Author: Andrew Rogers

Tom Aspinall is preparing to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, but the champion recently admitted there’s one man he’s not sure he could have beaten — Daniel Cormier. The British star, known for his rare blend of speed, size, and skill, said that a prime Cormier’s wrestling would have caused him problems. “DC” remains one of the most respected champions in UFC history, with Olympic-level grappling that few have matched. Still, Aspinall’s well-rounded skill set gives him multiple routes to victory against most heavyweights, past or present. His lateral movement and…

Channing Tatum has opened up about his love for mixed martial arts and his friendship with former UFC fighter Cung Le, whom he met while filming Fighting in 2009. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Tatum recalled being amazed by Le’s fighting style. “Cung’s hilarious. I love him,” Tatum said. “He was doing moves you’d only see in video games. Even back in Strikeforce, he was pulling off things straight out of Tekken.” Tatum said his passion for combat sports started in high school. “We used to pass around tapes of the early UFC days,” he remembered. “The tape would literally just…

Ronda Rousey believes Paddy Pimblett is one of the few modern UFC fighters who truly understands how to become a superstar. Speaking at New York Comic Con, the former bantamweight champion praised Pimblett for embracing both fighting and entertainment — a balance she said is crucial for breaking into mainstream fame. “That’s what I think really matters — that you can make people know who you are,” Rousey told the crowd. “People that don’t know fighting. That’s how you command the entertainer aspect. The one person I think who really realizes that is Paddy Pimblett. And so I really appreciate…

Charles Oliveira’s main event against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio could carry the fingerprints of a familiar rival — Dustin Poirier. Oliveira, the former lightweight champion, headlines in Brazil looking to climb back toward the title he last held in 2021 — when he submitted Poirier at UFC 269. Now, four years later, Poirier may indirectly shape the outcome of Oliveira’s return bout. Gamrot, who trained extensively with “The Diamond,” says he’s been given valuable insight from the former interim champ. “(Poirier) gave me a lot of advice,” Gamrot revealed. “He told me how I need to fight with Charles.…

As UFC Rio approaches, most eyes are on Charles Oliveira — but Montel Jackson may be the fighter who steals the show. The bantamweight contender faces former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a high-stakes matchup that could redefine his career. Here’s why Jackson could emerge as a serious title threat in Brazil. 1. Jackson Has Quietly Built a Dangerous RecordMontel “Quik” Jackson may not yet be a household name, but his résumé speaks for itself. Riding a six-fight win streak, he holds the most knockdowns in the bantamweight division (11) and once recorded an 18-second knockout. His only setback has…

Justin Tafa, the first UFC heavyweight ever to miss weight, says he’s taking a break from fighting after his latest setback. Tafa was forced out of his UFC Perth bout with Louie Sutherland after falling ill during a failed weight cut. “Taking time out of this fight game,” Tafa wrote on Instagram. “The body and mind need time to recover.” The 10-fight UFC veteran revealed he’s had six major surgeries in three years and may never return to competition. “God willing, if I fight again, I’ll be healthier and show my true potential,” he said. “If not, God has another…

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has his sights set on Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez for his comeback fight. Strickland hasn’t fought since February after serving a suspension for a coaching-related brawl but plans to return soon. His six-month ban could be reduced to 4.5 months if he completes anger management classes, clearing the way for an early comeback. “I don’t want Izzy,” Strickland said. “I want Fluffy. Beating him puts me back in title contention.” Hernandez, on an eight-fight win streak, was due for a title eliminator in October before injury forced him out. Strickland believes a win over Hernandez…

Donald Trump has confirmed the UFC’s historic White House event will take place on June 14, 2026. The date coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th Navy anniversary. “We’re going to have a big UFC fight at the White House,” he said. Earlier speculation pointed to a July 4 event, but organizers revealed the show will happen a month earlier. UFC boss Dana White called it “the greatest fight card ever assembled,” though no bouts are confirmed yet. Conor McGregor claims he’s already signed to fight, but White dismissed that. “We haven’t started negotiations,” he clarified. Planning will begin…

Paige VanZant finally broke her silence after her husband, Austin Vanderford, lost at UFC 320. Vanderford entered the fight as the favorite but was submitted by Ramiz Brahimaj in round two. He had started his UFC career strong, winning his debut by second-round finish earlier this year. This time, a brutal head kick opened a deep cut above his eye before Brahimaj locked in a guillotine. VanZant watched from his corner. “There’s beauty in chasing a dream that might break your heart,” she said. “Tonight wasn’t his night, but it was his story — written with courage and passion,” she…

Magomed Ankalaev believes the UFC’s light heavyweight division could soon feature an all-Russian title fight — and he already has a name in mind for a potential future challenger. Ahead of his first title defense against Alex Pereira at UFC 320 in Las Vegas, Ankalaev spoke to Daniel Cormier about the next wave of contenders at 205 pounds. Among them, he singled out Azamat Murzakanov, an undefeated 15-0 contender, as a dangerous but overlooked opponent. “You know, there’s been a little bit of a mess in the light heavyweight division for a while,” Ankalaev said via a translator. “It’s been…