MMA

[JxhDel.]

Great use of his reach by Padilla plus killer instict.

Trey Walters dominated Quinlan with solid boxing skills.

[JxhDel.]

Vieria and Borralho reminding us to never take a BJJ specialist on the ground easily, even when you look like winning

[Baby Face Finster]

The return tonight of one of the UFC's most hated fighters, Henry Cejudo. I've actually grown to like his villain persona. Should be a very entertaining fight.

[Baby Face Finster]

Brutal KO by Aliskerov on Hawes. Straight right on the chin and it's lights out. These Dagestan fighters are a different breed.

[Baby Face Finster]

Porter vs. Smith. Porter gets the stoppage after Smith tires out after 2 minutes.

[Baby Face Finster]

Really good fight between Williams and Bedoya. I really enjoyed that. Best fight of the night so far. Bedoya wa super relaxed in there for his first UFC fight against a powerful puncher.

Williams wins a SD. I thought Bedoya just pulled it out 2 rounds to 1.

[JxhDel.]

Props to Diego Lopes replacing Mitchell, despite the short notice. He never gave up and scared Movsar with some slick BJJ locks.

Talking about BJJ, Kron Gracie looked dreadful. The name and a single style proficiency don't cut it anymore.

[JxhDel.]

Stunning upset by a fast Xan, Andrade looking sloppy lately.

Not an exciting talent and Durinho was tired, but Muhammad needs to face Edwards again, instead of Covington.

[JxhDel.]

Cejudo could have had it, but looked too rusty.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Cejudo could have had it, but looked too rusty.

Literally took years out and came straight into a world title shot.

[Baby Face Finster]

Props to Diego Lopes replacing Mitchell, despite the short notice. He never gave up and scared Movsar with some slick BJJ locks.

Talking about BJJ, Kron Gracie looked dreadful. The name and a single style proficiency don't cut it anymore.

The UFC should cut him. He's simply not very good. Very limited.

[Baby Face Finster]

Cejudo could have had it, but looked too rusty.

Literally took years out and came straight into a world title shot.

Yup. His over-confidence cost him. He should have had a couple of warm up bouts before taking on Sterling.

Here is a funny Cejudo quote after the fight:

Cejudo said he now realizes why Sterling's nickname is "Funkmaster," because of how unique his style is in the cage.

"Aljo was awkward as hell," Cejudo said. "Now I understand the funk. I thought it was his breath or maybe he smelled a little bit."

[JxhDel.]

Props to Diego Lopes replacing Mitchell, despite the short notice. He never gave up and scared Movsar with some slick BJJ locks.

Talking about BJJ, Kron Gracie looked dreadful. The name and a single style proficiency don't cut it anymore.

The UFC should cut him. He's simply not very good. Very limited.

Indeed.

Cejudo always cracking me up a smile, at the end... Funkmaster joke on point

[JxhDel.]

Ian Garry finally getting into the ranking with an original McGregoresque performance. Fun night so far. Johnny Walker showed maturity tonight against Smith.

[JxhDel.]

Jailton Almeida new boogeyman in heavyweight town, impressive BJJ for the category.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou signs with PFL

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has signed an expansive multifight deal with the Professional Fighters League, he and the organization jointly announced Tuesday.

Ngannou (17-3), 36, is expected to make his PFL debut on pay-per-view in 2024 against an opponent to be announced. He is also keen on a professional boxing match, which his new contract with the PFL allows. Ngannou fought out his UFC contract in 2022 to become one of the biggest free agents in MMA history.

"The PFL is excited to announce its groundbreaking strategic partnership with Francis Ngannou, the greatest heavyweight fighter in the world," PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a statement. "Ngannou will anchor the PFL's star-studded PPV Super Fight Division, serve on PFL's Global Athlete Advisory Board and will be a Chairman and equity owner in PFL Africa."

Born in Cameroon and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Ngannou has a long-standing interest in the development of African talent in combat sports and athletics in general. The PFL intends to launch multiple leagues across different continents in the coming years, with PFL Africa expected as soon as 2025. It launched PFL Europe earlier this year.

In January, UFC president Dana White announced the promotion was moving on from Ngannou as its heavyweight champion and would not pursue any further contract negotiations, following more than a year of failed discussions. White said the UFC offered Ngannou a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the company's history.

During that time, Ngannou made it clear in numerous interviews that discussions with the UFC broke down primarily over non-financial issues, including length of contract and universal health care for athletes. Had Ngannou re-signed with the UFC, he was expected to face arguably the greatest fighter of all time in Jon Jones. Jones won Ngannou's vacated title in March by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

Ngannou hasn't fought since he defended his heavyweight title against Gane in January 2022. He was expected to sit out the rest of 2022 regardless of his contract situation, due to a knee injury.

