Over 100 fighters have written letters of support for the settlement agreement in one of the UFC antitrust lawsuits in hopes that financial relief could come sooner rather than later.

TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of the UFC — agreed to pay out $375 million to end litigation with the fighters now waiting to find out if Judge Richard Boulware will approve the deal. Among the fighters who penned letters of support for the settlement agreement was former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin, who detailed the struggles he’s faced in recent years.

“Despite having a degree in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, I have been unable to maintain adequate focus to hold down an engineering job,” Carwin wrote. “I face serious challenges in meeting basic everyday expenses for food, shelter, and transportation and in basic life skills necessary to function.

“These funds would also allow me to obtain the healthcare I need and keep a roof over my head and food on my table. The sad reality is that funds years from now may be of no use to me. I desperately need these funds now.”

Retired UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub, who counts Carwin as a friend after training together for several years, addressed the issues that the six-time UFC veteran faces now that his fighting career is over.

“Shane is smart amongst smart people,” Schaub said on his podcast. “Shane got a degree from the School of Mines. That’s the Harvard of the f*cking Midwest. School of Mines is so hard to get into and he dominated that shit. Dominated. One of the smartest people you will ever meet in Shane Carwin.

“He can barely tie his f*cking shoes. He’s not doing great.”

Many of the fighters who submitted letters of support for the settlement revealed struggles with possible traumatic brain injury and reporting symptoms of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head that can only be detected from an autopsy.

While Carwin fought for just under six years, he was also a football player and wrestler, which Schaub acknowledged also undoubtedly played a part in the damage done.

Schaub revealed that while the antitrust lawsuit continues to play out in the courts, the UFC did reach out to Carwin in an attempt to get him some help for the health struggles he’s faced.

“As soon as Dana [White] heard that Shane was having some issues, they flew Shane down there and tried [to help him],” Schaub said. “I don’t know enough about it, I don’t know if anyone does but he’s the worst of the worst right now.

“I’m not hating on the UFC, I’m not hating on Dana. This would have happened if Shane fought in PRIDE, if he fought in PFL, he fought in ONE Championship.”

Sadly, Carwin’s issues aren’t unique — at least based on many of the letters written in support of the UFC antitrust lawsuit settlement — but this particular situation hits close to home for Schuab.

“It’s Shane Carwin, who paid for my training when I couldn’t afford it,” Schaub said. “It’s Shane Carwin, who had one fight when I met him, I had none and he signed me up without me knowing into Golden Gloves because he knew I’d win and he cornered me. I cornered him in his second fight ever in Mississippi. We had nothing. Just me and him. All we had was me and him.”

If the settlement agreement is approved, attorneys for the fighters estimated an average payout of $250,000 but approximately 35 athletes would receive around $1 million.

Schaub can’t say for certain where Carwin falls in that list but he knows that the former UFC champion needs that help now not later.

That’s why he wishes the UFC would reach out to Carwin personally and float him some much needed money to help support him as he’s struggling to survive.

“How do you not just go, I get it dude, boom, $10 or $15 million, for your troubles,” Schaub said. “Can we be human for a f*cking second? Could you just be a f*cking human being for a second and go, here man, we know. You don’t have to do it publicly. Just from f*ckin human to human, this guy put his life on the line. I’ve seen it. I was with him every step of the way from day f*cking one.

“He’s such a good person. How can you not just go ‘yeah, man, that’s terrible. You can’t even afford housing and food, you lost your wife, the kids aren’t doing great, here you go, don’t worry about it.’ That’s pennies to these guys.”

Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

With a simple but digestible format that has had the MMA fanbase responding, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, I once again will be taking a look at the winning fighters, regardless of whether or not they won a UFC contract, and grading their performances in regard to their probability of returning to a UFC stage.

***

Jonathan Micallef

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Jonathan Micallef of Australia punches Mohamed Ado of Niger in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week ten at UFC APEX on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Jonathan Micallef def. Mohamed Ado via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:01
Grade: A-

Summary: Despite ultimately doing what this show – as well as his career – requires of him, I ended up settling on an unenthused A- for Jonathan Micallef, given how little there was to grade.

In fact, fights like these (as well as one we’ll get to later) perfectly represent a point I touched on last week regarding Dana White’s proclivity for fast finishes influencing both the action and the adjudication of said action. For that reason, don’t be surprised to see fast finishes get B gradings from me in future columns – especially if the rawness of the talent is pungent or if the process is lacking.

Don’t get me wrong: Micallef was taking whatever Mohamed Ado was going to give him, and the triangle transition was smooth as hell.

That said, I’d argue that it was Ado’s clear rawness in the skills department that played right into Micallef’s hands considering that triangles from your back are a rarity in all men’s divisions at the UFC level (particularly in weight classes north of 155 pounds).

