UFC 310 delivered on its promises as a blockbuster event, and the fight purses for winners Alexandre Pantoja and Shavkat Rakhmonov reflected that. Pantoja, who secured a rear-naked choke victory over Kai Asakura, walked away with an estimated $2 million. Meanwhile, Rakhmonov, who defeated Ian Garry in the co-main event, could have earned anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000, including a slice of the PPV revenue. With Rakhmonov remaining undefeated at 19-0, it's safe to say that this was a fitting end to the year for UFC.
The highly anticipated rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland for the middleweight title is set to take place at UFC 312 on February 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. After their controversial first fight, which Du Plessis won by decision, Strickland has been vocal about wanting another shot at the champion and has finally been granted the opportunity. This match will surely be one to watch as tension between the two fighters has been building due to Strickland's persistent call-outs and social media jabs at Du Plessis.
With Belal Muhammad's unfortunate withdrawal, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry are set to clash for the UFC welterweight title at the highly anticipated event on December 7th. Rakhmonov comes in with an impressive record and notable wins, while Machado Garry has made a name for himself with impressive UFC victories. Stay updated with MMA Junkie's event coverage and sign up for their newsletter for exclusive offers.
Jon Jones, the undefeated heavyweight champion, is making waves in the UFC world after his latest TKO victory over Stipe Miocic. However, Jones is causing controversy by refusing to fight interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and is instead demanding to challenge light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, stating his desire to face "dangerous established champions." The UFC president Dana White has expressed interest in making the fight happen, but Jones is prepared to retire if his demands are not met, adding to the drama surrounding the potential matchup. As fans and experts debate over what should be next for Jones, one thing is certain: he holds all the power in this negotiation.
Brazilian UFC fighter Charles Oliveira is determined to become a champion and will not be picky about who he faces in order to achieve that goal. After his impressive win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, Oliveira has his sights set on the lightweight championship belt. He has previously fought both Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, making him a potential contender for the winner of their upcoming match. Despite a split decision loss to Tsarukyan in the past, Oliveira is focused on reaching his ultimate goal and is eager to prove himself as the best in the lightweight division.
At the age of 41, Jim Miller submits Damon Jackson in the first round at UFC 309, securing his 27th win with the promotion and extending his record for most wins. Jackson retires after the fight, leaving his gloves in the cage, while Miller proves that age is just a number in the world of UFC. Despite his long tenure with the promotion, Miller shows no signs of slowing down with three wins in his last four fights.
At UFC 309, President-Elect Donald Trump was seen in attendance alongside other high-profile celebrities such as Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr., and more. Along the way to his seat, Trump even shared a handshake with WWE's Triple H, cementing his longstanding connection with the wrestling organization. Trump's continued support for UFC and his focus on promoting hypermasculine tones align with his political strategies and appeal to male voters. This was not the first time Trump has been involved with UFC and it seems that his ties to the sport will continue even during his presidency.
Despite his victory at UFC 309, Bo Nickal did not impress in his bout against Paul Craig, according to Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier. The former NCAA wrestling star showed caution and did not utilize his takedown skills, leading the crowd to chant "overrated." While Nickal has the potential to reach the top in MMA, he needs more time to develop before facing a fighter like Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC fighter Marlon "Chito" Vera criticizes the upcoming bout between Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul, declaring it a "shit show" and questioning Tyson's decision to return to the ring at his age. Vera compares the mismatched fight to his own bout with a much older opponent, emphasizing the potential for unnecessary damage to be done to the aging Tyson. Despite its popularity and promotion, the fight continues to draw criticism from within the sports community, including from UFC boss Dana White.
UFC legend Conor McGregor was seen in the crowd at St James' Park as Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Gunners' winless run in the Premier League continued, leaving them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool and below Nottingham Forest in fourth place. McGregor, who has been a regular at Arsenal games this season, was in town ahead of his Bareknuckle event and was playfully mocked by the Magpies on Instagram following their win.