"You have to give a ton of credit to Francis," said Marquel Martin, Ngannou's former manager who still serves in an advisory role and runs a brand management company. "Most fighters couldn't go through what he went through this past year. He understands his value and has been extremely patient to get to this point. Now, not only is he the best heavyweight in the world, but he has a deal that is unmatched and will set him up for life."

Despite Jones' win at UFC 285, Ngannou is virtually universally recognized as the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. He holds notable knockout wins over Stipe Miocic, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Alistair Overeem.

Ngannou was born into extreme poverty and eventually emigrated to Paris, where he began his combat sports career. He fought professionally for only two years before signing with the UFC in 2015.

Over the past two years, Ngannou has expressed interest and been linked to potential boxing matches against the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. But nothing concrete has materialized.

Among the PFL's current heavyweight roster, Ngannou's most likely opponents would include a name like former PFL champion Bruno Cappelozza. The PFL could also pursue another free agent before mid-2024.

[JxhDel.]

Nice stoppages by Ferreira and Buckley, hard to pick one as the best of the night so far. Either Fialho or Johnson will be cut ASAP

[JxhDel.]

Shahbazyan getting foiled once again when he is in crisis.

[JxhDel.]

Impressive win by Dern, displaying some impact in her striking.

[JxhDel.]

Karine Silva is a BJJ force to reckon with in her category.

[JxhDel.]

Veterans Miller and Elliott welcomed newcomers in humiliating fashion.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Baby Face Finster]

Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou signs with PFL

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has signed an expansive multifight deal with the Professional Fighters League, he and the organization jointly announced Tuesday.

Ngannou (17-3), 36, is expected to make his PFL debut on pay-per-view in 2024 against an opponent to be announced. He is also keen on a professional boxing match, which his new contract with the PFL allows. Ngannou fought out his UFC contract in 2022 to become one of the biggest free agents in MMA history.

"The PFL is excited to announce its groundbreaking strategic partnership with Francis Ngannou, the greatest heavyweight fighter in the world," PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a statement. "Ngannou will anchor the PFL's star-studded PPV Super Fight Division, serve on PFL's Global Athlete Advisory Board and will be a Chairman and equity owner in PFL Africa."

Born in Cameroon and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Ngannou has a long-standing interest in the development of African talent in combat sports and athletics in general. The PFL intends to launch multiple leagues across different continents in the coming years, with PFL Africa expected as soon as 2025. It launched PFL Europe earlier this year.

In January, UFC president Dana White announced the promotion was moving on from Ngannou as its heavyweight champion and would not pursue any further contract negotiations, following more than a year of failed discussions. White said the UFC offered Ngannou a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the company's history.

During that time, Ngannou made it clear in numerous interviews that discussions with the UFC broke down primarily over non-financial issues, including length of contract and universal health care for athletes. Had Ngannou re-signed with the UFC, he was expected to face arguably the greatest fighter of all time in Jon Jones. Jones won Ngannou's vacated title in March by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

Ngannou hasn't fought since he defended his heavyweight title against Gane in January 2022. He was expected to sit out the rest of 2022 regardless of his contract situation, due to a knee injury.

"You have to give a ton of credit to Francis," said Marquel Martin, Ngannou's former manager who still serves in an advisory role and runs a brand management company. "Most fighters couldn't go through what he went through this past year. He understands his value and has been extremely patient to get to this point. Now, not only is he the best heavyweight in the world, but he has a deal that is unmatched and will set him up for life."

Despite Jones' win at UFC 285, Ngannou is virtually universally recognized as the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. He holds notable knockout wins over Stipe Miocic, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Alistair Overeem.

Ngannou was born into extreme poverty and eventually emigrated to Paris, where he began his combat sports career. He fought professionally for only two years before signing with the UFC in 2015.

Over the past two years, Ngannou has expressed interest and been linked to potential boxing matches against the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. But nothing concrete has materialized.

Among the PFL's current heavyweight roster, Ngannou's most likely opponents would include a name like former PFL champion Bruno Cappelozza. The PFL could also pursue another free agent before mid-2024.

It's a shame we are not going to see Ngannou against Jones.

[JxhDel.]

Great for Amanda on retiring while she is still at the top, she didn't have nothing to prove anymore. GWOAT for sure and Pena is delusional if she thinks she was dodged, after the beat-up she got last summer.

I like Malott. Oliveira looked marvelous even after his last defeat.

[JxhDel.]

Tsarukyan/Silva was not so predictable, Arman struggled in some parts to impose later in the match. Good wrestling by Sabatini.