Tag: MMA News

UFC Star Shavkat Rakhmonov Explains Why He Declined Welterweight Title Fight Against Belal Muhammad

UFC star Shavkat Rakhmonov Explains Why He Declined Welterweight Title Match Against Belal MuhammadShavkat Rakhmonov revealed why he won’t be the first fighter to challenge Belal Muhammad for the UFC welterweight world…

UFC star Shavkat Rakhmonov Explains Why He Declined Welterweight Title Match Against Belal Muhammad

Shavkat Rakhmonov revealed why he won’t be the first fighter to challenge Belal Muhammad for the UFC welterweight world title.

On Wednesday, Dana White dropped a series of big-fight bombshells on social media, including the reveal that Muhammad would be putting his 170-pound title on the line for the very first time on Saturday, May 10 when the promotion heads back to the Bell Centre in Montreal for UFC 315.

There, ‘Remember The Name’ will square off with the No. 4 ranked contender, Jack Della Maddalena.

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The news came as a bit of a shock to fight fans as everyone expected Shavkat Rakhmonov to be first up for Muhammad. In fact, ‘Nomad’ was even scheduled to challenge the champ in December, but Muhammad suffered an injury that forced him to bow out of the bout.

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals why he’s not fighting Muhammad at UFC 315

As it turns out, Rakhmonov was offered the spot in May, but an injury forced him to turn it down.

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“Big thanks to the UFC for offering me the shot at the belt first,” Rakhmonov wrote on X. “Unfortunately, due to injury, I won’t be ready for May. I’ll be facing the winner later this year.”

Fortunately, it sounds like the UFC isn’t giving Rakhmanov the Arman Tsarukyan treatment. But considering that ‘Nomad’ stayed on UFC 310 despite suffering a serious pre-fight knee injury, they do kinda owe him the opportunity.

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It’s unclear if it’s the same injury that’s keeping Rakhmonov off of UFC 315, but depending on the severity of an MCL injury, it could take a few weeks to several months to fully heal.

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UFC Featherweight Says Ilia Topuria Won’t Last at Lightweight, Will Be Back to 145 in Late 2025

UFC Featherweight Says Ilia Topuria Won't Last at Lightweight, Will Be Back to 145 in Late 2025Not everyone is convinced that Ilia Topuria’s voyage into the lightweight division will last. On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana…

UFC Featherweight Says Ilia Topuria Won't Last at Lightweight, Will Be Back to 145 in Late 2025

Not everyone is convinced that Ilia Topuria’s voyage into the lightweight division will last.

On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Topuria had officially vacated his featherweight title and would be moving up to 155, presumably for a future fight with the division’s reigning champion, Islam Makhachev. As a result, former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski will meet surging contender Diego Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacated 145-pound strap when the promotion heads back to Miami on Saturday, April 12.

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However, not everyone is convinced that Topuria’s move up will be permanent. Reacting to the news on social media, tenth-ranked featherweight contender Lerone Murphy suggested that ‘El Matador’ will be back at 145 by the end of 2025.

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“Also Topuria will be back at featherweight at the end of the year I think,” Murphy wrote on X.

Does Ilia Topuria stand a chance against Islam makhachev?

Of course, all of that rides on how Topuria does when he inevitably steps inside the Octagon against Islam Makhachev.

No official details have been released as far as when or where that fight will go down, but Ariel Helwani said that the UFC could try to deliver on the highly anticipated showdown as early as International Fight Week in late June.

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Topuria and Makhachev are without a doubt two of the most skilled fighters in the UFC today, but there’s no denying that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will have a massive size advantage. Many would also argue that Makhachev will have a decided advantage on the mat while Topuria may be a bit more foreboding on the feet than Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege.

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Still, Makhachev has proven himself to be more than capable of KO’ing some of the biggest names in the game, including Alexander Volkanovski—the same man Topuria beat to claim the featherweight title in February 2024.

Joshua Pacio Punches Out Jarred Brooks in Round 2 to Retain Title – ONE 171 Results

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks 3 ONE 171 Results. Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks headlined ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in a trilogy bout…

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks 3 ONE 171 Results

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Joshua Pacio and Jarred Brooks headlined ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in a trilogy bout to unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship. The fight took place at the Lusail Sports Arena and marked the culmination of a heated rivalry between the two elite strawweights.

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Joshua Pacio, the reigning champion from the Philippines, entered the bout well-known for his dynamic striking and well-rounded skill set. Pacio sought to defend his title and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest strawweights in ONE Championship history. He previously regained his belt in March 2024 after Brooks was disqualified for an illegal slam during their rematch.

Joshua Pacio vs. Jarred Brooks ONE 171 Results

Jarred Brooks, the American interim champion, came into the fight with a renowned background in wrestling. Brooks had claimed the interim title with a decisive victory over Gustavo Balart in August 2024. This trilogy bout at ONE 171 offered him a chance to reclaim undisputed status in the division after losing to Pacio under controversial circumstances.

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The stakes were high as both fighters aimed to settle their rivalry once and for all. Their first meeting in December 2022 saw Brooks win via unanimous decision. In a rematch, Brooks lost the title due to an illegal slam. Now the two face off in a trilogy showdown with the world title on the line.

The US-born Brook quickly earned a takedown and advanced to side control. From there, he began landing ground and pound then began looking for an arm triangle submission which Pacio used to get back to his feet and secure a takedown of his own but Brooks slipped in a guillotine choke. Both men survive to fight in the next round.

Pacio caught a body kick from Brooks and landed a straight which knocked down the interim champion while he was on one leg. From top position in full guard, the Filipino-born Pacio began attacking with ground and pound to the body and head. With a flurry of punches, Pacio was able to defeat Brooks via TKO in the second round at 4:22.

