Latest news with #MMA
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star
Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As UFC 317 inches closer, the spotlight intensifies on Ilia Topuria, who is preparing for what many believe will be his toughest test yet—a title bout against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Scheduled for June 28 in Las Vegas, the undefeated featherweight champion is set to challenge for the lightweight crown straight away, a bold move on its own. But outside the Octagon, Topuria has turned his attention toward a rising UFC name who isn't even on the card. Advertisement The feud between Topuria and Pimblett is heating up fast. Both have had words for each other in the past. In a recent interview with ESPN Deportes, Topuria didn't hold back: 'Sometimes he flies under the radar, but have you noticed? He's another hypocrite—I'm telling you. I remember once we shared a press conference, and he told me something like, 'Oh look, I'm fighting on the main card and you're on the prelims'—some nonsense like that. And now I ask myself… I've got two belts—where is he? Who the f** is Paddy Pimblett right now? And why would he deserve to fight me?'* Ilia TopuriaGetty Images Topuria didn't stop there: 'Honestly, I can't stand the guy. If I could choose one fight, I'd fight him because people really dislike him. He's awful. It's like you shake his hand and he tries to bite it… Two people who really want to beat each other up. And what better than doing that in front of everyone and giving them a show?' Paddy PimblettGetty Images Pimblett, for his part, most recently made comments about Topuria during an appearance on the TNT Sports. He said: 'All his opponents on the bounce—Holloway just been fighting at 155, had to get back to 45 and had a war with Gaethje who had just been knocked out like two or three months earlier. Josh is like 37. Bryce—love him—but he's not a striker. Fought that Gracie... like, most of his fights coming up, you can compare them to my fights. People rag on my opponents too, you know what I mean?' Pimblett added: 'I don't think he beat Volk if Volk hadn't been knocked out three months previous. I think that's one of the reasons he moved to lightweight—because he didn't want the rematch with Volk' With UFC 317 scheduled for June 28, Topuria's immediate focus remains on Oliveira. But if he emerges victorious, there's no shortage of potential challengers. Justin Gaethje has already made it clear he wants the next title shot. However, a grudge match against Pimblett—with the bad blood already spilling—could draw even more fan interest. Either way, Topuria has options, and they're all high-stakes. Advertisement Related: New Court Ruling Adds to Ongoing Legal Struggles for BJ Penn: Report Related: 'He Will Never Lose Again' – Hall of Fame Trainer Sounds Off on Merab Dvalishvili's Relentless Rise This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Volkanovski Alexander Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: ‘It's a Responsibility'
Volkanovski Alexander Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC's heavyweight division has been surrounded by uncertainty for months, and now one of the sport's most respected champions is weighing in. While Jon Jones remains sidelined and no official word has been given on his next move, a fellow titleholder didn't hold back in delivering a hard truth about what it means to wear UFC gold. Advertisement UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who recently reclaimed his title with a dominant win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314, gave his take on the situation during a recent appearance on the OverDogsPodcast, shared via Red Corner MMA. Jon Jones Getty Images The Aussie didn't mince words when asked about Jon Jones' inactivity and the state of the heavyweight division. 'If you're the champ, you defend your belt — it's a responsibility. You need to be reasonably active. If you've got an interim champ, that's a no-brainer. Don't hold up the division. I know your resume is incredible, you're considered the GOAT. So if you don't want to fight, just retire.' Volkanovski's words hold weight, especially considering his own track record. Even after recapturing the featherweight belt, he immediately turned his attention to a possible bout with undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. The message is clear—Volk is living by the same standard he's calling for. Advertisement As for Jones, no official retirement has been confirmed, and UFC President Dana White recently reiterated that while he'll do everything possible to make the next fight happen, 'if Jon wants to retire, there's nothing I can do.' With the title picture still in limbo, the heavyweight drama continues. Related: Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star Related: New Court Ruling Adds to Ongoing Legal Struggles for BJ Penn: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle
Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Health battles in combat sports don't always end when the final bell rings. For some fighters, the toughest rounds come long after the crowds have quieted and the lights have dimmed. These are the moments that reveal what heart truly looks like. In a sport defined by grit and resilience, fans recently received a heartfelt reminder that the most meaningful fights often take place far from the spotlight. And now, one veteran's family has offered a sobering update on an ongoing battle that continues behind the scenes. Advertisement On June 7, both the MMA and wrestling worlds were shaken by reports that Ben Askren, known for his wrestling dominance and outspoken personality, was in critical condition due to severe pneumonia. Ben AskrenGetty News of his situation spread rapidly, with fans and former fighters flooding social media in a show of unified support. Today, a deeply personal update was shared via his wife Amy's Instagram story, revealing the latest developments in his recovery. 'Ben has been in limbo for a while… Ben is still on a ventilator and ECMO to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, and on the good days, they've been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands… I'm still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant… Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily… Give your loved ones a hug today and make sure you're prepared for situations like this. Ben is the healthiest guy I know and I never could have expected this.' The veteran remains in critical condition, with signs of response but no full awakening. As transplant evaluations begin, the outpouring of support has not wavered. The wrestling and UFC communities continue to rally behind him—holding onto hope, offering strength, and standing united for one of their own. Advertisement Related: Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight
UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi this summer, and Dana White has confirmed a massive lineup for the July 26 Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena. Headlining the card is former champion Robert Whittaker, who will face Reinier de Ridder in a pivotal middleweight showdown. Whittaker's name carries weight in the sport, but this might be the kind of fight that redefines it. It's a test, a statement, and maybe—just maybe—a turning point. Advertisement Whittaker, 34, the proud Australian and former UFC middleweight champion, hasn't been seen in the Octagon since UFC 308, where a face crank from Khamzat Chimaev brought a sudden, painful end to his night. Robert WhittakerGetty Images The first-round submission didn't just stop the fight—it popped his jaw and wrecked his lower teeth. There were reports that you could hear a pop from cageside. Since then, Whittaker's been on the mend, and now he's stepping right back into the fire. Standing in his way is Reinier de Ridder, also 34—a submission ace from the Netherlands and former two-division champ in ONE Championship. De Ridder has quietly built a resume of chaos, finishing his last three opponents, including a dominant submission win over then-undefeated Bo Nickal. His grappling pedigree is no joke, and he has a way of dragging opponents into deep water fast. Reinier de Ridder© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images For Whittaker, it's more than just another fight. This is the kind of moment careers pivot on. He's danced with the best—Adesanya, Romero, Cannonier, Vettori, and most recently, Chimaev. He knows the pressure of the big stage. But he also knows that in a division this stacked, there's no room to fall behind. Advertisement Ranked #5, he could be one big win away from title talk—or one stumble away from being passed by. If he's able to put on a dominant performance in Abu Dhabi, talk of rematches with Chimaev or current champion Dricus du Plessis could quickly come into focus. Both fights carry storylines that fans are eager to revisit—and Whittaker knows he has unfinished business with both. And he won't be alone under the spotlight. The rest of the card is loaded with names and matchups that scream action: UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ABU DHABI – July 26 | Etihad Arena Bout order subject to change Middleweight Bout 🇦🇺 #5 Robert Whittaker vs. #12 Reinier de Ridder 🇳🇱 5-Round Co-Main Event – Featherweight Bout 🇷🇺 Movsar Evloev vs. Aaron Pico 🇺🇸 Bantamweight Bout 🇷🇺 #3 Petr Yan vs. #13 Marcus McGhee 🇺🇸 Featherweight Bout 🇺🇸 Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov 🇷🇺 Middleweight Bout 🇷🇺 Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault 🇨🇦 Light Heavyweight Bout 🇷🇺 Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov 🇺🇿 With top-ranked contenders, proven veterans, and breakout prospects all sharing the stage, UFC Abu Dhabi feels like more than a Fight Night—it feels like a reckoning. For Whittaker, the stakes couldn't be higher. Advertisement Related: Ben Askren: New Update Reveals Emotional Details on UFC Veteran's Ongoing Health Battle Related: Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jon Jones Responds to Dana White's Deadline with Blunt Update
Jon Jones Responds to Dana White's Deadline with Blunt Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC heavyweight title scene remains in limbo, and the suspense is starting to wear thin. Jon Jones, arguably the most dominant force in MMA history, still hasn't given the green light on a showdown with interim champ Tom Aspinall. While Dana White has been working behind the curtain to make it happen, the champ's latest comments suggest the UFC might be left hanging. And if White's tone is any indication, patience is running out. Advertisement During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Dana White didn't sugarcoat the situation. The UFC president confirmed the clock is very much ticking. Feb 15, 2020; Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA; UFC fighter Jon Jones attends the light heavyweight bout between Jan Blachowicz (blue) and Corey Anderson (red) during UFC Fight Night at Santa Ana Star Arena.© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports 'We'll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks. If we can't get this fight done, we'll move on quickly … We'll have answers in the next couple weeks.' When Rome pressed for a firm timeline, White held the line: 'A couple of weeks.' That's not exactly vague. The UFC is ready to move with or without Jones. But 'Bones' doesn't sound like a man feeling the heat. Speaking with Full Send Podcast, Jones delivered a response that felt more like a retirement tease than fight hype. 'I don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting is in my blood... but right now, I could really care less about fighting.' 'If the itch comes back—and if it comes back—then I'll do it with my whole heart.' On the subject of Tom Aspinall, Jones didn't mince words: 'He's just not in a position to excite me... If I whoop his ass, it's going to be the next guy. I've replayed this story so many times.' Translation? He's not in a rush. And with a decision looming in less than two weeks, White may be forced to pivot if Jones stays noncommittal. Whether that means elevating Aspinall or creating another interim detour, the UFC's heavyweight division can't afford to stay frozen. Advertisement This next move will be massive—not just for Dana White, but for the future of a division that's been stuck in neutral far too long. Related: UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight Related: UFC Star Wants Dricus Du Plessis in Historic Africa vs. Africa Showdown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
