By his own admission, UFC CEO Dana White has been talking about getting into the boxing game for a while.
Apart from dipping the UFC’s proverbial toes in the water with things like Zuffa Boxing and the backing of the sport and boxers like Callum Walsh on UFC Fight Pass, it’s been much ado about little.
But that may be changing.
At a Thursday pre-fight Q&A for Friday’s Walsh fight against Przemyslaw Runowski on Fight Pass, White said news is coming soon that will include, in some fashion, White and the UFC in the boxing world in an official capacity.
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“There will be some big announcements soon,” White said. “If you know anything about me and you go back and look at anything that I’ve ever said, I never say anything that I don’t do – ever. I’ve never said (something I don’t do), and we’ve been kicking the whole boxing thing around for a long time. You’ve never heard me commit and say ‘I’m in.’ I’m in.”
In the past few years, White has pushed Power Slap alongside the UFC, and now a third official venture may soon enter the fray.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday (16:30 BST) in a mouth-watering match in the Premier League.
But, with fully-fit squads, which Man City and Arsenal players make your combined XI? Ederson or Raya? Rodri or Rice? Saka or Foden? Have a go and share with your friends.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA is back for the second time in 2024 – and its current lineup has more names with UFC notoriety than anything the promotion has put on to date.
This iteration of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA takes place Nov. 15 at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. The promotion is headed by “Gambred” himself, former UFC star Jorge Masvidal, along with longtime combat sports promoter Dean Toole.
Over a dozen former UFC fighters have been confirmed the event with eight fights officially announced by the promotion. Scroll below to see who’s set to scrap.
Peter Barrett
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 12: (R-L) Peter Barrett punches Chase Hooper in their featherweight bout during the UFC 256 event at UFC APEX on December 12, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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MMA record: 17-6 UFC record: 0-2 Years in UFC: 2020 Gamebred fight: Lightweight vs. Charles Rosa (18-8)
Randy Costa
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 19: Randy Costa reacts after his knockout victory over Journey Newsom in their bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
MMA record: 7-4 UFC record: 2-4 Years in UFC: 2019-2022 Gamebred fight: Bantamweight vs. Brandon Davis (14-11)
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Brandon Davis
Apr 13, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brandon Davis (red gloves) reacts after defeating Randy Costa (not pictured) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. Davis won by submission in the second round. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
MMA record: 14-11 UFC record: 2-7 Years in UFC: 2018-2019, 2021-2022 Gamebred fight: Bantamweight vs. Randy Costa (7-4)
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Maurice Greene
Maurice Greene.
MMA record: 11-9 UFC record: 4-4 Years in UFC: 2018-2021 Gamebred fight: Heavyweight vs. Chase Sherman (16-12)
Guto Inocente
Jul 6, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Guto Inocente enters the octagon for a heavyweight fight against Derrick Lewis (not pictured) at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA record: 10-6 UFC record: 0-2 Years in UFC: 2014 Gamebred fight: TBA
Jason Knight
Jason Knight
MMA record: 22-7 UFC record: 4-5 Years in UFC: 2015-2018 Gamebred fight: Catchweight vs. Joshua Weems (12-3)
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Kevin Lee
MMA record: 19-8 UFC record: 11-8 Years in UFC: 2014-2021, 2023 Gamebred fight: TBA
Curtis Millender
Dec 29, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Curtis Millender (red gloves) fights Siyar Bahadurzada (blue gloves) during UFC 232 at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA record: 21-10 UFC record: 3-2 Years in UFC: 2018-2019 Gamebred fight: Catchweight vs. Jesse Robson (26-12)
Alex Nicholson
MMA record: 16-10 UFC record: 1-3 Years in UFC: 2016-2017 Gamebred fight: Heavyweight vs. Frank Tate (7-7)
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Jesse Ronson
MMA record: 26-12 UFC record: 0-5 Years in UFC: 2013-2014, 2020-2022 Gamebred fight: Catchweight vs. Curtis Millender (21-10)
Charles Rosa
Jul 23, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Nathaniel Wood (red gloves) and Charles Rosa (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
MMA record: 18-8 UFC record: 5-8 Years in UFC: 2014-2022 Gamebred fight: Lightweight vs. Peter Barrett (17-6)
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Alessio Sakara
MMA record: 20-13 UFC record: 6-8 Years in UFC: 2005-2013 Gamebred fight: Light heavyweight vs. Prince McLean (9-10)
Chase Sherman
Chase Sherman
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MMA record: 16-12 UFC record: 4-11 Years in UFC: 2016-2018, 2020-2023 Gamebred fight: Heavyweight vs. Maurice Greene (11-9)
Joshua Weems
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Joshua Weems punches Christian Rodriguez in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 29, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
MMA record: 12-3 UFC record: 0-1 Years in UFC: 2022 Gamebred fight: Catchweight vs. Jason Knight (22-7)
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Full fight card
Randy Costa vs. Brandon Davis – for bantamweight title
Kevin Lee vs. TBA
Peter Barrett vs. Charles Rosa
Jason Knight vs. Joshua Weems
Maurice Greene vs. Chase Sherman
Curtis Millender vs. Jesse Ronson
Prince McLean vs. Alessio Sakara
Alex Nicholson vs. Frank Tate
Guto Inocente vs. TBA
Jeff Denton vs. Mike Sanford
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
Ever since Paul made the transition from YouTube influencer to professional boxer, he has argued for better fighter pay in both boxing and MMA, the latter of which has drawn the attention and ire of UFC CEO White. Paul and White have engaged in a public war of words over the topic, with the feud becoming increasingly personal.
