Tag: Ufc 303

UFC 304 live results: Two title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Manchester, England for the first time in nearly eight years for a major pay-per-view event, featuring two title fights, in the promotion’s debut at the new Co-Op Live with UFC 304.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards defends the title for the third time against challenger Belal Muhammad. The two have unfinished business as they have fought before, but that bout ended in a no contest in the second round after Muhammad was unable to continue due to an eye poke. Both are on long unbeaten streaks, with Edwards’ streak at 13 and Muhammad’s at ten.

In the co-main event, Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall defends for the first time against Curtis Blaydes in another rematch featured unfinished business. The two did step inside the Octagon across from each other in July 2022, but that fight never really got going after Aspinall suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into the fight.

Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between King Green and popular English fighter Paddy Pimblett; a middleweight bout pitting Christian Leroy Duncan against Gregory Rodrigues; and a featherweight bout between top-ten fighters Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Women’s Strawweights- Shauna Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Alice Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC)

They come out trading and both land leg kicks. Bannon lands a jab. Ardelean with a combination. Ardelean with a stiff left hand. Bannon with a combo. Bannon lands a jab. They trade before tying up against the fence. Ardelean gets a takedown despite Bannon grabbing the fence. Ardelean landing from the top as Bannon looks for an opening with her legs. Ardelean lands from the top. Bannon looking for an armbar. Bannon tried to reverse but Ardelean ends up back on top. Bannon with some elbows from the bottom. Ardelean with some shots from the top. Close round. 10-9 Bannon.

Ardelean lands a jab. They trade inside the pocket as Bannon lands a solid combo. Bannon connects with a left hand. Bannon lands a head kick. Ardelean looks for a takedown but they scramble in a tie-up and separate. Bannon lands a solid combination. Ardelean grabs the body and they go to the fence. Bannon turns around. Bannon lands while tied up. Ardelean controlling against the fence trying for a takedown and is able to get it into side control. Ardelean has a headlock in as Bannon is trying to work to the back. Ardelean with some right hands. Bannon lands from the back at the end. 10-9 Ardelean, 19-19.

They trade and Bannon lands a nice right hand. Bannon with a pair of body kicks. Ardelean lands a right hand. Bannon lands a right hand and a body kick. Ardelean with a right hand. They both land in close range then Bannon lands a combo. Ardelean with a right hand. Bannon continues to land more as they stay on the feet. They trade inside the pocket. Bannon with a combo as Ardelean lands a jab. Bannon with a left hand. Bannon with a push kick then a combination. They trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Bannon, 29-28 Bannon.

Official Result- Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- Mick Parkin (9-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-4-1 1 NC, 1-3 UFC)

Brzeski lands a leg kick and they trade in close range. They tie up and Brzeski lands to the body. Parkin with a jab and leg kick. Parkin lands a right hand. They trade combinations. Brzeski lands a calf kick. Parkin with a right hand. They trade and Parkin lands a big flurry that drops Brzeski and finishes it off with some shots from the top. Huge finish from Parkin!

Official Result- Mick Parkin def. Lukasz Brzeski by knockout (punches) at 3:23 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Sam Patterson (11-2-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (10-4, 0-1 UFC)

Patterson with a combo as Crosbie lands some leg kicks. Patterson with a front kick. Patterson with a combo and Crosbie lands a right hand. Brief timeout for a groin strike before they trade as they get back going. Patterson lands an uppercut and they tie up against the fence. Patterson gets a takedown into mount and is working for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and is adjusting. He has it in tight and Crosbie taps! What a showing from Patterson.

Official Result- Sam Patterson def. Kiefer Crosbie by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:50 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Modestas Bukauskas (15-6, 3-4 UFC) vs. Marcin Prachnio (17-7, 4-5 UFC)

Prachnio with some leg and body kicks early. Bukauskas lands a big left hand and Prachnio lands a leg kick. He lands another. Bukauskas with a body kick. Bukauskas lands a left hand. Prachnio with a leg kick. Prachnio with a big left hand. Bukauskas with a combination. They tie up and trade knees. Bukauskas with a spinning elbow as they break. Bukauskas hurts Prachnio with a combo. Prachnio with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a head kick and Prachnio backs up. 10-9 Bukauskas.

They start by trading some wild punches. Bukauskas with some leg kicks. Prachnio lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a stiff jab. Bukauskas hurts Prachnio with a right hand and lands then Prachnio lands a head kick that backs Bukauskas up. They are throwing wildly. They tie up and Bukauskas pushes it to the fence. Prachnio with some knees and they separate. Bukauskas gets a takedown and Prachnio holds the fence for several seconds. Bukauskas with an elbow. Bukauskas is in side control and lands a knee. They get up late. Close round. 10-9 Bukauskas, 20-18 Bukauskas.

Prachnio landing big punches to start the third and Bukauskas is backing up. They clinch up and Bukauskas gets a takedown. Bukauskas in half-guard and looking for a choke. Bukauskas landing from the top as Prachnio is stuck on the bottom. Bukauskas with a pair of elbows. Bukauskas trying for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and Prachnio taps! Bukauskas with the late submission win.

Official Result- Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:12 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Oban Elliott (10-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Preston Parsons (11-4, 2-2 UFC)

Parsons with a right hand and they clinch. Elliott with a pair of elbows and they separate. Elliott with a spin kick to the body. Parsons with a pair of low kicks. Elliott connects with a high spin kick. Parsons with more leg kicks. Parsons trips Elliott up with a leg kick and grabs the neck. They clinch and both land before separating. Parsons with a leg kick. He lands them again as Elliott lands a right hand. Both land. Parsons tries for a takedown but Elliott defends against the fence. Elliott lands an elbow. 10-9 Parsons.

Parsons with a leg kick and Elliott lands a right hand. Parsons shoots for a takedown and Elliott defends though Parsons lands an elbow. They break apart. Elliott with a left hand. Parsons with a leg kick. Elliott with a snapping jab. They trade combos. Parsons looks for a takedown but Elliott defends and gets the back of Parsons. They separate but Elliott gets Parsons’ back moments later and drags it down despite Parsons grabbing the fence. Elliott lands from the back but they stand and break. Elliott with a right hand. Parsons tries a takedown but Elliott uses the arm to sweep and they get right up. 10-9 Elliott, 19-19.

