ABU DHABI – What initially started years ago as a distant yet respectful relationship (at least publicly) between the UFC and PFL has slowly turned into a bit of a feud.

Days after PFL: Battle of the Giants took place, Dana White was asked about recent claims made by Donn Davis that PFL was beating UFC in some statistical categories. Unsurprisingly, White did not agree. What was a surprise was that he came prepared with a printout and rattled off statistical comparisons between Power Slap and PFL.

“First of all, the PFL should keep the UFC out of their mouth,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday. “They can’t even deal with Power Slap. Power Slap destroys PFL. It’s weird that you ask those questions because I just happen to have some papers here.”

After listing off stats of social media posts and views, White took exception with Davis’ interview Wednesday with MMA Fighting, during which the PFL CEO claimed he does not watch MMA outside of his own brand.

“I can keep going on for a f*cking month here,” White said. “Then, if you want to get into what he said about the UFC, I have a laundry list here. But let me just start with this: UFC Vegas 84 at the Apex beat them. So listen, I understand and I love the stuff that he said. He sounds like Kamala (Harris). He talks a lot but says nothing. I would hate to be one of that guys’ investors. ‘I don’t watch MMA. I’ve worked seven years and have never taken a vacation.’ You should probably take a vacation. You’re out of your f*cking mind, dude. You should probably take a vacation.

“I have a list here. I will have Lenee (Breckenridge) get you guys this list of all these numbers. But that guy shouldn’t even mention the UFC. He’s not even in Power Slap’s (realm). Then today he was talking about how ‘there’s all kinds of combination packages and stuff how this works.’ He doesn’t beat Power Slap in revenue. He doesn’t beat Power Slap in ticket sales. He doesn’t beat Power Slap in sponsorship. He doesn’t beat Power Slap in anything, let alone the UFC.”

Prior to PFL’s acquisition of Bellator in late 2023, the promotion was not frequently mentioned by White in interviews. However, now that the landscape has changed, White has been asked about PFL with increased frequency. He initially spoke with respect when talking about PFL, Davis, and the rest of the ownership group.

Over time, however, the jockeying for credit in the public arena has increased. PFL and Davis have attempted to paint themselves in the same light as the UFC in a more aggressive manner than former Bellator president Scott Coker did during his tenure as the UFC’s biggest competitor.

In response, White’s putdowns have also picked up. On a nearly weekly basis during Dana White’s Contender Series, White would be asked about PFL – and gladly embrace the opportunity to talk down on the brand.

Dana White nearly cut Francis Ngannou from the UFC years before he left of his own volition.

Earlier this month, Ngannou made his long-awaited return to MMA, knocking out Renan Ferreira in the first round of their heavyweight matchup at PFL: Battle of the Giants. The fight was Ngannou’s first since leaving the UFC as heavyweight champion in 2023 and re-ignited a simmering feud between the 38-year-old fighter and his former boss.

The basis of the dispute between White and Ngannou is part of the reason why “The Predator” chose not to re-sign with the UFC based on the terms that were offered. During a Power Slap press conference on Thursday, White doubled down on his declaration that Ngannou could have made more money staying in the UFC, but this time added a new wrinkle: He actually wanted to cut Ngannou from the promotion in 2018.

“Francis is all about the money,” White said. “Francis left because he knew that if he fought Jon Jones and didn’t win, it would hurt his chances of making the money that he wanted to make. But realistically, his deal was bigger here. His deal was bigger here if he stayed in the UFC. … They can deny it all they want, why the f*ck would I lie? Why do I care? It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.

“I was going to cut Francis when he lost two in a row. I was going to cut him. Somebody around here begged me not to do it. So it wouldn’t have mattered to me, one way or the other. There’s a much deeper story to this whole thing and he would have made more money if he stayed in the UFC.”

Ngannou dropped back-to-back fights in 2018, falling to Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title in their first encounter and then losing a decision to Derrick Lewis six months later in a fight widely considered to be one of the worst in modern UFC history.

Of course after those losses, Ngannou went on his current run, stringing together four first-round knockouts to earn a second crack at Miocic. He won the rematch via second-round knockout to claim the UFC heavyweight title.

Ngannou then defended his title against Ciryl Gane and while many fans hoped he would return to the promotion for a showdown against Jon Jones, he opted to sign with the PFL in free agency.

For White, that was the end of his focus on Ngannou.

