduled in the welterweight, lightweight and bantamweight divisions.

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Shido Boris Esperanca vs. David Samuel headlines PFL Africa 2026 Finals in Rwanda Angola's Shido Boris Esperanca (13-2) will face undefeated Nigerian David Samuel (7-0) in the 170-pound welterweight final, which …

No one has more wins in the Trigon than Cub Hawkins 😤 Cub is looking for another this Saturday. Watch BKB 56 at The NOVO in Los Angeles 🎟️ Get your tickets at https://t.co/644ThInv0h #BKB56 #BKB #BareKnuckle https://t.co/JdK4KaXNn4

— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) July 15, 2026

Cub Hawkins has more wins inside BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing’s Trigon than any other fighter. The 28-year-old Chicago native, one of 13 children, has captured championships at 175 and 185 pounds, most recently beating Professional Fighters League and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Jesse Ronson.

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Hawkins, nicknamed The Savage, holds a bare-knuckle boxing record of 10-1, with nine victories by knockout or technical knockout.Cub Hawkins discusses Rowdy Legend Montgomery matchup and his usual training approach for BKB Biloxi His next challenge is Rowdy Legend Montgomery. At 6-foot-2, Montgomery has a 6-inch height advantage over the …

Nothing new for The Champ 👑 @AlexVolkanovski weighs in at 144.5 lbs! @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi [ #UFC333 | LIVE OCT 24 at 2pmET on @ParamountPlus ] https://t.co/JsoLPWZSAt

— UFC (@ufc) October 23, 2026 Two Ultimate Fighting Championship title fights are now official following the UFC 333 weigh-ins.

The UFC pay-per-view, which takes place in Abu Dhabi, is headlined by a featherweight championship bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev. Both men made weight, as did the co-main event rematch between champion Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, who are fighting for a third time. All other fighters also made weight, with the exception of Nicolle Caliari, who came in 4.5 pounds overweight for her strawweight fight against Iasmin Lucindo. The fight will move forward with Caliari being fined a percentage of her purse.

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Alexander Volkanovski looks to add another title defense to his impressive legacy i…

Fight night here we come 🔜 LIVE OCT 23 at 7 PM CT | 🎟️ Get tickets at https://t.co/GBzGgysTnE https://t.co/HrDtfD0SrY

— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) October 23, 2026

Former BKB lightweight world champion Jarod "Kid Gatti" Grant and Pantera Guerrero made weight Thursday ahead of their super lightweight main event Friday at Bally's Fightnight by BKB at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi.

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Grant weighed 140.3 pounds, while Guerrero tipped the scales at 139.8 pounds.

Grant is seeking a victory that could move him closer to another world title opportunity.

"My goal is to get back into the title picture, and that starts with an impressive win on Friday night," Grant said.

Cub Hawkins and Rowdy Montgomery make weight for BKB Biloxi co-main event In the middleweight co-main event, reigning BKB light heavyweight world champion Cub "The Savage" Hawkins drops down a division to face undefeated Rowdy Mo…

Farmasi Arena, which has hosted numerous UFC events in Rio de Janeiro, will welcome ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13. The Russian promotion unveiled the lineup Wednesday, featuring several prominent names from grappling and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In the main event, Rousimar Palhares will face Andre Galvao in a rematch of their 2011 ADCC under-88-kilogram final, which Galvao won 9-4 in Nottingham, England. This time, the two will compete at 100 kilograms under combat jiu-jitsu rules.

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In the co-main event, UFC middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira will meet at 88 kilograms under grappling rules. Another UFC veteran expected to appear on the card, though not yet officially announced, is Edson Barboza, according to information obtained by Sherdog.Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao revisit 2011 ADCC final under combat jiu-jitsu rules at ACBJJ 23The rematch between Galvao and Palhares brings together two accomplished Brazilian grapplers. Palhar…

Former IBF featherweight world champion Lee "Lightning" Selby will face undefeated Ollie "The Death" Sentance in the super lightweight main event of BKB 61 on Nov. 14 at indigo at The O2 in London.

Selby (1-0, 1 KO) returns to bare-knuckle competition against Sentance (2-0, 2 KOs), who has recorded knockouts in both professional bare-knuckle appearances.

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Lee Selby faces unbeaten Ollie Sentance as Marko Martinjak defends BKB title against Matty Askin The co-main event features BKB bridgerweight world champion Marko "Marvelous" Martinjak (13-2, 13 KOs) defending his title against former British cruiserweight boxing champion Matty "The Assassin" Askin (1-0, 1 KO).