Elliott lands a combination. Parsons looked for a takedown but Elliott lands a combination to defend. Parsons tries for another takedown but Elliott defends and they scramble to the mat. They get to their feet and Parsons looks tired. Elliott with a combination. They tie up and Elliott lands before they break. Elliott controlling the center. Elliott lands a combination and has clinch control before they break as he lands an elbow. Parsons shoots for a takedown but Elliott defends. Parsons is able to get a takedown but Elliott immediately attacks the armbar. They scramble back to their feet. They trade body shots at the end. 10-9 Elliott, 29-28 Elliott.

Official Result- Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Flyweights- #6 Muhammad Mokaev (11-0 1 NC, 6-0 UFC) vs. #8 Manel Kape (19-6, 4-2 UFC)

Mokaev rushes forward. Mokaev with a couple of kicks. Mokaev lands a leg kick. Kape lands a left hook. There isn’t much action going on. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev with a wheel kick. Kape rushes forward. Kape lands a left hand. Kape lands a combo. Mokaev looks for a takedown but Kape defends. 10-9 Kape.

Again, they aren’t doing much to start this round. Mokaev lands a kick. Kape looks to have broken a toe and he tried to fix it and bait Mokaev in and Kape lands a right hand. They scramble and Mokaev gets Kape down. Mokaev grabbed the shorts and they are stood up by Mike Beltran and he gives Mokaev a warning and takes away the position. Mokaev with a body kick and Kape lands a left hand. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev lands a left hand. Mokaev with a pair of kicks. Kape lands a left hand. Mokaev with a body kick. 10-9 Mokaev, 19-19.

Mokaev lands a leg kick. He lands another. Kape’s broken big toe is affecting him. Mokaev shoots for a takedown but Kape defends. Kape lands a combination. Mokaev with a high kick. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev lands a right hand. Mokaev gets a takedown. Kape has neck control. Mokaev gets his head out. Kape with lots of elbows from the bottom. Mokaev lands to the body. They scramble up. Kape tries a takedown but Mokaev defends. Kape lands a left hand and Mokaev gets body control at the end. 10-9 Mokaev, 29-28 Mokaev.

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Bantamweights*- Jake Hadley (10-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Caolan Loughran (9-1, 1-1 UFC)

*Hadley missed weight by one pound

Hadley with a pair of leg kicks. Hadley lands a left hand. Loughran with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Hadley with an inside leg kick. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with a body kick. Loughran lands a right hand to the body. Hadley with a leg kick. Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran with a right hand to the body as Hadley lands a left hand. Hadley with a leg kick. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with another left hand. 10-9 Hadley.

Hadley with some left hands and leg kicks. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends and lands some knees. They separate. Hadley with some leg kicks. Loughran lands a right hand after Hadley lands. Loughran lands a right hand. Timeout is called as Hadley is struck in the groin. They get back to action and trade punches. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends. Loughran almost got it down as he has a leg but Hadley scrambles away. Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran gets a late takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Loughran, 19-19.

They trade leg kicks. Hadley lands a left hand. Loughran goes for a takedown and they scramble. Hadley has the back and lands some left hands before they break. Hadley with a leg kick and left hand. Hadley lands a combination. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley lands a jab. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends. They trade knees and body shots and Hadley lands a big elbow on the break. Hadley with a leg kick as Loughran lands a jab. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with a left hand and a leg kick. Loughran lands a right hand. Hadley with a leg kick. They trade late. 10-9 Hadley, 29-28 Hadley.

Official Result- Jake Hadley def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Molly McCann (14-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Bruna Brasil (9-4-1, 1-2 UFC)

Brasil with a leg kick. Brasil with a body kick and right hand. Brasil lands a knee as McCann is pressuring. McCann with a body kick and a right hand. Timeout is called as McCann is kicked in the groin but they continue. Brasil with a body kick. McCann with a leg kick. Brasil with a high kick and hurts McCann with a knee to the stomach. McCann goes down for a moment but is let up. Brasil with a body kick and McCann is hurt badly. Brasil with a flurry and lands a head kick and knees. McCann gets the clinch. Brasil gets it down and lands from the top. They scramble up and McCann has the leg and scores a takedown. They scramble up. 10-9 Brasil.

McCann pressing forward and lands a right hand. McCann with a left hand. Brasil lands a combination. McCann shoots for a takedown against the fence. McCann gets a big takedown but they quickly get up and separate. McCann with a combination as they clinch. McCann trying to get it down and they go to the mat with Brasil inside the guard of McCann. They get up and McCann tries a spin attack as Brasil lands a right hand and they go to the mat at the end. 10-9 Brasil, 20-18 Brasil.

They trade and Brasil lands a knee to the body. They clinch and Brasil lands a knee. Brasil gets a takedown as they tie up. Brasil takes the back. Brasil is on top and McCann is holding on. They get to their feet. McCann lands a left hand and a push kick. McCann with a combination. Brasil scores a takedown. Brasil working from the top as McCann gives up her back. They get up and McCann jumps on the back of Brasil. McCann lands. Brasil spins into McCann’s guard. Brasil gets the back but McCann squirms out. 10-9 Brasil, 30-27 Brasil.

Official Result- Bruna Brasil def. Molly McCann by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Nathaniel Wood (19-6, 7-3 UFC) vs. Daniel Pineda (28-15 3 NC, 5-6 1 NC UFC)

Wood with early leg kicks. Pineda shoots for a takedown but Wood defends. They separate from the clinch. Pineda with some leg kicks. Wood lands a jab. Wood lands a right hand. Pineda with a leg kick. Wood hurts Pineda with a body kick and follows it with some punches from the top. Wood with an elbow from inside the guard. They scramble and Pineda sweeps to the top. Pineda with an elbow from the top. Pineda with some late shots from the top. 10-9 Wood.

They trade leg kicks. Wood lands a big combination that backs Pineda up but he recovers. Pineda lands a right hand. Wood with some front kicks to the body and Pineda lands a few right hands. There is a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action. Pineda with a calf kick and Wood lands a right hand. Wood lands a pair of calf kicks that hurt Pineda. Wood lands a jab and Pineda stumbles down for a moment. Wood with a right hand. Wood with a calf kick. Pineda trying for a takedown. Wood cracks Pineda with a left hand. Wood drops Pineda with a left hook and starts landing elbows from the top. Pineda with an elbow from the bottom. 10-9 Wood, 20-18 Wood.