On his BS podcast, Paul laid out the conditions under which he would back off from the conversation, with his withdrawal contingent on White increasing pay for the lesser known fighters on the UFC roster.
“The only thing I’ve really asked for is for the minimum fighter pay which is $12,500 to be changed to $50,000,” Paul said. “So that if fighters who have to work multiple jobs, if they fight once a year even, they would still be able to live off of that and if it was twice a year, they’d make a hundred grand, which is great.
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“But now, if they’re fighting once a year, it’s $12,500, or twice a year would be $25,000. So that’s been my only ask to Dana to change, and that would only cost the UFC $20 million annually. So it seems like you made three, four billion dollars, why not just give a little bit more to the fighters? It’s only $20 million. That’s been my biggest thing. Make that change and I’ll shut the f*ck up.”
White’s name came up when guest Steve-O claimed that he and White actually watched Paul’s August 2023 bout against former UFC star Nate Diaz together. That story would contradict White’s claim that he “stopped paying attention” to Paul’s fighting career after “The Problem Child” lost to Tommy Fury seven months prior to the Diaz fight.
In Paul’s eyes, the only reason there’s beef between them at all is because White doesn’t want to hear what he has to say when it comes to boosting fighter compensation.
“I could talk about all the intricate details about this shit all day long, but it’s definitely when I started talking about this, that’s when Dana White was like, ‘Jake Paul does steroids. Jake Paul’s fights are rigged. Jake Paul this, Jake Paul that,’” Paul said. “So he’s the one that started all the personal rumors. ‘Jake Paul doesn’t sell. Jake Paul won’t fight Anderson Silva.’
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“He’s been the biggest voice of oppression to me because I’m the only one, literally in the whole entire fight business, who can talk back to him. There’s probably four people who can, but I’m the only one who has the balls to do it.”
Longtime MMA veteran Josh Barnett discussed his issues with Paul’s plan on X.
Just goes to show that you can be given a mic but that doesn’t mean you know what you’re talking about.
There is ZERO problems with “minimum pay” in the UFC.
-Contract structure and clauses? You’ve got an argument there. -Pay and Incentives for main event and those whose IP is… https://t.co/pY5SwMuYDy
Ask Luke Riley, and he’ll admit, “It’s been a bit of a mad camp.”
For months, Riley (9-0) has prepared for the biggest fight of his life, though the circumstances changed drastically due to elements outside his control.
“I felt a bit stuck, just a bit lost,” Riley said recently to MMA Junkie. “But I stayed in the gym. Obviously it kept me a bit sane getting there.”
Riley, 25, is the next generation of Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, England, the home of UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann.
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To have a Dana White’s Contender Series fight scheduled for Sept. 24 was elating. To have it then canceled due to visa issues was a bitter pill to swallow.
From age nine, preparing for fights has taken priority – over school, over work, over everything.
“When people were studying for exams, I was in Thailand hitting the pads,” Riley laughed. “I’d come back and the teachers would be like, ‘Luke, what the f*ck? Where have you been?’ I’d like, ‘I’ve just in Thailand. I’ve just been fighting in Thailand.’ They’d say, ‘Oh, you can’t do that, Luke.’ My mom was on my side. They knew fighting came first. It wasn’t school and then fighting, for me. It was fighting and then school.
