After becoming the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway at UFC 308, featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) continued to express interest in a fight with lightweight champion Makhachev.
Topuria is confident that he can submit Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), but American Kickboxing Academy head coach Mendez thinks it wouldn’t be wise for Topuria to tangle with Makhachev on the ground.
“That would be an area I’d be foolish to want to try to go up against, boxing for boxing,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “That’s not a smart move, you know? And it just would be like, if Ilia decided to go submission for submission with Islam, that’s not a smart move on his part either. So it’s all strategy and how you approach it, how your fighter approaches it and, what mistakes you can correct while the fight is going on.
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“That’s what I think is more important than anything. When the fight does get matched, it’s just your game plan, your strategy, executing it. Whether he can hang with Islam or not on the ground, I would have to say no. Based on what I see with everybody and Islam. The only person that really did the most with him was Khabib, and at the end of the day, the longer you grapple with Islam, the worse it’s going to get.”
Mendez dubbed Topuria as the best boxer in all of MMA, and even though Makhachev has proven he can stand with the best, he wouldn’t advise him to do so against Topuria.
“I mean, when he took Max down with ease in the first round, I said, ‘That’s the way you fight MMA,’ and he has a very strong stand-up game,” Mendez said of Topuria. “I would think that he’s probably the best boxer in the whole entire division. He’s really crisp and very on point with his boxing, and therefore you see how he uses it really, really well. He’s a complete fighter, but his boxing, I think, is his best attribute out of everything he does. He’s impressive, very impressive.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
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Wade started the game at left-back before moving to a more advanced left-wing role late in the game, a planned move from Oxtoby which paid dividends.
“We dropped her a bit deeper to give us something from the deeper spaces, with the view that she was going to go forward at the end of the game when they were tiring a bit to give us that bit of quality and balance,” she explained.
“What a goal, I’m really happy for her.”
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The Australian, who admitted that Northern Ireland had practised penalties yesterday and were “prepared” for a shootout, conceded that her overriding feeling when the goal went in was relief.
“I felt like it was coming, and I’m really pleased with that reward for the effort,” she continued.
“We had to dig in when the momentum wasn’t with us and make changes to be able to grind out the result and I’m glad the players have a moment to enjoy.”
Now Northern Ireland’s attentions turn to preparing for the daunting task of the second-round play-off in November against Norway, who beat Albania 14-0 on aggregate in the first round.
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“It’s a great challenge for this young group, one we won’t shy away from, and we said all along, if we want to get to a Euros we have to beat the best teams.
“The prep has already started, it started before this window, with such a short turnaround, we had to make sure we’re ready to go,” she added.
“We’ll enjoy tonight, and the rest of the week and we get going next week.”
A few notable trades have already taken place with the deadline approaching. Will any other team make a big move between now and the deadline? The trade deadline is on Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET. Here’s every notable trade that’s been made before deadline day.
Key stats: The 29-year-old Robinson has started 91 games in his career. He’s allowed four sacks this season but just two pressures in the last five weeks.
What else is involved: The Jaguars will receive a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick that can become a fourth-round pick based on playing time. The Vikings will also receive a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder that can go away based on playing time.
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Why it matters: Minnesota lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season when he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in Week 8. At 5-2, the Vikings are in the playoff hunt, while the 2-6 Jaguars are a postseason long shot. Robinson is in the final year of his contract.
Key stats: Johnson has 30 catches on 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for the Panthers this season. It’s his first year in Carolina after an up-and-down five-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which included a Pro Bowl not in 2021.
Who else is involved: Carolina is also sending a 2025 sixth-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens’ fifth-round pick.
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Why it matters: The Ravens wasted little time boosting their offense after a surprising upset loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Johnson not only has deep familiarity with the AFC North — and especially the Steelers, the Ravens’ biggest rival and once again their biggest obstacle in the division — but also slots in nicely as a No. 2 wide receiver behind the speedy Zay Flowers for Lamar Jackson to throw to.
Key stats: Uche has two sacks, 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits this season. The second-round pick out of Michigan in 2020 has primarily been a rotation piece throughout his career in New England, though he did have a career-high 11.5 sacks in a breakout 2022 campaign.
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What else is involved: The Patriots are receiving a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Chiefs.