Pineda lands an uppercut and shoots for a takedown as they scramble to the mat. Wood has neck control and ends up on top but they stand. Wood with a pair of jabs and a leg kick. Wood with a jab and Pineda lands a right hand. Wood gets the body and they scramble to the mat. Pineda with a back elbow that lands. Pineda looking for an arm from the top. Pineda lets go but keeps working from the top. Pineda ends landing from the top. 10-9 Pineda, 29-28 Wood.

Official Result- Nathaniel Wood def. Daniel Pineda by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)

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> Featherweights- #6 Arnold Allen (19-3, 10-2 UFC) vs. #10 Giga Chikadze (15-3, 8-1 UFC)

Chikadze with a leg and body kick early. He lands some more kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a leg kick then a head kick that gets blocked. Chikadze with a high kick. Chikadze lands a right hand. Allen with a high body kick. Allen lands a combo. Chikadze lands a body kick. They trade body kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a pair of jabs. They trade and Chikadze lands a right hand. Chikadze lands a body kick. Allen with a solid left hand. Chikadze lands a flying knee that hurts Allen late. 10-9 Chikadze.

Allen throwing left hands but Chikadze able to circle away. Allen lands a short leg kick. Allen lands to the body as Chikadze lands a pair of jabs. Allen with a leg kick and Chikadze counters with a leg kick. Chikadze lands a jab. Allen with a left hand. Allen connects with a straight left hand. They trade inside the pocket as Allen lands a big left hook. Chikadze with a head kick. Allen lands a right hand. Chikadze with a pair of high kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a left hand. Allen lands a big left hand. Chikadze with a leg kick. They both connect in close range. Allen with a body kick. Close round. 10-9 Allen, 19-19.

Allen pressing forward. Allen lands a left hand. Allen works the jab as Chikadze lands a body kick. Chikadze with another body kick then a leg kick. They trade and Allen lands to the body. Chikadze is bleeding from his nose. Chikadze lands a body kick. Allen lands a left hand. Allen with another left hand. He lands another one. He lands again as Chikadze is against the fence. Allen with a body kick. Allen with another left hand. Allen landing more left hands. Allen with a jumping knee. 10-9 Allen, 29-28 Allen.

Official Result- Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Christian Leroy Duncan (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (15-5, 6-2 UFC)

Duncan lands a jab. Duncan with a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a left hand. They trade big shots. Rodrigues with a body kick. Duncan lands a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a right hand. Duncan with a push kick and lands a right hand. Rodrigues scores a takedown. Rodrigues landing punches and elbows from the top. Rodrigues with more elbows. Duncan scrambles out from the bottom and Rodrigues tries to take the back. They get to their feet. Rodrigues maintains control. 10-9 Rodrigues.

Duncan with a leg kick. Duncan with another leg kick and Rodrigues lands a left hand. They clinch and trade knees. Duncan pushes it against the fence. They separate and Duncan lands an elbow. Rodrigues pushes it to the fence and lands a knee as Duncan grabs the fence. They are separated by the referee. They trade in close range as they tie up. Both land right hands in a clinch before Duncan pushes it to the fence. Rodrigues lands an elbow as they break. Rodrigues with a big right hand. They trade and Rodrigues scores a takedown. Rodrigues lands from the top. 10-9 Rodrigues, 20-18 Rodrigues.

There were feed issues to start the third but it came on and they were trading. Rodrigues pushes it to the fence and gets a takedown and scores a big takedown. They pop right up and are clinched up by the fence. Duncan is landing as Rodrigues is holding onto the body. Rodrigues drags it to the knees and is trying to get the back. Rodrigues has the back and blood is everywhere. Rodrigues landing from the back as they stand. 10-9 Rodrigues, 30-27 Rodrigues.

Official Result- Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #15 King Green (32-15-1 1 NC, 13-10-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Paddy Pimblett (21-3, 5-0 UFC)

Pimblett with a strong leg kick. He lands another. Green with a leg kick. Pimblett with a calf kick. Pimblett lands a right hand. Green with some short leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Pimblett with a leg kick and Green gets a takedown. Pimblett looked for a guillotine choke but switches to a triangle choke. Pimblett switches to an armbar with the triangle choke still locked in and Green goes to sleep! WOW, what a finish from Pimblett!

Official Result- Paddy Pimblett def. King Green by technical submission (triangle choke) at 3:22 of Round 1

> Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship- IC Tom Aspinall (14-3, 7-1 UFC) vs. #4 Curtis Blaydes (18-4 1 NC, 13-4 1 NC UFC)

Blaydes lands a right hand. They trade before clinching up but they quickly break. Blaydes lands a combo. Aspinall drops Blaydes with a right hand and starts pounding away from the back and it is all over! Aspinall retains his title in quick and impressive fashion.

Official Result- Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes by knockout (punches) at 1:00 of Round 1 to retain the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Leon Edwards (22-3 1 NC, 14-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #2 Belal Muhammad (23-3 1 NC, 14-3 1 NC UFC)

Muhammad gets a takedown. He lands some short punches from the top as Edwards is trying to get up. They get to their feet but are tied up against the fence. Muhammad lands a knee and Edwards reverses. Edwards with some knees. They separate. Edwards with a body kick. He lands a knee. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards scores with a left hand. Muhammad lands a body kick. Edwards with a hard leg kick. Muhammad lands a left hook. Muhammad with a combo and gets a big takedown. Muhammad lands from the top. 10-9 Muhammad.

Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad lands the jab. Edwards lands. Muhammad with a jab then shoots for a takedown. Muhammad gets it down for a moment and gets on the back as they go to a knee. They get up and Muhammad dumps Edwards down and Edwards landed on his head. Muhammad has the back and looks for a choke. They get to their feet. Muhammad dumps Edwards back to the mat as he has the back. They stand. Edwards with a knee to the body and he scores a takedown. Edwards has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Muhammad, 20-18 Muhammad.

