Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is set to face Brian Ortega this weekend in Shanghai, determined to prove he remains a title contender at featherweight. It has been more than eight months since Sterling last competed, dropping a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev in December. Despite believing he did enough to win that fight, Sterling has stayed focused on returning to a title path at 145 pounds. His matchup with Ortega, the former title challenger, serves as the co-main event in Shanghai. Sterling sees the fight as the right step toward positioning himself inside the top five, one win away…
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The UFC arrives in Shanghai this Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Arena. Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang headline the 205-pound light heavyweight clash. Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega co-headline at featherweight, promising fireworks in the 145-pound division. The card also features Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight slugfest. Fighters Step on the Scales All 26 fighters must weigh in before the ESPN+ broadcast. UFC allows a one-pound allowance for non-title bouts. The first fighter hits the scale at 9 p.m. ET. Text results will appear shortly afterward, confirming all fighters meet weight requirements. Full Fight Card for…
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen offered a sharp breakdown of Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant win over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. A new middleweight champion emerges Chimaev defeated du Plessis in the Chicago main event to claim the UFC middleweight title. He relied on superior wrestling from start to finish. When the final horn sounded, the result was undeniable. Chimaev had earned the right to call himself champion. While Chimaev impressed, du Plessis left many disappointed. Fans expected more resistance from him. Still, only du Plessis knows what went wrong inside the cage. Many now wonder what a rematch would reveal.…
The UFC secured a $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount+, raising expectations for higher fighter bonuses. Dana White confirmed payouts will increase, but some fighters remain skeptical. Paulo Costa Questions Bonus Boost Former title contender Paulo Costa expressed doubt on Ariel Helwani’s podcast, joking that bonuses might only rise by $500 and a Venom bag. He made it clear he doesn’t see the deal as a major win for fighters. White Promises Bigger Post-Fight Payouts Dana White said the new seven-year agreement, starting in 2026, will expand post-fight bonuses. UFC currently offers two $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses…
Dana White to Meet Trump to Finalize Plans A UFC cage fight is planned at the White House next year to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The announcement came Tuesday from UFC president Dana White, who said he will visit President Donald Trump later this month to finalize arrangements for the event, scheduled for July 4, 2026. White told CBS that Trump personally asked him to organize the event and wants his daughter, Ivanka Trump, involved in the planning. The fight will serve as the grand finale to a year-long celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, which began…
Conor McGregor’s long-teased MMA comeback remains as uncertain as ever. Despite reentering the UFC’s drug-testing pool, his four-year absence, a string of retirement claims, and new political aspirations have many convinced his fighting days are done. Former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was blunt on Club Shay Shay: “It’s over for him. Conor McGregor … he’s trippin’. He made way too much money. … He wants the notoriety of being Conor McGregor without having to be Conor McGregor.” Cormier argued McGregor — who made hundreds of millions from the Floyd Mayweather boxing match, UFC megafights with Khabib Nurmagomedov, and his…
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa shared details about Khamzat Chimaev’s reported security at UFC 319. Costa’s clash with the middleweight champion Paulo Costa has never hidden his dislike for Khamzat Chimaev, who became middleweight champion after dominating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. A fight between them seems unlikely, as other contenders currently rank above Costa in the division. Costa recently impressed with a win over Roman Kopylov, proving he has the tools to climb the middleweight ranks. Yet, he often appears to create obstacles for himself outside the octagon. Despite this, Costa keeps speaking out against the champion whenever…
Khamzat Chimaev earned the UFC middleweight championship after defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in Chicago. Champion Delivers Belt to Chechen Leader Days later, Chimaev flew to Chechnya and handed the title to Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic. Kadyrov previously opened a concentration camp targeting LGBTQ+ people in 2017. Personal Ties Influence Decisions Chimaev called the belt “important for my country” during an interview with Joe Rogan. He trains frequently with Kadyrov, who also attended his 2022 wedding. Travel Issues and Political Connections Chimaev faced difficulties entering the United States due to his Chechen connections. UFC CEO…
After bursting onto the UFC stage with six consecutive first-round finishes, Sergei Pavlovich rose to the brink of championship gold in record time. Wins over notable contenders such as Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes established him as one of the deadliest punchers in the heavyweight division. But setbacks against Tom Aspinall in an interim title fight and a follow-up loss to Alexander Volkov forced the Russian to reset. Earlier this year, Pavlovich found his footing again in Riyadh, earning a decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik — his first time going the distance in more than seven years. For Pavlovich, the…
Less than two months after his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been deported to Mexico and is now in prison. “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security deported Julio Cesar Chávez Jr. to Mexican authorities to face charges under his country’s justice system,” U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said on social media. “This shows strong cooperation between our governments and reinforces security for both nations.” Arrest and Transfer In early July, ICE detained Chavez Jr. near his Los Angeles home, accusing him of unlawful entry into the United States. After 46 days…