Latest news with #BMF
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Charles Oliveira unsure UFC 317 backup Arman Tsarukyan gets title fight winner
Charles Oliveira is content with Arman Tsarukyan being positioned as the title fight alternate at UFC 317, but doesn't know if that means he will face the winner of his clash with Ilia Topuria. Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) will meet Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the vacant lightweight championship in the main event of the June 28 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), and as insurance for the matchup, Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will weigh in as the official backup. Advertisement Although the ideal scenario would be for the fight with Topuria to go forward as planned, if something chaotic happens before stepping into the octagon and Tsarukyan's services are needed, then Oliveira said he would proceed with UFC's secondary plan. "I didn't know he was the backup, but if that's what the UFC decides, then that's what we're going to do," Oliveira told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. "He's also a great guy and a great opponent. So, we'll see." Oliveira suffered a split decision loss to Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April 2024. The victory sent Tsarukyan into a title shot against then-champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but he withdrew on weigh-in day due to a back injury and has been trying to restore his image with the UFC brass ever since. Whether Tsarukyan doing the job as UFC 317 backup fighter puts him in better standing with executives remains to be seen, but there will be multiple fighters clamoring for the winner of Oliveira vs. Topuria. Advertisement Tsarukyan is among them, but there is also Justin Gaethje, who has made his desire very clear to challenge for the belt next, and BMF champ Max Holloway has also staked his claim if he beats Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19 in New Orleans. Oliveira said he can't pinpoint who is going to be the first challenger to the new champion crowned at UFC 317, but he admits there's multiple viable candidates. "The reality is that everyone is right there," Oliveira said. "Everyone is in that position, so everyone wants an opportunity. It's hard for me to say who it is that deserves it or not." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 317: Charles Oliveira unsure backup Arman Tsarukyan gets winner
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Dana White: UFC 318 Was Built For Big Star Dustin Poirier's Retirement
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier reacts after defeating Benoit Saint Denis of France in ... More their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) The UFC has not held a fight card in New Orleans since June 2015. That drought of 10-plus years without a UFC event in the Crescent City ends on July 19, 2025, when the promotion visits the Smoothie King Center for the UFC 318 fight card. According to UFC CEO Dana White, the UFC designed the pay-per-view card in New Orleans around one man, Dustin Poirier, for his retirement fight. Poirier faces Max Holloway in a trilogy bout in the UFC 318 main event. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: UFC CEO Dana White holds a press conference after the UFC 313 event at ... More T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) 'Throughout the world, Dustin Poirier is a big star for us,' White told WDSU in Louisiana. 'He's accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him. He wanted to have his last fight and end his career in New Orleans so here we are.' As with most UFC pay-per-view events, UFC 318 will have a belt on the line in the main event. That title, the symbolic BMF championship, is held by Holloway. Poirier, who hails from Lafayette, Louisiana, battled Justin Gaethje for the BMF strap in July 2023, losing by knockout in the second round. 'Actually, he's ranked No. 5 in the world right now in the lightweight division,' White said about Poirier. 'He's a guy who's held his position in the top 10 in the sport for a very long time. He's achieved a lot. 'He's one of the all-time greats. Thousands of people have fought in the UFC, I don't know where I could rank him but he's one of the all-time greats.' ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (R-L) Dustin Poirier punches Max Holloway in their interim lightweight ... More championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Dustin Poirier (30-9-0-1) has been a UFC fighter since 2011. At the time he had a 7-1 record. Between 2011 and 2018, Poirier went 16-4-0-1, picking up notable wins over Max Holloway, Bobby Green, Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, and Eddie Alvarez. His losses during that stretch came to The Korean Zombie, Cub Swanson, Conor McGregor, and Michael Johnson. Poirier's wins over Miller, Pettis, Gaethje, and Alvarez set him up to fight for the interim UFC lightweight title against then-UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway. Poirier was the No. 3 ranked fighter in the UFC 155-pound division at the time, April 2019. Poirier claimed the interim crown with a decision win. In September 2019, Poirier faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout. Nurmagomedov won that contest by third-round submission. Three wins after that, including two TKO victories over Conor McGregor, put Poirier in another lightweight title fight. He lost that battle to Charles Oliveira, falling to a rear-naked choke in the third round of their December 2021 matchup. The 36-year-old Poirier is 2-2 since that setback with wins over Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint Denis. Poirier's losses during that run came against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title and, most recently, opposite Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302 in June 2024. Poirier has 15 fight-night bonus awards, which ties him for fourth all-time in that category. Poirier is the No. 5 ranked UFC lightweight. ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (R-L) Max Holloway punches Dustin Poirier in their interim lightweight ... More championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Max Holloway (26-8) has been with the UFC since 2012. If there's a stat that the UFC tracks, chances are Holloway is among the leaders. He holds the UFC featherweight record for wins (20), finishes (11), knockouts (nine), win streak (13 straight), total fight time (6:58:57), significant strikes landed (2,971), and total strikes landed (3,180). Holloway's overall UFC records include significant strikes landed (3,457) and total strikes landed (3,706). Holloway's run as UFC featherweight champ began in June 2017 when he knocked out Jose Aldo. Holloway entered that contest as the interim champ, a belt he won by knocking out Anthony Pettis in December 2016. He defended his title against Aldo (TKO), Brian Ortega (TKO), and Frankie Edgar (decision). He also attempted to win the interim UFC lightweight belt during that run, but he fell short, dropping a decision to Dustin Poirier. Holloway's championship run ended in December 2019 when Alexander Volkanovski beat him by decision. Volkanovski retained the title in an immediate rematch. Wins over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez earned Holloway another shot at Volkanovski and his title in July 2022, but the champ retained his belt with a decision win. Holloway followed that setback with wins over Arnold Allen, the Korean Zombie, and Justin Gaethje. The Gaethje victory, a fight that many voted 'Fight of the Year' and 'Knockout of the Year,' earned Holloway the BMF title. That fight took place at 155 pounds. Holloway followed his BMF title win with the first knockout loss of his career, falling to Ilia Topuria in a UFC featherweight title fight in October 2024. Holloway is the No. 1 fighter in the official UFC featherweight rankings. He is also ranked at No. 12 at 155 pounds and sits at No. 12 in the pound-for-pound rankings. LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 04: Dustin Poirier (blue shorts) attempts to submit Max Holloway during ... More the UFC 143 event at Mandalay Bay Events Center on February 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway. They first met in a featherweight scrap at UFC 143 in February 2012. The bout was Holloway's fifth pro fight and first as a member of the UFC. He was 4-0 heading into the contest. Meanwhile, Poirier had been with the WEC/UFC for two years by then with a 11-1 pro record. Poirier won that fight, and earned Submission of the Night, for his first-round triangle armbar stoppage. The two faced off for the second time in April 2019 at UFC 236. That matchup was for the interim UFC lightweight title. Poirier won that 'Fight of the Night' bonus-winning scrap. Poirier failed to unify the title, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission at UFC 242 in September 2019. Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier Lightweight for Holloway's BMF Title Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen - Middleweight Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci - Strawweight Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson - Welterweight Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira - Bantamweight Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov - Welterweight Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio - Light Heavyweight Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira - Middleweight Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari - Women's Flyweight Saturday, July 19 Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA Main Card: 10:00 p.m. ET Preliminary Card: 8:00 p.m. ET Early Prelims: 6:00 p.m. ET The lowest price non re-sale seats for UFC 318 are listed on TicketMaster at $458.55 for upper bowl seats. The highest price ticket is a third row seat for $4381.25. The above prices include all fees and taxes. We will have more on the UFC 318 fight card as fight night nears.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
'This is for him': Dana White confirms UFC 318 was built for Dustin Poirier's send-off
'This is for him': Dana White confirms UFC 318 was built for Dustin Poirier's send-off UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the upcoming pay-per-view event in New Orleans was built to celebrate Dustin Poirier's retirement fight. UFC 318 takes place at the Smoothie King Center on July 19 and features Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) facing Max Holloway in a trilogy bout for the BMF title. It will be a home-state send-off for Poirier, who was born in Lafayette, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New Orleans. The BMF title is only brought out for special occasions by the promotion to add a little something special for a matchup between fan-favorite fighters. Poirier and Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) fit that bill as global stars for the UFC. White labeled both fighters as "all-time greats" of the promotion. "Dustin Poirier is a big star for us," White told WDSU News. "He's accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him. He wanted to have his last fight and end his career in New Orleans, so here we are.' Poirier, 36, defeated Holloway in their second meeting by unanimous decision at UFC 236 to capture the interim lightweight title. Their first fight came seven years earlier at UFC 143 in 2012, which Poirier won by submission in the first round. There's plenty of history between the two fighters, and now Poirier will close his career against a familiar face, in a familiar place. White heaped praise on Poirier's career, which began in the UFC back in 2011 when he debuted against Josh Grispi at UFC 125 as a featherweight. "He's ranked No. 5 in the world right now in the lightweight division," White said. "He's a guy who's held his position in the top 10 for a very long time. He's achieved a lot. He's one of the all-time greats. Thousands of people have fought in the UFC. I don't know where I could rank him (overall), but he's one of the all-time greats." Poirier campaigned for the UFC's return to New Orleans. The promotion's last event in "The Big Easy" was UFC Fight Night 68 in June 2015. Poirier competed against Yancy Medeiros at that event and earned a Performance of the Night bonus for a first-round TKO.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Max Holloway plans to 'spoil' Dustin Poirier's retirement, fight Topuria-Oliveira winner