Edwards with a leg kick as Muhammad lands a right hand. Edwards with a high kick. Muhammad lands a head kick. Muhammad gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Edwards has the back. They scramble to the mat as Edwards has the back. Edwards has the hooks and is working for a choke. Edwards still working. He almost had a chin lock. Edwards with a few punches. Edwards continues to land from the back. 10-9 Edwards, 29-28 Muhammad.

They trade and Muhammad with a combo. Edwards lands a big combination. Muhammad with a jab. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad goes for a takedown and takes the back. They go to the mat with Muhammad having Edwards’ back and landing. Muhammad trying to set up a choke. They roll and Edwards reverses to the top late. Edwards has the back and lands. 10-9 Muhammad, 39-37 Muhammad.

Muhammad comes forward and they trade. Edwards lands. Muhammad goes for a takedown but Edwards defends. Muhammad with a jab and Edwards lands to the body. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad gets a takedown and has the back. Muhammad controlling from the back and looks for a choke. There’s not much going on except Muhammad landing short punches. Edwards reverses to the top and lands a pair of big elbows that bust Muhammad wide open. He lands another big elbow. Edwards steals the round but too little too late. 10-9 Edwards, 48-47 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to win the UFC Welterweight Championship

WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura corners fighter at UFC 303

Posted on by Josh Nason

Current WWE star and former MMA fighter Shinsuke Nakamura crossed over into the world of UFC on Saturday night, but not by sitting in the crowd as some of his co-workers have. Rather, he did so as a cornerman.

The 44-year-old worked the corner of Rei Tsuruya on the UFC 303 undercard in Las Vegas as he picked up a unanimous decision victory to run his record to 10-0. Tsuruya even entered to Nakamura’s WWE entrance theme.

Nakamura said in a post-fight interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter that he is good friends with Tsuruya’s father (also a former fighter) who asked him if he would corner his son for his debut which Nakamura said it was an honor to do.

He said he still has a passion for MMA and fighting into addition to wrestling and wants to stay in WWE.

It was Tsuruya’s promotional debut after picking up a win on the company’s Road to UFC series.

Asked about Nakamura afterward by the media, the 22-year-old Tsuruya said, “He’s such a superstar, but here for me. I’m just so honored and so thankful.”

Nakamura was also present at a Slap Fight show on Friday night alongside Rey Mysterio, prompting him to share a photo of “Rey and Rei” on social media.

Nakamura competed five times in MMA from 2002 through 2004, compiling a 3-1-0-1 record. He opened his career with a loss to Daniel Gracie, a member of the famed MMA and BJJ family.

UFC 303 live results: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

International Fight Week has descended upon Las Vegas with a full week of events culminating tonight with UFC 303 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tonight was expected to feature the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor to fight Michael Chandler, but an injury to McGregor delayed those plans. Instead, the company put together a massive replacement bout as UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defends against Jiri Prochazka in a rematch.

Pereira defeated Prochazka for the then-vacant light heavyweight championship at UFC 295 last November, and they square off with just a couple of weeks of preparation. Both are coming off wins at UFC 300 in April in advance of the rematch.

In the co-main event, Brian Ortega battles Diego Lopes in what is now a lightweight bout. This fight also came together on two weeks’ notice and was scheduled to take place at 145 pounds, but was changed just before weigh-ins after Ortega was having trouble making it down to the featherweight limit.

Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Roman Dolidze, a fight that also came together on very short notice, as well as a women’s bantamweight bout pitting Mayra Bueno Silva against Macy Chiasson, and a welterweight match-up between Ian Machado Garry and Michael “Venom” Page.

ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Ricky Simon (20-5, 8-4 UFC) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (20-3, 1-0 UFC)

Oliveira landing to start as he lands a leg kick. Oliveira lands a jab and follows with a right hand and then another one. Simon starting out tentative and lands a leg kick. Simon gets a brief takedown as they get right up. Oliveira lands a right hand. Simon with a solid left hook. Oliveira with a few leg kicks. Simon lands a right hand. They trade punches. Simon with a left hand to the body. Simon shoots for a takedown but Oliveira defends and lands a leg kick as Simon lands a left hand. They tie up against the fence. Oliveira with a combination. 10-9 Oliveira.

Simon lands a left hand. Simon tries a takedown but Oliveira defends and lands some leg kicks. Simon is able to score a takedown but ends up standing and lets Oliveira up. Simon trying to get the takedown but Oliveira lands on the feet. Oliveira landing with more volume as he lands a combination. Simon with an uppercut to the body. Oliveira with a left hook then a body kick and a leg kick. Oliveira lands a leg kick but Simon checks it and Oliveira is hurt. Oliveira with a body kick and they trade. 10-9 Oliveira, 20-18 Oliveira.

Oliveira lands a left hand. Oliveira with a body kick. They trade and Simon looks for a takedown but Oliveira is able to defend. Oliveira with a leg kick with his good leg. Oliveira lands a right hand. Oliveira with a combination and then lands a right hand and a body kick. Oliveira with a combination ending with a head kick. Oliveira lands a combo as Simon is not getting much offense going. Oliveira with a high kick and he gets a takedown and lands before they get up. 10-9 Oliveira, 30-27 Oliveira.

Official Result- Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Rei Tsuruya (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Hernandez (9-3, 2-2 UFC)

Tsuruya with a left hand. Tsuruya shoots for a takedown but Hernandez defends and then Hernandez gets a takedown. They scramble and end up back on their feet. Hernandez with a leg kick. Tsuruya gets the body lock against the fence and scores a takedown. They scramble and Tsuruya ends up on the back and lands and they scramble at the end. 10-9 Tsuruya.

Tsuruya gets a takedown and is in side control but Hernandez is controlling the neck. Tsuruya gets out into full side control and they keep scrambling. They scramble up but Tsuruya gets it back to the mat. Tsuruya looking to get the back and he does. Tsuruya is trying to jump for the Twister and he almost had it but Hernandez gets his leg free. Tsuruya is in side control. Tsuruya working for the neck from the side. Tsuruya with a pair of hammerfists. He lands some elbows late. 10-9 Tsuruya, 20-18 Tsuruya.