Roberto Soldic Leaves Guseyn Arslanaliev Stiff with First Round Knockout – ONE 171 Results

Roberto Soldic Leaves Guseyn Arslanaliev Stiff with First Round Knockout - ONE 171 ResultsRoberto Soldic and Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev were set to face off in a highly anticipated welterweight bout at ONE…

Roberto Soldic Leaves Guseyn Arslanaliev Stiff with First Round Knockout - ONE 171 Results

Roberto Soldic and Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev were set to face off in a highly anticipated welterweight bout at ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Lusail Sports Arena. The match was crucial for both fighters as they sought to rebound from recent setbacks in their careers.

Roberto Soldic vs. Guseyn Arslanaliev Results

Former KSW Champion ‘Robocop‘ Roberto Soldic was looking to secure his first victory in ONE Championship after a disappointing no-contest in his debut and a subsequent knockout loss.

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Guseyn Arslanaliev, of Turkey, was known for his relentless finishing ability, Arslanaliev had won all of his MMA bouts in ONE Championship via stoppage.

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The matchup promised to be an explosive encounter, with both fighters known for their aggressive styles. Soldic, in particular, was eager to showcase the skills that had made him a dominant force in European MMA before joining ONE Championship.

Arslanaliev attacked the openside with a series of head kicks and overhand punches to open the fight. The southpaw Soldic landed a rear-side cross that flatlined his opponent. Arslanaliev went stiff as Roberto Soldic won by first-round knockout at 1:55.

Roberto Soldic vs. Guseyn Arslanaliev Results

Shamil Erdogan Finishes Aung La N Sang Quickly With a Head Kick Knockout – ONE 171 Results

Shamil Erdogan Finishes Aung La N Sang Quickly With a Head Kick Knockout - ONE 171 ResultsThe middleweight rematch between Aung La N Sang and Shamil Erdogan at ONE 171: Qatar was one of the…

Shamil Erdogan Finishes Aung La N Sang Quickly With a Head Kick Knockout - ONE 171 Results

The middleweight rematch between Aung La N Sang and Shamil Erdogan at ONE 171: Qatar was one of the most anticipated bouts on the card. Taking place on February 20, 2025, at the Lusail Sports Arena, this high-stakes encounter featured a clash between a legendary veteran and an undefeated rising star.

Shamil Erdogan vs. Aung La N Sang Results

“The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang entered the fight determined to avenge his previous loss to Erdogan at ONE 168 in Denver. The former two-division ONE World Champion had been on a three-fight winning streak before suffering a second-round TKO defeat to Erdogan in September 2024.

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At 39 years old and nearing the twilight of his career, Aung La viewed this rematch as a critical opportunity to prove that he could still compete at the highest level. Training with elite wrestlers at Kill Cliff FC, he worked tirelessly to address the grappling deficiencies that Erdogan exploited in their first meeting.

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Shamil Erdogan, undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record, came into the fight as one of the middleweight division’s most feared competitors. The Turkish-Dagestani wrestler had made an immediate impact in ONE Championship with dominant victories, including his win over Aung La in their first encounter. Known for his elite wrestling and powerful striking, Erdogan sought to solidify his position as the top contender by defeating Aung La once again.

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Aung La was aiming for a knockout early throwing rear-side power punches and head kicks at his opponent. He ducked low and dodged right into a brutal head kick from Shamil Erdogan. Erdogan wins the bout quickly with a head kick knockout in round 1 at 0:28.

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling ‘Show off those girly things’

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling 'Show off those girly things'Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon….

Exclusive | MMA Fighter Veronika Smolkova Discusses Title Wins and Nude Modelling 'Show off those girly things'

Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon. The Slovakian athlete has made a name for herself with her aggressive striking and finishing ability, and a victory in her upcoming fight could put her in line for a championship shot.

Veronika Smolkova

Speaking ahead of her fight, Smolkova expressed confidence in her preparation and reaffirmed her goal of securing a title. “I win this fight, and the belt is next,” she said. “I will do everything in my power to get it and defend it.”

“My dream is to do what I love, inspire others, and, along the way, maintain my joy, my happiness, and, most importantly, my health. I also see myself with titles—that’s a given.”

In addition to her fighting career, Veronika Smolkova has also gained attention outside the cage for her nude modeling. While some fighters prefer to keep their public image strictly focused on competition, Smolkova embraces both sides of her persona. She explained:

“After all, even though I’m a fighter, I’m also still a girl—a woman—and I like to show off those girly things. Even though it’s not too much, I still like to feel sexy and that kind of stuff, even alongside the sport … I am feminine, and I’m very sensitive. When I go to training, I have that sensitivity and those emotions—anger and other emotions you could call “bad” emotions, but also the ones that make you like an animal. I leave all of that at the gym and get it all out there. Then, after training, I can embrace my other emotions—my more feminine and sensitive side.”

Veronika Smolkova’s openness about balancing athletics and femininity has echoed with fans, particularly as more female fighters challenge traditional expectations in combat sports. At Oktagon 67, on February 22, she will be facing the top-ranked Aitana Álvarez.

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“The message I’d like to send is to love yourself and not be afraid to be yourself. Even show off those quirks and unique things about you. Just express yourself in the most loving way toward yourself, and I feel absolutely honored to be able to show that to the younger generation of fighters—especially female fighters coming up.”

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With a crucial fight ahead and a growing profile beyond MMA, Veronika Smolkova remains focused on both her professional goals and personal expression. If she secures a victory, a title fight could be next, another step in her rising career.