For that reason, I’ll temper my expectations on Micallef until I’m able to see more from him. I’m not shocked to see Micallef signed and I suspect he’ll be tested against American talents like Billy Goff or Charles Radtke for his first booking.

Julieta Martinez

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Julieta Martinez of Argentina punches Leslie Hernandez of Mexico in a strawweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week ten at UFC APEX on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Weight class: Welterweight
Result: Julieta Martinez def. Leslie Hernandez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Grade: B+

Summary: Between Julieta Martinez’s fun fighting style to a nickname that sparks off all sorts of Richard Gere jokes in my head, I felt hardpressed to give “The Ninja Ferret” a solid B+ for her winning effort opposite Leslie Hernandez.

To be honest, I was much more impressed with Hernandez to start this fight. The American looked incredibly composed and applied good counters in the clinch throughout the early parts of the fight.

However, after a rough first frame, Martinez appeared to use her aggression to power through the defenses of Hernandez, finding more and more success as the fight wore on.

From diverse head kicks in space to a sticky grappling game in closed quarters, Martinez is just a boxing game short of being a real threat to future contemporaries.

Despite Martinez technically receiving a lower grade than the previous winner, I came away more excited from this contest given everything that we were able to see from both parties. That said, I don’t disagree with the logic Dana White gave behind his decision to ultimately not sign Martinez.

Although I’d like to see more development deals given out as White did here, I also wonder why the UFC matchmakers continue to book these seasons with incredibly raw talent (who arguably stand to lose more with an exciting performance and subsequent signing to the big show).

Hopefully, we will see more seasoned fighters getting second chances next season as opposed to this Jerry Sandusky-style talent scouting that they’re using to fill these shows.

Yadier del Valle

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (R-L) Yadier DelValle of Cuba punches Antonio Monteiro of Brazil in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week ten at UFC APEX on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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Weight class: Featherweight
Result: Yadier del Valle def. Antonio Monteiro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Grade: A

Summary: Even though going to a decision can be looked down upon on this show, there’s no way that anyone can deny that this wasn’t the best fight of the night (as well as the season, for that matter). And for that reason, there’s no way Yadier del Valle gets anything less than an A for absolutely taking it to Antonio Monteiro as an underdog.

Although Monteiro came in with an edge in experience and an association with the respected Nova Uniao camp, the Brazilian’s defense – or lack thereof – appeared to completely fall off a cliff when facing a southpaw like del Valle.

A pressuring madman, del Valle’s style represents the hard-working Latino stereotypes that he proudly wears on his sleeve (showing some incredible emotions post-fight that can’t help but endear him further from a fandom perspective).

More range weapons and kicks wouldn’t hurt del Valle’s southpaw stylings, but it’s hard to complain about anything, given the vicious clinch and ground striking that the Cuban put on display.

From slicing elbows to brutal body knees, del Valle presents potent threats that I can’t wait to see unleashed in the UFC’s featherweight stable. I was hoping that Dana White would sign both men, considering Monteiro’s action-fighting reliability, but I’m happy to see del Valle brought on board.

As far as del Valle’s first official assignment goes, I’d love to see him throw right into another fun matchup with someone like Hyder Amil.

Luis Gurule

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (R-L) Luis Gurule punches Nick Piccininni in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week ten at UFC APEX on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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Weight class: Flyweight
Result: Luis Gurule def. Nick Piccininni via split decision (29-28, 28-9, 29-28)
Grade: B+

Summary: Between being a sizeable underdog and taking this fight on under a week’s notice, I couldn’t deny Luis Gurule anything less than a B+ for getting it done against Nick Piccininni.

Although I have a bit of bias on the Piccininni side, given that he was one of my prospects to watch in 2023, I don’t disagree with the judges giving the nod to Gurule based on his argument for scoring more in the first and second frames via effective striking.

Despite not being nearly as accoladed a wrestler as Piccininni, Gurule had enough wrestling experience to scramble effectively and give his striking a chance in space.

To his credit, Picininni pushed through some tough spots early to put a hellacious pace on Gurule. If Piccininni continues to progress under the care of Sayif Saud and company, then I could see him finding success in the future if he can fully embrace his Frankie Edgar-like style and sensibilities.

As for Gurule, I’m glad that Dana White signed him given that the undefeated 30-year-old looks like a reliable action fighter. I’m not sure if the UFC brass will pair Gurule up with someone coming off a loss, but I’d love to see the American pitted against Lucas Rocha early next year for a fight that would be guaranteed fireworks.

Nick Klein

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Nick Klein kicks Heraldo Souza of Brazil in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week ten at UFC APEX on October 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Weight class: Middleweight
Result: Nick Klein def. Heraldo Souza via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:37
Grade: A-

Summary: In another fight that has me questioning my grading scale, I felt the need to keep the same energy I did with the opener by giving Nick Klein an A- for making quick work of Heraldo Souza as an underdog.

