Roberto Soldic and Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev were set to face off in a highly anticipated welterweight bout at ONE…
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.
Guseyn Arslanaliev, of Turkey, was known for his relentless finishing ability, Arslanaliev had won all of his MMA bouts in ONE Championship via stoppage.
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.
The middleweight rematch between Aung La N Sang and Shamil Erdogan at ONE 171: Qatar was one of the…
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.
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.
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.
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.
PFFFFF. Shamil Erdogan destroys Aung La Nsang with a massive head kick in the first 30 seconds of R1 #ONE171pic.twitter.com/H9ilqPwEYX
The highly anticipated UFC 313 main event between reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and top contender Magomed Ankalaev…
The highly anticipated UFC 313 main event between reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and top contender Magomed Ankalaev is set to take place on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This marks Pereira’s fourth title defense since moving up to light heavyweight, while Ankalaev seeks to claim UFC gold after a strong run in the division.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – Odds
The betting lines for this fight have been quite close, echoing the competitive nature of the matchup. Initially, Magomed Ankalaev opened as a slight favorite at around -150, but public betting has since evened the odds. As of now, most sportsbooks list both fighters at near pick’em odds, such as -110 or -112 for each. In January 2025, Pereira was listed as a slight underdog at -112 compared to Ankalaev’s -112. By February 2025, the lines had shifted further to reflect near parity, with some sportsbooks favoring Ankalaev marginally at -115 while others favored Alex Pereira at -110. Check out curated picks at http://twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/handicapping/ for expert selections.
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has voiced apprehensions about Pereira’s focus during the critical final weeks of training camp. Cormier emphasized Alex Pereira’s travel schedule, including a trip to Australia to corner Sean Strickland at UFC 312 and attending a Drake concert shortly after. Cormier questioned whether these activities, combined with jet lag and disrupted training routines, could hinder Pereira’s readiness for what many consider his toughest test to date. He stressed that Pereira should be prioritizing preparation.
Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Pereira’s travel and commitments might detract from his ability to fully prepare for Ankalaev. Both legends noted that Ankalaev has been intensely focused and training in Las Vegas, potentially giving him an edge in preparation.
Fans and analysts have noted the unusual number of “curses” associated with him heading into the fight. These so-called curses have become a lighthearted yet widely discussed topic. Pereira is reportedly linked to the infamous Drake Curse, where athletes or teams supported by the rapper often lose their events. ‘Poatan’ visited Drake in a concert recently. Pereira’s recognition as Fighter of the Year has also been labeled a potential jinx, given its history. Pereira graces the cover of the latest UFC video game, which some fans believe could bring misfortune, as previous cover athletes have struggled in their careers shortly after.
Known for his elite striking and knockout power, Alex Pereira has successfully defended his title multiple times with devastating finishes. However, his grappling remains a concern, as he has historically struggled against wrestlers. His striking is amongst the best in MMA history but his grappling ability is largely unknown.
Magomed Ankalaev is a versatile fighter with a strong wrestling base, Ankalaev excels at controlling opponents on the mat or on the feet. His striking is effective but not as explosive as Pereira’s, which could pose a challenge in exchanges.
UFC 313 will be a pivotal moment for both men. Alex Pereira’s elite striking faces Ankalaev’s well-rounded skillset and dominant wrestling. While Pereira is coming off a stellar 2024 with three title defenses, concerns have arisen over his preparation due to extensive travel and external distractions. This is what many consider his toughest challenge yet.
Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon….
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.
“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.”
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.
Former UFC champion and MMA legend Quinton Rampage Jackson recently shared a wild story about a night out that…
Former UFC champion and MMA legend Quinton Rampage Jackson recently shared a wild story about a night out that took an unexpected turn. Speaking candidly, Jackson recalled meeting a woman at a bar, hitting it off, and even exchanging numbers—only to later discover she was an adult film star.