Why it matters: Much like the Patriots often were during the dynastic days of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Chiefs have built a defense worthy of winning games on its own while still having an all-time great quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Uche does not fill a need nearly as drastic as the Chiefs had at wide receiver before trading for DeAndre Hopkins, as Kansas City is led by its pass-rush and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. But Uche still gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo some quality depth on the edge.
Key stats: Jones has recorded 44 total tackles and six stuffs in six games so far this season. Baker has recorded 37 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and 2.5 stuffs in five games this season.
What else is involved: The Titans are receiving a fourth-round pick from the Seahawks.
Why it matters: Even though the Seahawks went 4-3 through their first seven games, they’ve struggled against the run. They’ve allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (146.1) and yards per attempt against (five) through the first seven weeks of the season. Jones has been one of the league’s best tackles over the last few years, recording 145 total tackles in 2023 after posting a 114-tackle season in 2022. As for the Titans, the trade further solidifies their seller approach ahead of the trade deadline amid their 1-5 start to the season. The Titans acquired Jones from the Rams in August, giving up a fifth-round pick while surrendering a sixth-round pick in the deal.
Key stats: 15 catches, 173 yards, 1 receiving touchdown in six games (three starts). Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Has seven seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. Led NFL in touchdown catches in 2017, with 13.
What else is involved: The Chiefs are sending a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans.
Why it matters: The 32-year-old Hopkins gives QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs a much-needed target in a WR corp that has been hit by injuries. The Chiefs lost wide receiver Marquise Brown, one of their top free-agent signings, to shoulder surgery prior to the start of the season. Second-year star Rashee Rice sustained a season-ending knee injury last month against the Chargers, and veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is out after hurting his hamstring in last Sunday’s win over the 49ers.
Key stats: 18 receptions, 209 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown in three games. Recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons.
What else is involved: The Jets are sending the Raiders a conditional 2025 third-round pick. The pick will become a second-round pick if Adams is named to an All-Pro team or he’s on the active roster if the Jets make it to the AFC Championship Game.
Why it matters: The move reunites one of the game’s best receivers over the last five seasons with the quarterback he’s had the most success with. Adams helped Aaron Rodgers win MVP in the 2020 and 2021 seasons when bothe were with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets’ offense hasn’t gotten off to a great start, ranking 22nd in total offense (304.3 yards per game) and 23rd in scoring (18.8 points per game) through the first six weeks. Adams joins a wide receiver corps that has Garrett Wilson and fellow ex-Packer Allen Lazard, who have had some success catching passes from Rodgers this season.
Key stats: 24 receptions, 250 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns. Recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons.
What else is involved: The Bills are sending the Browns a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Buffalo will also receive a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Why it matters: After trading Stefon Diggs in the offseason, the Bills never really replaced him. They selected wide receiver Keon Coleman early in the second round of the NFL Draft and made a couple of low-investment signings at the position (Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins). While the Bills are off to a 4-2 start, Khalil Shakir is their leading receiver this season with just 20 receptions for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper instantly provides Josh Allen with the star-level top-tier wide receiver he’s lacked since Diggs’ departure.
Key stats: 147 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 1 rushing touchdown in five games.
What else is involved: The Vikings are sending the Texans a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. Minnesota is also receiving a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick.
Why it matters: Vikings starting running back Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury in Week 5 and his status for the next few games is uncertain. Akers also has familiarity with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He played under him for two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams when O’Connell was the offensive coordinator, and then Akers reunited with O’Connell in Minnesota last season, where he rushed for 138 yards on 3.6 yards per carry and a touchdown in six games after being dealt there from the Rams last season. While Akers had played in five games with 40 rushing attempts for the Texans this year, his role there was set to diminish following the return of Joe Mixon from a Week 2 hip injury.
Key stats: 7 combined tackles, 2 sacks in six games
What else is involved: The Seahawks are sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jaguars.
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Why it matters: After starting the season 3-0, the Seahawks have struggled defensively over their last three games. They rank 27th in run defense (144.6 rushing yards per game) following Week 6. Rookie defensive tackle Bryon Murphy has also missed the Seahawks’ last three games.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from October 2024: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Submission of the Month award for October.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
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Nominees
Nominee: Court McGee def. Tim Means at UFC 307
Court McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) the job done at home when he arguably needed to most against Tim Means (33-17-1 MMA, 15-14 UFC) for his first octagon finish since October 2010.