Max Holloway plans to 'spoil' Dustin Poirier's retirement, fight Topuria-Oliveira winner Show Caption Hide Caption Dustin Poirier discusses UFC 318 retirement fight vs. Max Holloway Dustin Poirier talks to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn about his retirement fight against Max Holloway at UFC 318 on July 19, retiring with the BMF title. Max Holloway won't have mercy on anyone as he enters the next chapter of his career with a clear mindset: "Taking it serious, coming back and looking to make a statement." Holloway hasn't seen action since October, when he suffered the first knockout loss of his career against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. The defeat in the featherweight title bout prompted the former titleholder to finally make a full-time move up to lightweight, where he will look for a fresh start against a familiar foe. The UFC 318 main event on July 19 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) will see Holloway enter enemy territory to take on Louisiana's own Dustin Poirier in what will conclude the longest-spanning trilogy in UFC history and also a retirement fight for "The Diamond." Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) has lost both of his previous meetings with Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC). The first was in his octagon debut at UFC 143 in February 2012 when he was just 19 years old, and "Blessed" suffered a first-round submission defeat. The rematch happened in April 2019 at UFC 236, where Poirier earned a unanimous decision win in a Fight of the Year contender for the interim lightweight belt. Poirier told MMA Junkie in April that he was honored to have Holloway be his final dance partner, and there is a strong element of mutual respect. However, Holloway needs his get-back and said he's not letting Poirier walk away from the sport with a 3-0 series sweep. "I respect Dustin," Holloway said in a new UFC 318 training camp video on his YouTube channel. "He's fought a who's who, and he did everything you could ask for someone to do in this sport. But at the end of the day, it's not even about fighting. It's about respecting Dustin as a man. He's a great guy. He's a good guy. I've got nothing but respect for him, and I can't wait to share the octagon yet again with him. "I know this is Dustin's retirement fight, and he's trying to ride into the sunset, but he can go and do that, and it might be a little bit sad, because I'm going to go out there and get my hand raised. ... Hell of guy, great guy, awesome that it's his retirement fight, but I'm here to spoil his plans and get my hand raised because I'm still going to be here when he's riding off in the sunset. I'm still going to be here. I want to still go get an undisputed title, so I've got to go out and make a statement." Although the UFC 318 headliner will be contested for Holloway's BMF title, the Hawaiian made it clear this is not a belt he's content with. Holloway has the desire to add the 155-pound title to his mantel alongside the 145-pound and BMF belts, and to get there he must win this fight. With Islam Makhachev vacating for welterweight, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) will fight for vacant gold on June 28 in the UFC 317 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Holloway has the recent loss to Topuria and a past win over Oliveira on his resume, and he said he will be chasing whomever comes out of that fight as the new champ. "The only message that I'm trying to send is I'm still here," Holloway said. "I know this is Dustin's retirement fight, but his last fight was for a title. I still have title contentions in my mind. Couple weeks before us, there's a title fight at 155 and I've got history with both men. At the end of the day, I go out there and do my thing, I make a statement, I get a statement win, who's to say your boy not fighting for the 155 undisputed title at the end of the year? First things first is Dustin Poirier. I'm not overlooking him. This is his retirement fight. He is taking it serious. Everybody keeps reminding me that he's 2-0. The internet and everywhere all around is saying, 'Why?' I'm going to show you why. I'm going to show you why I got this fight, and I'm going to show the fans why you want to see this fight."
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Justin Gaethje: 'I'm done doing sh*t' for UFC without appropriate appreciation, pay
Justin Gaethje: 'I'm done doing sh*t' for UFC without appropriate appreciation, pay Justin Gaethje does not appreciate the UFC leaving him out of the lightweight title picture. Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) did the UFC a solid by defending his BMF title against Max Holloway on their historic 300th pay-per-view event. He wound up getting knocked out by Holloway at UFC 300, but rebounded with a win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. Prior to Islam Makhachev vacating his UFC lightweight title, he was open to a fresh matchup against Gaethje over former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. However, when Belal Muhammad lost his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Makhachev opted to relinquish his belt for a move up to 170 pounds. With the UFC lightweight title now vacant, Gaethje expected to be one half of the title fight. Instead, the promotion opted to match up Topuria against Charles Oliveira in the UFC 317 headliner on June 28. "They owe me a championship fight," Gaethje said on "The Makeshift Podcast." "I'm 3-1 in my last four. They came to my house begging me to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. I consider that an exhibition fight. I don't mean that the loss is not on my record. I mean it had nothing to do with rankings. In the time that I did that, Dustin Poirier, who I just beat, got a good win over (Benoit) Saint Denis and then fought for the belt "Since I've won (vs. Fiziev), the champion has been saying he wants to fight me. So they could have easily set that up, but they didn't. Then he vacates, and then Oliveira is 2-2 in his last fights, already has a loss to Makhachev, and they bring a brand-new guy in, and I get f*cked again. So I'm not going to fight any of these motherf*ckers for fun unless they pay me so much more money." Ali Abdelaziz revealed that Gaethje will consider retirement if he doesn't get the next title shot. "The Highlight" continued to vent his frustration towards the UFC. "I'm the most consistent guy," Gaethje said. "I think anybody that's ever performed for their company and been as consistent as an employee for their company gets a Christmas bonus, gets a thank you, get a 'Good f*cking job.' Nah – I'm done doing sh*t here. I love fighting for the UFC and I'd never want to fight somewhere else, but I'm not just going to throw my legacy away for anybody." For Gaethje, it's title shot or bust. "I'm waiting for them to announce it," Gaethje said of a presumed title shot. "(Oliveira is) 2-2, I'm 3-1. What do you want me to do? Not my fault (Dan) Hooker dropped out. (Arman) Tsarukyan should have got it, but he f*cked himself. That's his fault."
