Author: Andrew Rogers

Ronda Rousey has teased a possible return to MMA after nearly a decade away, but not everyone believes it would be wise. The former UFC bantamweight champion, who hasn’t fought since back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016, sparked speculation by sharing a training clip on Instagram in September, saying she had rediscovered her “love” for the sport. Her comments reignited talk of a comeback, but UFC veteran Matt Brown urged caution. Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown said that while fans would tune in for her return, the game has…

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has admitted he once considered leaving pro wrestling for a career in MMA, before a UFC legend persuaded him otherwise. Johnson, who stars as former UFC fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming biopic The Smashing Machine, revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience that he was fascinated by the spectacle of Pride events in Japan early in his WWE career. With crowds of up to 30,000 and the promise of big paydays, the young wrestler believed it could be a path worth taking. “I had this thought of Pride because it felt like, ‘Oh, those guys, they’re…

YouTube star IShowSpeed learned the hard way just how dangerous a black belt can be when he sparred UFC strawweight contender Vanessa Demopoulos at the Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Demopoulos, who famously swapped her career as an exotic dancer for life in the Octagon, wasted no time showing her skillset. In the lighthearted session, she submitted Speed three times — first with a triangle choke, then a head-and-arm choke, and finally an arm bar, while also nearly locking up a leg submission before being told to ease off. At one point, Demopoulos even pulled guard while Speed lifted her…

Israel Adesanya has accepted that his long-desired rematch with Sean Strickland is unlikely to happen and says he is ready to face anyone next. The former middleweight champion has endured a difficult run, losing three straight fights since reclaiming his title with a knockout of Alex Pereira. After dropping the belt to Strickland in one of the UFC’s biggest upsets, Adesanya suffered further defeats to Dricus du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov. Despite pushing hard for a second meeting with Strickland, the American ignored Adesanya’s callouts and has been out of action following a suspension for attacking a regional fighter while…

Dominick Reyes says his comeback fight at UFC Perth is nothing short of a miracle after a terrifying battle with deep-vein thrombosis. The American light heavyweight, who faces Carlos Ulberg in Saturday’s main event, revealed that during his illness in 2024, doctors warned him bluntly: “If you wake up today, then good on you. If you don’t, well, then it didn’t work out.” Reyes described living “day to day” in fear for his life but also said the experience brought him closer to God. “I felt His energy. He’s 100% real. I have no question in my mind that this…

Daniel Cormier compared two major combat sports events on September 13 and came away convinced that MMA offers a better spectacle than boxing. That night, boxing took center stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as Terence Crawford moved up two weight classes to defeat Canelo Alvarez in a blockbuster Netflix main event for the undisputed super middleweight title. Widely billed as one of the sport’s biggest matchups in recent memory, Crawford’s victory cemented his legacy among boxing’s all-time greats. But while the bout had star power and high stakes, Cormier found himself more entertained by the UFC’s Noche UFC…

Merab Dvalishvili has recalled a terrifying ordeal from his childhood that nearly cost him his life. The UFC bantamweight champion, who defends his belt against Cory Sandhagen on October 4 at UFC 320 in Las Vegas, opened up in an interview with Daniel Cormier about how, at just six years old, he almost drowned in a river in Georgia. “My brother was swimming in a river, I jumped in to find him, and I couldn’t do the same,” Dvalishvili said. “The water took me into deep water, it was fast. I was under the water, and my other brother saw…

Jimmy Fallon took aim at the UFC’s ambitious White House event during a recent episode of The Tonight Show, mocking the visual renderings released by Dana White. The designs, which hint at a grand spectacle including Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return, were described by Fallon as “ridiculous” while being shown on screen to the audience. The UFC event, still in early planning stages, has already sparked conversation beyond the MMA community, drawing attention from mainstream media and late-night hosts. While fans and fighters await further announcements on fight cards, Dana White has expressed hesitation about including Jon Jones, citing trust issues…

Former Bellator and RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta is making a strong case for a UFC contract after back-to-back victories in Las Vegas over the weekend. At 38, time may be against him, but his recent performances suggest he still has plenty to offer. Archuleta snapped a three-fight losing streak earlier this year with a flying knee knockout at BORROKA 3, and this weekend, he followed it up by submitting former UFC fighter Jose Johnson with a second-round rear-naked choke. Johnson, standing at 6’0″, is the tallest fighter in UFC flyweight history, making Archuleta’s victory all the more impressive. This…

Charles Oliveira’s anticipated return to Brazil at UFC Rio on October 11 is now uncertain after Rafael Fiziev withdrew from their main event due to injury. Fans had been excited to see ‘Do Bronx’ back in front of his home crowd for the first time in over five years, but the sudden change has left Oliveira without an opponent. Several lightweight contenders have expressed interest in stepping in. Mateusz Gamrot, ranked #8, offered to face Oliveira, while Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint-Denis also signaled their readiness for a quick turnaround. UFC matchmakers are reportedly working to secure a suitable replacement…