Tsuruya tries a throw takedown but slips and Hernandez ends up on top. Hernandez is controlling from the top but there isn’t a lot happening. Hernandez is cut open but it was from a clash of heads as they went to the mat. They get to their feet and work to the fence. Tsuruya gets a takedown but they scramble up. They battle in the clinch against the fence and Hernandez lands a knee. 10-9 Hernandez, 29-28 Tsuruya.

Official Result- Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Andrei Arlovski (34-23 2 NC, 23-17 1 NC UFC) vs. Martin Buday (13-2, 4-1 UFC)

Arlovski with a high kick and Buday lands a leg kick. They tie up and battle for position against the fence. They separate. Buday lands a right hand and they tie back up. Buday with some left hands to the body. They battle in the clinch and Buday with a knee. They separate. Arlovski with a leg kick and a right hand. Buday with a right hand and they clinch back up. They end the round battling there. 10-9 Buday.

They trade and Arlovski initiates the tie up and they go to the fence. Buday with a knee to the body. They separate and Buday lands a jab. They tie back up and Buday lands a pair of knees. Buday with another knee. They separate and both land before they clinch back up. Buday with some knees to the legs and they are separated by the referee. Arlovski with a jab and right hand. He lands a leg kick and body shot. Arlovski with an inside leg kick. They tie up and trade knees. 10-9 Buday, 20-18 Buday.

They trade jabs as both are landing in close range. Buday with a jab and they trade knees in a clinch battle. Buday with a knee to the body. Buday with some more shots to the body. Arlovski lands a knee and they go to the fence. We have a timeout as Arlovski ate a groin strike. They get back to action but quickly tie up against the fence. They trade knees. They are separated by Mark Smith. Arlovski lands a right hand. Arlovski lands a spinning back fist. They tie back up and trade knees. Both land to the body. Buday with body shots but Arlovski has control. They break apart and Arlovski with a back kick. 10-9 Arlovski, 29-28 Buday.

Official Result- Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Women’s Strawweights- #14 Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12, 6-8 UFC) vs. #15 Gillian Robertson (13-8, 10-6 UFC)

They both throw kicks early. Robertson lands a jab. Robertson with a high kick. Waterson with a pair of front kicks. Waterson lands a leg kick and Robertson initiates a clinch. Robertson grabs the back and gets a takedown into side control. Robertson steps over and is looking to set up an armbar. Robertson gets the mount and lands an elbow. Robertson gets the crucifix position and lands a pair of elbows. Waterson gets her arm out but Robertson stays in side control. Robertson has the mount and lands some right hands. Robertson with lots of shots from the top. Robertson looks for the armbar. Waterson survives. 10-9 Robertson.

Waterson with a front kick and Robertson grabs the leg and pushes it to the fence. Robertson gets a takedown. Robertson landing in side control and in total control as Waterson has been unable to escape from the bottom. Robertson landing elbows and punches from side control. Robertson gets the full mount and lands before rolling for an armbar attempt. Waterson survives again. 10-8 Robertson, 20-17 Robertson.

Robertson grabs the neck and jumps for a guillotine choke right away as they go to the mat. They scramble up and Robertson drags Waterson back down. Robertson is in side control and looking to set something up and then gets the mount. Robertson landing punches from the back as she is trying to find a choke. Robertson inside the guard of Waterson and lands. Robertson lands some hammerfists. Robertson with shots from the top to end it. 10-8 Robertson, 30-25 Robertson.

Official Result- Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Michelle Waterson-Gomez announces her retirement after the fight.

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> Bantamweights- Payton Talbott (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-2, 0-1 UFC)

Talbott lands a jab and then drops Ghemmouri with a right hand and immediately starts landing from the top and it is all over. That was a quick finish. Talbott is a name to keep an eye on.

Official Result- Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri by knockout (punches) at :19 of Round 1

> Featherweights*- Charles Jourdain (15-7-1, 6-6-1 UFC) vs. Jean Silva (12-2, 1-0 UFC)

*Silva missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Silva with a leg kick. Jourdain with a body kick then a leg kick. Jourdain just misses a head kick. Silva with a combo and Jourdain lands an inside leg kick. Jourdain lands a left hand then a body kick. Jourdain gets a takedown as Silva grabs the neck but they scramble up and Jourdain lands a body kick. Silva drops Jourdain with a right hand and lands before inviting Jourdain back up. Silva lands a right hand. Silva with a big uppercut. Jourdain shoots for a takedown but Silva defends. Silva with some elbows to defend. Silva lands a big right hand. Jourdain gets a late takedown. 10-9 Silva.

They trade and Jourdain looks for a takedown against the fence. Silva defends and drops Jourdain with an uppercut and it is all over! What a finish from Silva!

Official Result- Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain by knockout (punch) at 1:20 of Round 2

> Featherweights- Cub Swanson (29-13, 13-9 UFC) vs. Andre Fili (23-11 1 NC, 11-10 1 NC UFC)

Swanson with a leg kick then a right hand, then another leg kick. Fili lands a knee. Fili with a head kick. Fili with a big body kick. Swanson with a right hand as Fili lands to the body. Swanson with a heavy leg kick. Swanson connects with a right hand. Swanson with a combination. They clinch and Swanson pushes it against the fence. They separate. Swanson is pressuring Fili around. Close round. 10-9 Swanson.

Swanson pressing forward as both are throwing. Swanson lands a right hand and Fili is able to score a takedown. Swanson gets out from the bottom as they get to their feet. They circle around and Swanson throws but Fili clinches it up against the fence. They separate and Swanson lands a right hand and a jab and Fili lands a counter right hand. Fili looks for a takedown against the fence. Swanson reverses. They separate and Swanson landing more but Fili lands a hard counter right hand. They both swing and Fili goes back looking for a takedown. Fili lands an elbow and Swanson has the back at the end. Close round. 10-9 Fili, 19-19.

They trade and clinch briefly. Swanson pressuring and lands a right hand as Fili lands a counter left. Swanson lands a right hand as Fili circles away. Fili gets a takedown but they pop right up. Fili has body control and lands a knee. Swanson with some open palm strikes. Fili lands an elbow. They separate. Swanson with a jab as he rushes in. Fili lands a short right hand. Swanson lands a right hand. Fili with a right hand. Swanson with a right hand. Fili lands a jab. Fili lands a leg kick and they tie up but quickly break. Swanson with a left hand and rocks Fili with a right hand. Fili tries a takedown but Swanson lands to defend. Swanson pressing forward and Fili with a high kick and Swanson lands a big right hand. Good fight. 10-9 Swanson, 29-28 Swanson.