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McGee’s game plan appeared to be executed to a tee. He dragged Means from the clinch to the ground, largely avoiding damage, and worked for the back of Means, which he eventually found for the rear-naked choke and tap.
Nominee: Ryan Spann def Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 307
Ryan Spann (22-10 MMA, 8-5 UFC) once again showed what he’s capable of when he’s on top of his game with a vicious finish of Ovince Saint Preux (27-18 MMA, 15-13 UFC).
With his back against the wall on a three-fight losing skid, Spann came out of the gate and hurt Saint Preux early in the light heavyweight bout. As his opponent tried to recover, Spann snatched the neck and forced his way on top with a guillotine choke that forced Saint Preux to frantically tap out in just 95 seconds.
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Nominee: Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail at PFL: Battle of the Giants
Taha Bendaoud (4-0) pulled off a remarkable comeback against Tariq Ismail (8-1), rallying from a tough pair of rounds to pull off a miraculous submission late in the second of the featherweight contest.
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Nominee: Jonathan Micallef def. Mohamed Ado at Dana White’s Contender Series 76
In a transition-filled grapple-fest, Jonathan Micallef put Mohamed Ado to sleep to earn a UFC contract in their welterweight clash.
Micallef (7-1) locked in a slick triangle choke at the midway point of the opening round and in a matter of seconds Ado (5-1) was taking a nap on the canvas while the winner celebrated his big moment.
The winner
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The winner: Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker at UFC 308
Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former champion Robert Whittaker (27-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) to secure a face crank submission at the 3:34 mark of Round 1. The middleweight bout was the UFC 308 co-main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Less than 20 seconds into the fight, Chimaev stormed in with a takedown. He was able to get one hook in as he worked for the rear-naked choke. Whittaker defended well, as Chimaev continously tried to drag him down. Chimaev finally took his back, but Whittaker exploded out. However, Chimaev was able to jump on his back again. His pressure proved to be too much as he was finally able to get across Whittaker’s face, forcing him to tap quickly.
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Still undefeated, Chimaev matched his energy on the mic, urging the UFC to give him a title shot.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
There was plenty of change against South Africa, as promised by Wiegman this week, and she said it led to some of the sloppiness on show.
England were caught out on numerous occasions at the back, with not just Williamson making errors.
“We swapped players in different positions so that’s not easy to adapt to and to get the right connections,” said Wiegman.
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“Maya le Tissier moved from the right side to the left side and Ella Toone came into a different position [in midfield]. That needs some time.
“I saw some struggles so we have to get through that and try to take the sloppiness out.
“We want to keep playing forward and getting better connected with players in different positions. I ask a lot from them.”
Earlier this week, Wiegman said England needed to deal with criticism as expectations have grown around her side.
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As well as claiming the Euro 2022 crown on home soil, they reached the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.
While these two friendly performances did not assure supporters they will be up to scratch when Euro 2025 kicks off next July, there is certainly no need to panic.
England have two more friendlies this year against Olympic gold medallists the United States – managed by former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes – and Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland on 30 November and 3 December respectively.
Wiegman insists she wants to use these matches to “gain information” that will help them at Euro 2025, and has been pleased with what she has gathered so far.
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“I think we still have more questions, but that was what we said to each other before this camp. We don’t need to have all the answers now,” said Wiegman.
“We have two more games [this year] and we’re just trying to get as much information as possible. We want to see more players.
“Some players have to be a little more patient than others but we are moving forward and we need these games to try out different things to be better later on.
“We put players in other positions that we wanted to see [against South Africa]. This is the moment to do that.
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“Some things I was really happy with, and in other moments, of course, we can improve.”
Ilia Topuria’s seismic knockout of Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event this past Saturday will have plenty of aftershock ripples. One of them comes in the form of the pound-for-pound rankings.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), the UFC’s first champion from Spain, defended his featherweight title with a third-round finish of ex-champ Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Holloway never had been knocked out in his lengthy career and was coming off the monumental “BMF” title moment against Justin Gaethje.
It makes sense that Topuria takes a short climb up the ladder of the pound-for-pound rankings, and in this case, he will jump from No. 6 past Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou into third. Take a look at the fallout from that, as well as movement in other divisions after key UFC 308 results, as well, in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.
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