“He didn’t want to fight Jon Jones, that’s a fact, and we’re moving on,” White said. “Obviously, everybody loves Tom Aspinall and wants to see Jones and Aspinall, or Stipe and Aspinall. I feel like when Stipe and Jon were young — Jon was 23, youngest champion in UFC history — somebody gave him an opportunity. I think that Stipe and Jon, whoever wins should give Aspinall the same opportunity they had.”

Jones and Miocic are set to fight for the heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 309 next month. With interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall waiting for his shot at the undisputed title, the bout has faced criticism, particularly with both Miocic and Jones potentially teasing retirement afterward.

But for White, he believes that’s just posturing and fans will ultimately get the fight they want for Aspinall.

“I think both Jon and Stipe will say they’re going to retire because they’re going to start negotiating,” White said. “And what the negotiation is, we will get the deal done.”

UFC 309 takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

ABU DHABI – Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix still hopes to see Leandro Higo soon.

Mix (20-1) was scheduled to defend his title against Higo (23-6) in the Bellator Championship Series: Paris main event on Nov. 16, but the event was canceled. In the meantime, Mix has opted to remain active by competing at ADXC 6 on Friday, where he’ll face former ONE Championship title holder Kairat Akhmetov in a no-gi grappling match.

“I want to stay active, and just because I’m staying active does not mean Leandro Higo is off the hook,” Mix told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “When they rebook this, he will be done in two rounds, and I’m hoping he’s watching me this weekend. … I feel like this fight will be rebooked early next year, and we’ll see how it goes, but I’m ready for it.”

Mix hasn’t gotten official word yet on what’s next but is open to defending his belt against anyone – including Raufeon Stots, who called for a rematch after submitting Marcos Breno this past Saturday at PFL: Battle of the Giants.

“I want them all, every one of them,” Mix said. “I’ve taken out everyone in the top five of my division, I’ve fought Magomedov twice, and it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen Raufeon Stots win. There’s a ton of guys out there, and it doesn’t matter who, it just matters when. You can send anybody, but you can’t send anyone you want back.”

PFL founder Donn Davis alluded to MMA Fighting that the Bellator brand might no longer exist in 2025. When asked his reaction, Mix said he just hopes to keep drawing top-level competition.

“As long as I keep getting these big fights, like there’s humongous names over there at PFL that I personally like,” Mix said. “Brendan Loughnane’s been killing it, he’s in the finale this year, he’s a world champion in the past. There are so many exciting fights, so I haven’t heard that.

“But no matter what it is, I’m just excited for the future. Like I said, I’m in my prime of my career, and I just want to prove to the world what I know, and that’s I’m the best 135-pound bantamweight walking in the world today, right now.”

The player rating in EA Sports’ “College Football 25” is starting to resemble the Heisman leaderboard.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s overall rating in the video game increased by a point, moving up to a 97 overall to tie him for the highest-rated player in “College Football 25,” EA Sports shared in its latest ratings update on Thursday. Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan‘s Will Johnson were previously the only other players to have a 97 rating in the game. Neither of their ratings moved in the latest update.

Jeanty has taken the college football world by storm this fall. He leads the country in rushing (1,248 yards) by more than 200 yards and is averaging a whopping 9.9 yards per carry. He’s also tied for first among all running backs in rushing touchdowns, reaching the end zone 17 times this year. Additionally, Jeanty has rushed for at least 180 yards in five of Boise State’s first six games.

As Jeanty has dominated his competition this season, he has quickly surged up the odds board for the Heisman. Entering Week 9, he is the favorite to win the award at +220. Hunter was close behind Jeanty a couple of weeks ago, with his odds of winning the award moving to +350 on Oct. 6. But a shoulder injury has limited Hunter’s snaps over Colorado’s past two games, causing his odds to drop to +2200. 

Miami (Fla.) quarterback Cam Ward now has the second-best odds to win the Heisman (+260), and he saw his rating in “College Football 25” increase on Thursday as well. It was bumped by two points, making him a 93 overall. Ward leads the nation in passing yards (2,538) and passing touchdowns (24) to go with 190 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

While Ward is second on the Heisman odds board, he isn’t the highest-rated quarterback in “College Football 25.” Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is the highest-rated quarterback in the game, with his rating improving by a point to 94 in the latest update. Sanders is fifth in the nation in passing (2,268) to go with 19 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s rating also improved by a point, making his overall rating a 93.

Is Shedeur Sanders the best QB in College Football?

Several other notable players had their overall rating increased in Thursday’s update. Star freshmen wide receivers Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Ryan Williams of Alabama were both bumped up to a 90 overall. With the increase, both are now among the 13 highest-rated wide receivers in the game. 

