Artem Vakhitov dismisses the notion that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is the best striker in MMA.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) retained his title by battering Khalil Rountree in Round 4 of Saturday’s UFC 307 main event at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Vakhitov (2-1), a former rival of Pereira’s in kickboxing, wasn’t as high on Pereira’s performance as everyone else was.

“I don’t think that he’s really good and the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean you’re a really good striker,” Vakhitov told Submission Radio.

“A real striker is someone who has a lot of combinations, very different opportunities. He’s just taught well: one punch and deliver in it. But it doesn’t mean having good distance and timing and other stuff. So I think he’s not a really good striker because of it.”

Vakhitov and Pereira fought twice in Glory Kickboxing in back-to-back bouts. Pereria won their first meeting by split decision at Glory 77 in January 2021. Vakhitov avenged that loss eight months later by majority decision at Glory 78.

Pereira said he doubts Vakhitov can recreate their kickboxing history in the UFC, but Vakhitov thinks otherwise. The 33-year-old will look to earn a UFC contract Tuesday when he meets Islem Masraf (3-0) at Dana White’s Contender Series 75 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“Yes, for sure I saw it, and he could say now whatever he wants. But the time will come, and he will change his opinion, I’m sure,” Vakhitov said. “Fighting in small gloves is a different sport. We have a very good and experienced team. For sure in the future, if the fight would happen, we would do everything to be ready for it.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The 21-year-old has been at the Reds since he was five and made 33 appearances in all competitions in his debut season last term.

He has played twice in the current campaign under head coach Arne Slot – the 2-0 win against Ipswich in Liverpool’s Premier League opener and the 5-1 victory over West Ham in the League Cup.

“I couldn’t be happier at this minute,” he told Liverpool’s official website., external

“I think the way the new manager has come in, his coaching style has definitely been a massive part of that.

“I think this is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player.”

Quansah made his first-team debut under previous boss Jurgen Klopp, with an impressive display off the bench against Newcastle in August 2023.

He also played as Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final last season.

Amanda Nunes took on social media to send a unique message to UFC CEO Dana White.

“The Lioness”, who retired from the sport after defending her UFC bantamweight title against Irene Aldana in June of 2023, posted a video singing “Outdoor”, of Brazilian samba group Só Pra Contrariar.

Nunes changed the lyrics to ask White to “call me, please,” adding that “I miss you so much.”

The original lyrics are as follows.

I can’t believe you won’t look for me

I’ve suffered too much beyond what I deserve

Oh, please call

I miss you so much

Nunes left the UFC as a two-division champion, winning 14 of her past 15 fights. Julianna Peña — the lone loss for Nunes during that stretch, who beat “The Lioness” for the 135-pound belt before losing their rematch — called for a trilogy bout after defeating Raquel Pennington in the co-main event of UFC 307 this past Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Sean O’Malley thinks he could return earlier than he originally anticipated.

O’Malley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip – an injury he was dealing with prior to losing his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September.

O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was initially looking at six-eight months off, but after going under the knife, “The Suga Show” is planning on coming back a little sooner.

“(I) got surgery Thursday,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “Today is Saturday, it’s been f*cking two days. I feel f*cking great. I’m going to come back better than ever. I’ll be back next week to sparring. I do think I am going to do everything right. I’m going to recover as fast as I possibly can, and I’m going to get back. Everyone is like, ‘Don’t come back too soon.’

“I’m coming back the right amount of soon. I want to be back ASAP. I want to get these fights in while I’m still young enough. I turn 30 this month. I want to recover, do everything right, but I want to get back in there April, May, June latest. I think I can be back before that. March even would be crazy, but who knows? I’m just going with the flow, day by day.”

O’Malley is not short of options in his return, and already has a slew of bantamweight contenders such as Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, and Jose Aldo hoping to fight him.

An explosive lightweight showdown between Charlie Campbell and Mauricio Ruffy was booked for UFC 309 in New York, multiple people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting following a report from Ag. Fight.

UFC 309 will take place at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16 and air live on pay-per-view. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic headlines the card for the heavyweight belt, with Charles Oliveira taking on Michael Chandler in the co-main event.

Campbell (9-2) enters the cage riding a three-fight winning streak, including a bonus-winning first-round knockout over Alex Reyes in September of 2023. “The Cannibal” won a decision over Trevor Peek in his most recent appearance this past April.

Ruffy (10-1) impressed in his UFC debut by knocking out Jamie Mullarkey in under five minutes, collecting a $50,000 bonus for his performance at UFC 301. Ruffy has a 100 percent knockout rate in MMA, which includes his Dana White Contender Series victory over Raimond Magomedaliev in 2023.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.

Manchester United weigh up various options for managerial role, Liverpool and Newcastle interested in Bundesliga players and Bayern Munich set to offer £400,000-a-week contract.

The future of Erik ten Hag, 54, as Manchester United manager will be decided at a club meeting on Tuesday, with his assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, 54, favoured to take over as a caretaker if a change is made. (Guardian), external

Manchester United are lining up German Thomas Tuchel, 51, as a potential replacement for Ten Hag. (Manchester Evening News), external

Dutchman Ten Hag believes he retains the faith of Manchester United bosses heading into the international break. (ESPN), external

Liverpool are interested in Eintacht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush, 25. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa wanted to sign him last summer. (Sky Germany – in German), external

West Ham will price their Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus, 24, out of a move away from the club next summer despite interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

Newcastle will push to sign Germany winger Leroy Sane, 28, next summer, when his contract expires at Bayern Munich. (Football Insider), external

Bayern Munich are ready to make Germany playmaker Jamal Musiala their joint best-paid player, along with England striker Harry Kane, on about £400,000 a week. The 21-year-old is not thought to be in talks with Real Madrid or Manchester City. (Sky Germany – in German), external

Wolves are maintaining their full support for head coach Gary O’Neil, 41, after sacking set-piece coach Jack Wilson. (Sky Sports), external

Barcelona are tracking Lille and Canada striker Jonathan David, 24. (Todofichajes – in Spanish), external