Rampage Jackson And the Adult Film Star
According to Jackson, the night started casually as he and his group, which included his manager Tiki Ghosn, were out socializing and having drinks. At some point, Rampage Jackson and a young lady hit it off and exchanged numbers. Later on, they were hanging out and Tiki seemed to recognize the woman but couldn’t immediately place her. Rampage Jackson, on his podcast, explained:
“I met this hot-ass, uh, chick—she looked Asian or some, and we hit it off and stuff like that. At the end of the night, she gave me a kiss and gave me her phone number… We were chilling and getting drinks later at the bar, and Tiki was like, “I know this girl from somewhere” …
“She was like, “You really don’t know who I am?” I’m like, “Hell no, I don’t know who you are.” She said, “I’m a porn star.” I was like, “Shut the F* up! What’s your name?” She told me her porn name, and I went back and told Tiki . He said, “Yeah!” … Then she got into a conversation where she said she wanted to date me ’cause she was like, “Look, we’ve been having fun.””
That’s when she directly asked Jackson, “You really don’t know who I am?”Jackson admitted he had no idea. That’s when she revealed she was a porn star, a revelation that left Jackson stunned. He immediately asked for her stage name, then went back to confirm the news with Tiki who apparently recognized her right away.
This was revealed in a conversation with MMA fighter Rob McCullough who had married adult film actress Lexxi Tyler.
While Rampage Jackson didn’t disclose the woman’s identity, he mentioned that the conversation eventually turned more personal, with the woman expressing interest in dating him, citing how much fun they had together. The story has since sparked curiosity among fans, leaving many wondering who the mystery adult film star might have been. Fans speculate from Asa Akira to Mia Khalifa and everyone in between.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history, has officially signed with the…
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history, has officially signed with the UFC after his recent release from the PFL. The 37-year-old Brazilian fighter, a three-time Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Lightweight Champion is set to bring his impressive resume and skills to the UFC’s featherweight division.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire Signs with the UFC
Patricio Freire’s move to the UFC follows months of speculation and public calls for his release from the PFL. After Bellator was acquired by the PFL in late 2023, Freire expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of fight opportunities and requested an unconditional release. PFL Chairman Donn Davis confirmed Freire’s release earlier this year, allowing him to explore new opportunities in mixed martial arts’ premier promotions.
Patrício “Pitbull” Freire achieved an extraordinary list of accolades during his tenure in Bellator MMA. He was a three-time Bellator Featherweight World Champion and also held the Bellator Lightweight World Championship, making him the second fighter in the promotion’s history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. In addition, he won the Bellator Season Nine and Season Four Featherweight Tournaments, further solidifying his dominance in the division.
Freire holds numerous records in Bellator, including the most wins in the promotion’s history (24), the most title wins (15), and the most fights (30). In the featherweight division specifically, he has the most wins (23), most knockouts (8), and is tied for the most finishes (13, alongside A.J. McKee). Across all divisions, he is tied with Michael Chandler for the most finishes in Bellator history with 15.
Known for his knockout power, Freire has already set his sights on top-tier competition in the UFC. He has publicly expressed interest in facing fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, and Diego Lopes, signaling his ambition to climb quickly within the division. “I want that belt,” Freire stated during a recent interview, emphasizing his readiness to compete against elite opponents.
UFC President Dana White had previously hinted at interest in signing Freire, acknowledging his status as one of MMA’s most accomplished free agents. With Freire now officially part of the UFC roster, fans eagerly await his debut and potential matchups against some of the sport’s biggest names.
The middleweight rematch between Aung La N Sang and Shamil Erdogan at ONE 171: Qatar was one of the…
The highly anticipated UFC 313 main event between reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and top contender Magomed Ankalaev…
Oktagon MMA fighter Veronika Smolkova is preparing for her next bout with a potential title opportunity on the horizon….
Former UFC champion and MMA legend Quinton Rampage Jackson recently shared a wild story about a night out that…
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator history, has officially signed with the…