“Fighting is No. 1, and it always has been. … I know people say there’s a lot more to life, but this moment in my life from since I’ve very first started fighting, it’s been a promise; it’s the first thing that comes first, before anything in my life.”
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Riley is confident the issue will be resolved before the UFC circles back, so waiting on the shelf was an option – but it was not a remedy. Riley elected to compete again and will headline Cage Warriors 178 vs. Alexandre Junior (6-2) on Saturday in Manchester, England (UFC Fight Pass).
“I spoke to Graham (Boylan) and basically said I need to get back in the cage,” Riley said. “He got me on the Manchester show and then obviously the title fight. … I’m very happy, mate. … It’s not like I’m done forever. When it comes back around, it’ll all be sorted out. That’s why I’m happy.”
Despite his age, Riley’s level-headedness is beyond his years, majorly due to the influences he’s surrounded himself with professionally.
“Paddy is one of my best mates,” Riley said. “We have a lot in common in life. We’re just two normal lads, mate. Obviously, where he is now in his career, it’s inspiring. Sh*t, it’s more than that. He’s like an older brother, someone to look up to. I love to be in the gym with him.”
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Being “Paddy’s guy” comes with a lot of attention. Whether it’s good or bad, it’s an extra angle of the fight game many youngsters don’t have to deal with. Riley, however, takes it all in stride. Seeing how Pimblett embraced it all made it easier for Riley to do the same.
“Obviously, all the Paddy haters are going to jump on whoever he’s going to mention,” Riley said. “He recently turned all the haters back around to fans again. I think that’s how fickle the MMA fans are. It’s just one of them, mate. You can’t stress over people on Twitter or Instagram or you’re not much of a fighter, are you? … He’s on a much larger scale than me. But even the likes of him, who has never lost, he’s still got haters. I’ve got to take it in stride and not bother me and just carry on going, mate. Back on.”
Like Pimblett, the confidence oozes from Riley, who dreams big and sounds so convincing he’s going to do everything to make them reality.
Even with knowledge the UFC is already interested, Riley aims to exceed the wildest expectations. Perhaps there’s a way he can convince the promotion to sign him, even knowing his travel abilities will be limited (at least for now).
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“A lot of built-up f*cking… I don’t even know what the word would be. It’s not even anger. It’s built-up emotion,” Riley said. “I’m just looking to put a statement on, mate, basically. I want to make a statement to the UFC. I feel like I’m on the radar already. But after the performance I’m going to put on, they’re going to be like, ‘F*cking hell. Let’s sign this kid. I don’t know what we were thinking putting him on the Contender. This Luke, we need to sign him ASAP.’ That’s the type of performance I’m looking to put on.”
Whether it’s tomorrow, next month, or next year, Riley is confident he’ll live out his UFC dream one day. He’s in this to be the best and with an unblemished record, no one has thrown him off that path.
“Today, I could step in the octagon against anyone in the 145-pound division and win,” Riley said. “Mate, I’m willing to f*cking fight anyone. I believe I would beat anyone. I wouldn’t be in this sport to be f*cking having a 9-5.
“… If I was older and I was 35 instead of 25, I’d be honest. You’d see in interviews me saying, ‘He needs to hurry up.’ … There’s only one person you’re racing and that’s yourself. I’m a young kid, so I’ve got a lot of time. So no stress. Let’s see what happens after this one after I knock this kid out.”
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Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of combat sports.
Taking to Instagram with a response to O’Malley, Dvalishvili trolled the former champion with a video showing him acting as a disapproving father towards O’Malley.
“What the f*ck, bro?! What’s going on? Sean, is that you my friend? What’s wrong with you, bro? Why do you keep smoking, my friend? I thought you were just sleeping now. It’s sleep time for you, bro. Come on, bro.
“Listen son, don’t worry about this Umar Nurmagomedov. I will take care of Umar. You’re not a champion anymore. I’m going to take belt from you again, so you drive safe, son. Let’s go Sean. No more smoking. Drive safe.”
Regardless of O’Malley’s claims, Dvalishvili remains the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion and appears poised to defend his title against either Umar Nurmagomedov or possible Deiveson Figueiredo sometime next year. Meanwhile, O’Malley is headed for surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip and will be out of action for at least six months.
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