Official Result- Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

*BREAKING- Brian Ortega is sick and out tonight. Dan Ige is stepping in on zero notice to fight Diego Lopes tonight.

> Middleweights- Joe Pyfer (12-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (16-7 1 NC, 5-6 1 NC UFC)

Pyfer with a leg kick. Pyfer lands a right hand and then lands to the body, then drops Barriault with a right hand and it is all over. Big bounce back win for Pyfer!

Official Result- Joe Pyfer def. Marc-Andre Barriault by knockout (punch) at 1:25 of Round 1

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Welterweights- #7 Ian Garry (14-0, 7-0 UFC) vs. #14 Michael Page (22-2, 1-0 UFC)

Page lands a right hand. Garry lands and catches the leg to get Page to the mat. Garry looking for control on the top. Garry takes the back. Garry with the body triangle and starts working for a choke. He locks in a rear-naked choke but Page is defending. Page gets out but Garry still has the body triangle on and lands some left hands. Garry lands left hands from the back as the round ends. 10-9 Garry.

Page just misses a right hand. Page lands a right hand. Page lands a leg kick. They tie up and Garry has the body lock and pushes it to the fence. Garry lands some knees and Page with some hammerfists to Garry’s thighs. Garry drops down for a leg lock but Page lands to the body. Garry trips Page down and is working for a kneebar. They get to their feet. Page lands a combination. Page just misses a flying knee but lands a jab. Page with a big right hand. He lands a jab. 10-9 Page, 19-19.

Page tries to land and Garry just about pulls guard and they’re on the mat with Page on top. Both are looking to get the upper hand on the mat. Page stands and they get to their feet. Page lands a body kick. Garry jumps on the back on the feet and looks for a choke. Garry lands. There is nothing happening here. Garry lands. Very weird fight and interesting to score. 10-9 Garry, 29-28 Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Michael Page by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Bantamweights- #3 Mayra Bueno Silva (10-3-1 1 NC, 5-3-1 1 NC UFC) vs. #7 Macy Chiasson (9-3, 7-3 UFC)

Silva with a leg kick and she lands an elbow and knee to the body. Chiasson with a leg kick. Silva lands a head kick then a left hand before they clinch. Silva with an elbow. Chiasson lands an elbow and they separate. Silva with a wheel kick. Chiasson with a leg kick. Silva with a left hook then lands to the body and then back to the head in the clinch. Silva with some knees and tries for a takedown but Chiasson keeps it standing. Silva with a right hand as they break and Chiasson lands a combination. They clinch and Silva with some body shots. They separate and Chiasson lands a combination. They clinch and both with some dirty boxing. They trade knees. Silva lands a right hand. 10-9 Silva.

They come out swinging. Chiasson gets a takedown and Silva is cut open. Silva looks for an armbar from the bottom. Chiasson is able to escape and they get to their feet. The cut is being checked on Silva by the doctor. The doctor wants to stop the fight and Silva is arguing to continue. The fight is stopped and everyone is booing as Chiasson is going to pick up the win.

Official Result- Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva by TKO (cut) at 1:58 of Round 2

> Light Heavyweights- #10 Anthony Smith (37-19, 13-9 UFC) vs. #10 MW Roman Dolidze (12-3, 6-3 UFC)

Dolidze with some early leg kicks. Smith lands a counter right hand. Smith with a leg kick and Dolidze lands a hard leg kick. Dolidze lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Smith with a right hand. Dolidze with a leg kick. Dolidze with another. Smith lands a leg kick. Dolidze lands a jab. They trade in close range. Smith lands a jab as Dolidze connects with a leg kick. Smith with a left hand. 10-9 Dolidze.

They trade leg kicks. They trade and Dolidze lands and Smith stumbles down. Dolidze gets on top and is landing big punches. Dolidze grabs the back of Smith on the mat. Dolidze with some right hands from the back and they are connecting. Dolidze with a knee to the body. He is landing more knees and then lands one to the head. Dolidze is in total control. They separate. Dolidze lands a left hand. 10-9 Dolidze, 20-18 Dolidze.

Smith with a pair of leg kicks. Dolidze lands a body kick. They trade and both land leg kicks. Smith lands a right hand. Dolidze looks to take it down but couldn’t get a hold of Smith. Dolidze with a pair of left hands. Both land as Dolidze looked for a takedown opening. Smith lands a right hand then a leg kick. Dolidze lands a leg kick. Smith with a right hand and a jab. They trade in close range with Smith landing a left hand. Both are slowing down. Smith with a jab. Dolidze with a spin kick to the body then a leg kick. 10-9 Smith, 29-28 Dolidze.

Official Result- Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> 165-pound Catchweights- #13 FW Dan Ige (18-7, 10-6 UFC) vs. #14 FW Diego Lopes (24-6, 3-1 UFC)

Lopes with a leg kick. Lopes lands a right hand. Ige with a right hand and Lopes lands a knee. Lopes with a flurry as he lands a knee and some punches. Ige with a leg kick. Lopes with a knee followed by a flurry. Ige with a jab. Lopes lands a wild right hand. Lopes with a right hand. Ige lands a right hand and they work in the clinch with Lopes landing an elbow on the break. Ige looks for a takedown but Lopes grabs the neck and looks for a D’Arce choke. Ige escapes and they stand at the end. 10-9 Lopes.

Lopes with a leg kick and they trade right hands. Lopes with another calf kick. Ige with a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Lopes with a combination. Lopes with a leg kick. Ige with a high kick but Lopes is able to get him down. Lopes gets on his back as they get to their feet. Ige tries to shake him off as they go to the mat but Lopes stays on the back. Lopes has the body triangle in and they trade punches. Ige is fighting hands as both land a flurry on the mat. 10-9 Lopes, 20-18 Lopes.

They trade. Ige pressuring and lands a right hand. Lopes is backing up. Lopes lands a leg kick that hurts Ige. Lopes looks for a takedown but Ige scrambles. They separate. Lopes is getting tired. Lopes circles with Ige pressuring. Ige lands a right hand. Lopes with a calf kick. Ige with a left hand. Lopes shoots for a takedown but Ige defends. Lopes grabs the back. Ige has it down and is working in the guard and starts landing from the top. Ige with some big punches from the top. Lopes with an upkick. 10-9 Ige, 29-28 Lopes.