Don’t get me wrong: Klein deserves his flowers as a short-notice Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt who submitted a black belt, but Souza carelessly giving his back after giving away a takedown tells me very little about the American’s skills or ceiling.

I’m getting strong Zachary Reese vibes from Klein, so hopefully they have a chance to meet down the road for a meme-style matchup.

As for Klein’s first UFC assignment, I say get him in there sooner rather than later with someone like Ryan Loder so that we can see more of this kid.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 76.

Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan says the “use of pyrotechnics must stop” after the club were fined twice by Uefa.

A fine of approximately £11,500 for flares at the recent Europa League defeat at home by Lyon followed a penalty approaching £15,900 for a similar incident in the earlier fixture away to Malmo, which Rangers won.

Gilligan said, external of the 4-1 loss to Lyon: “The biggest disappointment of that evening, however, was the actions of a small minority of supporters, whose use of pyrotechnics at the match has seen the club fined €13,750 by Uefa. This is in addition to a €19,000 fine for a similar incident in the match with Malmo.

“My message is the use of pyrotechnics must stop and stop now at all of our matches home and away.

“Not only could the repercussions become ever-larger for the club, many supporters have difficulty coping with the effects of pyrotechnics, whether that be the smoke or loud bangs they produce. It is desperately unfair for any Rangers supporter to come to a match and be affected in such a manner.”

Cameron Smotherman is shooting his shot.

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Smotherman (11-4) is stepping in on less than a week’s notice as a replacement for Brady Hiestand to fight Jake Hadley (11-3) this Saturday at UFC Vegas 99. The reason for Hiestand’s withdrawal was not disclosed.

MMA Mania was first to report the new bantamweight matchup.

Smotherman, 27, has fought almost exclusively for Fury FC, with his lone venture outside of the promotion taking place on Dana White’s Contender Series matchup. In that August 2023 encounter with Charalampos Grigoriou, “The Baby-Faced Killer” fell short in his quest for a UFC contract after losing by 60-second TKO.

To call Smotherman’s pre-UFC career eventful would be an understatement, as he has made Missed Fists headlines several times, including an entertaining rant against a dissenting judge, a Tyson Fury-esque comeback victory after nearly being KO’d, and a clutch flying knee that likely saved him from losing a bantamweight title. Now he gets his chance to make waves in the octagon.

Hadley also had a rough go of it on the Contender Series, missing weight but going on to be signed anyway after defeating Mitch Raposo in a flyweight bout. His weight cut troubles have persisted as he recently missed weight for a bantamweight bout against Caolan Loughran and again went on to win. His UFC record stands at 3-3.

LAS VEGAS – Dana White would rather UFC Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone didn’t come out of retirement.

Cerrone (36-17-2 MMA, 23-14-1 UFC) announced that he plans on competing two more times in the UFC to reach his 50-fight milestone under the Zuffa banner, including his time in WEC. White is a big fan of “Cowboy” but not a fan of his desire to fight again. If it’s about money, White is willing to work something out with Cerrone.

“I hate it,” White said after Dana White’s Contender Series 76 on Tuesday. “Love him, hate that. He retired. It’s just for what? What’s left to prove? If you want to make money, let’s figure something else out. I hate it. When guys retire, they retire for a reason. They retire because they know it’s over. I think that – not just this sport but any professional sport, it’s hard to walk away from. Not just the money, that’s obviously a very hard part of it, but the feeling of walking out of that tunnel, the feeling of getting in the cage, and the place is packed.

“Every time we’re at a show, when you show ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone on the screen, the place goes nuts. He’s beloved. He’s beloved because the guy goes to war, and he’s been in wars for years. It’s time to not go to war anymore, man. There’s nothing left to prove for him.”

Cerrone hung up his gloves in July 2022 after a submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276. The former title challenger was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.

A new fight has been added to the upcoming UFC Macau card as Nikolas Motta faces off with Maheshate as part of the promotion’s return to China on Nov. 23.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Wednesday with bout agreements issued in the lightweight matchup.

Motta, a five-fight veteran of the UFC, returns to action after scoring an impressive finish over highly-touted prospect Tom Nolan in just 63 seconds back in January. That victory brought Motta’s UFC record to 2-2 with one no-contest along the way.

He’ll attempt to score back-to-back wins for the first time since joining the UFC roster when he meets Maheshate, who gets the chance to fight in his home country when he returns in November.

A Contender Series veteran, Maheshate defeated known finisher Steve Garcia in his UFC debut back in 2022 but then suffered losses in his next two fights. He got back on track with his most recent fight where he defeated Gabriel Benitez in April.

Now Maheshate meets Motta in a lightweight showdown as part of the UFC Macau card headlined by former champions Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo meeting in a key matchup in the bantamweight division.