A pair of Penn State stars also had their overall ratings increased amid the team’s 6-0 start. Edge rusher Abdul Carter’s rating increased by three points, giving him a 94 overall. His increase makes him the second-highest-rated edge rusher in the game, trailing only Tennessee‘s James Pearce. Quarterback Drew Allar’s rating increased by two points, giving him a 91. Allar is one of the seven highest-rated quarterbacks in the game with the increase.

Other notable player ratings increases include Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Manning’s rating was bumped two points, giving him an 89 overall rating in the game after he impressed in two starts earlier this season. Johnson’s rating increased by four points, making him a 91 overall. Johnson is second in the nation in rushing (1,035 yards) and has rushed for 13 touchdowns this season. 

San Diego State edge rusher Trey White had the biggest overall rating increase in the latest update. His rating improved 15 points, moving up to an 88 overall. White is tied for the most sacks in the nation (11) and has 32 total tackles to go with a forced fumble.

There were also some players who saw their ratings decrease in the latest update. Both Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita saw their respective ratings decrease by a point. Beck, who’s now a 91 overall, has thrown for 1,993 yards and 15 touchdowns this season but has also thrown eight interceptions over the past four games. Fifita, whose rating is now at an 88, has thrown for more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) this season amid Arizona’s 3-4 start.

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Paige VanZant wasn’t happy with the result in her latest slap fighting match but she takes responsibility for the foul that ultimately led to her draw against Chelsea Dodson on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.

The former UFC fighter and BKFC veteran landed an illegal blow in the second round of her sophomore match in Power Slap, which cost her a point and ultimately the decision. It was VanZant’s second strike thrown when she was penalized for “clubbing” after connecting more of her wrist and arm than the hand, which actually opened a small cut on Dodson’s face.

As a result, VanZant lost a point and without a knockout or knockdown to help even the score in the final round, she could only earn a draw.

“Well guys, Power Slap is over,” VanZant said on her Instagram. “Went home with the draw. I accidentally clubbed. That was my fault. Still learning. I was a little bit too close on one of my shots. Just got to get my distance right for the next one. Power Slap, you’re going to see me again.”

The match, which ended with 28-28 scores across the board, was VanZant’s second appearance in the Dana White owned promotion after she debuted there back in June. On that night, VanZant earned a unanimous decision win after she ate all three shots from her opponent and actually delivered a brutal knockdown along the way.

VanZant later stated that Power Slap was supposed to be a “bucket list” item to check off for her combat sports career but she enjoyed it so much that she booked a second match ahead of UFC 308 weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Despite the disappointing result, VanZant has now vowed to return with hopes to return to the win column in her next appearance.

ABU DHABI – Dana White might have other plans, but Khamzat Chimaev isn’t opposed to the idea of changing his mind after Saturday.

UFC CEO White recently said a rematch with former champion Sean Strickland will be the next title defense for middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who recently defended the belt with a submission of former champ Israel Adesanya.

Du Plessis beat Strickland by unanimous decision in January to win the 185-pound strap. But among the fighters waiting in the wings is Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who on Saturday takes on another former champ, Robert Whittaker (27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC), in the UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) co-main event at Etihad Arena.

If Chimaev, more than a 2-1 favorite to stay unbeaten against Whittaker, can win impressively, is it possible he could skip past Strickland? Stranger things have happened than upheaval at the top of a UFC title picture after things apparently had been settled.

But Chimaev certainly won’t count on the idea of being next.

“I hope so, but they said that before, as well,” Chimaev said at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day in Abu Dhabi. “When I beat Gilbert Burns, I didn’t have my chance. After that was (Kamaru) Usman, and ‘if he beats Usman, he’s going to fight for the title.’ I haven’t fought (for the title) yet, so we’ll see.”

One of the things that has been holding Chimaev back in that regard, almost certainly, has been his inactivity due to health issues. He beat Burns in April 2022, but for a September fight with Nate Diaz, he botched his weight cut severely and fought Kevin Holland at middleweight, instead. But then he didn’t fight again for more than a year when he beat Usman, and his fight with Whittaker already was delayed from June.

Chimaev has dealt with lingering COVID-19 issues in the past, to go along with a mysterious illness that took him out of commission over the summer.

He’s apparently done well enough financially to not stress about his lack of activity, and insists having more money isn’t making him less hungry for a title.

“I’m happy with the money. I’m making more money than any champions,” he said before he added: “Money is not changing (me). People will be the same. I’m staying humble as I was before.”

Check out Chimaev’s full media day interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.