Official Result- Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- C Alex Pereira (10-2, 7-1 UFC) vs. #1 Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1, 4-1 UFC)

Pereira with a leg kick. Prochazka with a left hook and Pereira lands a jab. Pereira with a leg kick. He lands another. Pereira with a left hook. They both land and Pereira with a big right hand followed by a calf kick. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira lands a body kick. Pereira with a left hook. They clinch and both land a knee. Pereira lands a knee. Prochazka is trying for a takedown but Pereira lands some short punches. They separate. They trade kicks. Pereira drops Prochazka with a left hand at the end. 10-9 Pereira.

Pereira drops Prochazka with a head kick and starts landing punches and it is finished. What a finish from Pereira! WOW!

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka by TKO (head kick & punches) at :13 of Round 2

Wrestling Observer Radio: AEW Forbidden Door preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio going over the big stories in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave and I talked about the following:

  • Tony Khan’s media call
  • AEW Dynamite rating
  • Full preview of AEW Forbidden Door
  • UFC 303
  • The final episode of Who Killed WCW?

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed).

Daily Update: AEW Grand Slam, Stardom, UFC 303

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue

Friday Update

– We have a busy weekend coming up as we have a show today with Garrett Gonzales talking about a huge week of news, so big that we had one of the largest issues in our history, plus we’ve got a Saturday night show covering UFC and a Sunday night show covering Forbidden Door.

– We’ve got a monster-sized issue of the Observer because of so many major stories this past week:

  • The life and times of Sika Anoa’i, from moving to San Francisco, being a fan at the Cow Palace watching Peter Maivia, to running through territories, going all over the world, to being one of the most legendary tag team champions in WWF history, along with his role in the most famous modern pro wrestling family today as the father of Roman Reigns and uncle of the Usos, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.  We look at the legends, realities and more.
  • A look at WWE’s deal in Indiana and the news behind the scenes on it.
  • We look at the life and career of Jamie Kellner and the death of  WCW, including the last two months of WCW and the strange questions that to this day haven’t been answered.
  • A detailed look at Forbidden Door, the unique match on the undercard, business notes, stories behind the matches and an update on how Double or Nothing ended up doing.
  • A look at the final episode of  Who Killed WCW, why it ultimately was such a major disappointment and a timeline of faulty memories
  • An updated look at WWE coming to Toronto for Money in the Bank and NXT Heatwave, lineups and business.
  • A look at the biggest Fantastica Mania show to date, last week’s show at Arena Mexico
  • A look at the life and career of Taylor Wily, also known as Teila Tuli, the first man to walk the aisle at the first UFC PPV, and the fight that remains etched in history. We look at a life that includes sumo, and being a regular on Hawaii Five-O.
  • The continued drop in homes that air WWE, AEW, and all pro wrestling and MMA programming.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week, including how wrestling shows did in the weekly standings, how each show did and its placing, comparisons to last year, competition and audience makeup.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero and why it’s a must-see match.
  • A look at one of the biggest weeks of the year in CMLL
  • Notes on the last TripleMania show of the year
  • Breakup of a legendary Stardom faction
  • G1 qualifying tournament and who will miss G1 for the first time since 2007
  • Former WCW wrestler and Japanese Lucha star about to retire
  • One year celebration of the death of Terry Funk talked about for August
  • Death of Louie Tillet, a well known wrestler and booker
  • Very detailed look at the arrest of 2 Cold Scorpio
  • Nick Bollea sentenced for drunk driving arrest last year
  • MLW hiring new name people for production
  • Tony Khan press conference and keys things he talked about
  • Khan again discusses media rights talks
  • Khan talks Shane McMahon
  • Death of German announcer Gunter Zapf, the voice of WWE for a generation, AEW, Lucha Underground and the NFL with notes from those who worked with him.
  • AEW’s first TV taping outside North America
  • Details on AEW expenses broken down for a PPV as well as the percentage of revenue that the talent makes and how it compares with WWE, UFC and other sports.
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Advanced ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • Update on the Cung Le lawsuit
  • Update on Conor McGregor’s fighting again
  • Why UFC is only running one show and never again at The Sphere and why WWE & AEW are unlikely to ever run it.
  • ONE financial breakdown
  • A look at a number of people leaving WWE for different reasons
  • New head writer for SmackDown
  • Daughter of major WWE star trying to make the Olympic team this year
  • WWE house show reports

– AEW Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York will be 9/25. They will do Dynamite live and tape two hours of Collision.

– As of this morning, Stardom is now officially owned by New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Bushiroad dealings.

– Rampage at 10 p.m. tonight on TNT:

  • Roderick Strong & Gabe Kidd vs. The Infantry
  • Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata
  • El Phantasmo vs. AR Fox for a spot in the TNT title ladder match
  • Orange Cassidy vs. The Outrunners in a handicap match
  • Dalton Castle vs. Shingo Takagi

– People Magazine did a story on the wedding of Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews.

– Dijak talks his WWE departure, Vince McMahon and more.

– For this weekend we’re looking for reports on these shows:

  • WWE tonight in Madison Square Garden (dark matches only)
  • TNA tapings in Philadelphia tonight and tomorrow night
  • We’re looking for results, finishes and other highlights to [email protected]

– Charlie Dempsey is at the TNA tapings tonight.

– Wes Lee, Nathan Frazer and Joe Coffey were sent to tonight’s show in Madison Square Garden. I don’t know this but I could see them being in matches for WWE Speed.

– We’ll be doing our poll on AEW Forbidden Door this weekend, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected].

– Newsday talked to Swerve Strickland promoting Forbidden Door this past week.