Two welterweight bouts also highlight the card. Undefeated Ashley "Bash" Devenport (3-0, 1 KO) meets Kallum Skhane (2-3, 2 KOs), while Aaron "The Baron" McCallum (9-6-1, 7 KOs) faces Simey "The Smoke from Stoke" Doherty (10-2-1, 3 KOs) in a rematch.

Additional main-card bouts include Da…

Merab Dvalishvili is eager to reclaim the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title.

The former champion will challenge Petr Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He’s looking to avenge his December 2025 loss to the Russian and recapture the 135-pound championship.

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Merab Dvalishvili aims to reclaim UFC bantamweight title in Petr Yan trilogy at UFC 333 Dvalishvili was attempting his fourth successful title defense of 2025 when he lost his rematch with Yan. “The Machine” says he feels healthy and refreshed ahead of their third meeting.

“I’m really hungry now this time,” Dvalishvili said in a prefight interview. “My body is fine, and I’m good… Even when I was busy, I never complained because I’m a fighter and even if something bothers me, I’m gonna show up and I’m gonna fight.”

Both previous meetings ended in unanimous decisions, with Dvalishvili dominating their first encounter in 2023 and Yan winnin…

Virna Jandiroba expects a high-level grappling battle against Tatiana Suarez.

The two Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweights are scheduled to meet at UFC Vegas 124 on Nov. 7. Jandiroba hopes to build a winning streak and return to title contention, targeting a third meeting with reigning 115-pound champion Mackenzie Dern.

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Virna Jandiroba calls Tatiana Suarez grappling matchup a 'clash of titans' ahead of UFC Vegas 124 Jandiroba (23-4) said she has completed two training camps in preparation for Suarez (12-1).

Suarez’s wrestling presents a compelling test for Jandiroba’s jiu-jitsu. The Brazilian believes their contrasting grappling backgrounds could produce a memorable matchup.

“I was part of the previous training camp with Demian [Maia], who faced some great wrestlers throughout his career, and he gave me some valuable insights. I usually say it will be a clash of titans,” Jandiroba told Sherdog.

Jandiroba lost to Dern by unanimou…

Further reporting has shed light on the operation during which Tim Kennedy was wounded in a Sept. 17 ambush in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to MMA Weekly, sources close to the Congolese government said the former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight and his fellow contractors were assigned to a ground-clearing operation. Their work was linked to broader efforts to protect mining revenue, combat smuggling and collect taxes for the government.

New report details Vectus Global's Congo operation that left Tim Kennedy wounded and Justin Conaglen deadKennedy reportedly was part of a three-man contractor team alongside former New Zealand Special Air Service member Justin Conaglen and an unidentified contractor. The ambush in South Kivu province left about 20 people dead or wounded, according to sources cited by Reuters.

Conaglen was killed, while Kennedy and the third contractor were wounded. Kennedy reportedly sustained three gunshot wounds to a le…

Islam Dulatov reportedly has his second Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance booked.

According to Marcel Dorff, the German welterweight will face Levan Chokheli at UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5. Dulatov was scheduled to face Wellington Turman in July, but the bout was canceled after Dulatov fell ill.

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Levan Chokheli reportedly faces Islam Dulatov at UFC Saudi Arabia after 23-second debut win Dulatov (12-1) earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. He knocked out Adam Fugitt in his promotional debut in July 2025, dropping the American with a left hook before finishing him with follow-up punches at 4:06 of the first round.

Chokheli (15-3, 1 NC) also enters the matchup following a first-round stoppage in his UFC debut. The Georgian welterweight needed just 23 seconds to stop Leon Shahbazyan in June.

The promotion has not announced a headliner for UFC Saudi Arabia, though Israel Adesanya vs. Sharabutdin Magomedov has bee…

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their 2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor’s profile and generated considerable financial rewards for both men.

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Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine years after 2017 boxing match Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah, absolutely,” Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD Podcast.” “I don’t live with Conor McGregor, he’s not my friend. I don’t have to see him. It’s just when it’s time for us to do business and lock up, let’s do it.”

Mayweather’s exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul …

Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with Movsar Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele’s decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly. Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it’s always about respect,” Daniele wrote on X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love learning about cultures and I’m so grateful for the UFC for givi…