– UFC 303 is tomorrow from the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

ESPN and ESPN+ coverage  at 6 p.m. Eastern

  • Ricky Simon (136) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (136)
  • Rei Tsuruya (125.5) Carlos Hernandez (125)
  • Andrei Arlovski (245) vs. Martin Buday (264.5)
  • Michelle Waterson-Gomez (115) vs. Gillian Robertson (116)
  • Payton Talbott (135.5) vs Yanis Ghemmouri (136)
  • Cub Swanson (146) vs. Andre Fili (145.5)
  • Joe Pyfer (185.5) vs. Marc-Ander Barrault (185)
  • Charles Jourdain (146) vs. Jean Silva (147.5)

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Ian Machado Garry (170) vs. Michael Venom Page (171)
  • Anthony Smith (206) vs. Roman Dolidze (205)
  • Mayra Bueno Silva (136) vs. Macy Chiasson (1355)
  • Brian Ortega (155) vs. Diego Lopes (155)
  • Alex Pereiera (204.5) vs. Jiri Prochazka (204.5) for the light heavyweight title

Silva missed weight and forfeited 20 percent of his purse.

Ortega vs. Lopes was originally at 145, but Ortega’s side said that he couldn’t make weight and both fighters agreed to have it at 155.

Tsrurya will have Shinsuke Nakamura in his corner. Nakamura fought  MMA in Japan including some high profile fights against Alexey Ignashov, at the time one of the top kickboxers in the world. He had a UFC offer but turned it down due to pro wrestling but later has said he wished he at least had done one UFC fight.

– Kyle Fletcher defends the ROH TV title tonight at Arena Mexico against Atlantis Jr. Mistico & Volador Jr. & Esfinge face Angel de Oro & Euforia & Averno in the semi. The last time a major non-CMLL or Mexican championship changed hands at Arena Mexico was when La Sombra (Andrade) beat Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental title in 2013.

– The 7/26 WWE show at Sumo Hall in Tokyo is sold out.

– The Forbidden Door preshow will be starting Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.

– PFL is on ESPN tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern with these tournament matches in featherweight and welterweight from Sioux Falls, SD:

  • Brendan Loughnane (146) vs Justin Gonzales (145.6)
  • Logan Storley (170.4) vs. Luca Poclit (170)
  • Magomed Umalatov (170.4) vs. Brennan Ward (171)
  • Gabriel Braga (150.6) vs. Bubba Jenkins (146)

The prelims start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+ with these bouts

  • Lorenz Larkin (170.8) vs. Alan Dominguez (170.6) – non-tournament
  • Murad Ramazanov (170.4) vs.  Shamil Muasaev (170.8)
  • Timur Khizriev (146) vs.  Enrique Barzola (146)
  • Goiti Yamauchi (170.6) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (171)
  • Kai Kamaka (146) vs. Pedro Carvalho (146)
  • Dan Madge (169.8) vs.  Neiman Gracie (170.4)
  • Tyler Diamond (145.4) vs. Brett Johns (145.6)

It should be noted that Braga missed weight by 4.6 pounds. He forfeits 20 percent of his purse to Jenkins and has one point deducted from his standings point total but is eligible to earn points to reach the playoffs. I’m highly against someone in this type of a tournament having the chance to earn points in a match where they missed weight, let alone by that much. It’s ridiculous.

– Matt Riddle has a meet and greet from 6-6:30 p.m. before the 7/12 MLW show at the St Petersburg Coliseum. You can preorder autographs and a photo at MLWVIP.com.

– Kid Lykos defends the Progress title against Luke Jacobs on 7/28 at the Electric Ballroom in London

– The IWA in New South Wales promoted the first 30 minute women’s Iron Man match ever in the state last Friday in Sydney. Rita Stone and Charlie Evans were the opponents, Historian Ed Lock said Stone is probably the best rookie he’s seen in over 25 years of calling matches in Australia. Stone won three falls to two.

– Damian Willoughby was announced as the new Head of Global Partnerships for the PFL. He’ll be based out of the London office and report to CEO Peter Murray. He’ll be in charge of all the different PFL divisions.  He had been an executive for the City Football Group, Chelsea and Rangers FC.

– A correction from last week in International Wrestling Revolution notes, it was Trey Miguel & Myron Reed as a tag team on the show, not Miguel & Zachary Wentz as was listed.

Filthy Observer Live: WWE Raw review, Ronda’s graphic novel, much more!

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

With Bryan Alvarez investigating what this Hawk Tuah thing is all about, Filthy Tom Lawlor joins Mike Sempervive to review last night’s Raw, preview NXT, read Ronda Rousey’s graphic novel synopsis, talk about Conor, and much more. A fun show as always, so check it out~!

Download the subscriber exclusive commercial-free edition here!

Conor McGregor says broken toe caused withdrawal from UFC 303

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Zuffa

Conor McGregor is blaming a broken toe as the reason he had to withdraw from next Saturday’s UFC 303.

McGregor took to Instagram Friday to finally reveal the actual injury that took his fight with Michael Chandler off the table last week after speculation that it was in jeopardy following a last-minute cancelation of a press event in Dublin.

“We had a lapse in concentration and engaged in a training session without wearing the full protective gear and I hit the toe off the elbow and broke the toe clean. It needs a few weeks that’s it. I couldn’t justify to my team, or fans, that I make the walk hindered again. That walk has been seen. This next walk has got to be, and it will be, 100% Conor McGregor,” he wrote, later adding he has two fights left on his current deal.

Chandler was also taken off the card and replaced with a new main event of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defending against Jiri Prochazka. Ariel Helwani had previously reported there is hope of making the McGregor vs. Chandler fight happen this August or September.

A slight lapse in concentration and a nuisance of an injury was picked up. That’s it. Take the lesson and move forward. I will get this back,” he wrote. The next fight will be McGregor’s first since July 2021.

In response to criticism and doubt from former UFC star Chael Sonnen, McGregor then posted pictures of the toe on X:

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1804186016405688722

Conor McGregor’s return postponed due to injury, new main event set for UFC 303

Posted on by Josh Nason

Conor McGregor will not be fighting at UFC 303 after all.

UFC head Dana White revealed the news on X Thursday night that McGregor was injured and immediately moved on to promoting the new main event: reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defending against former champion Jiri Prochazka with a co-main event of Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes.

The show is set for Saturday, June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as part of International fight Week. Due to the high ticket prices for McGregor’s return, the show already had a company record-breaking $20 million gate in mid-May. Because of the change, they will have to offer fans the ability to get a refund if they so choose due to a policy in Nevada.

Ariel Helwani went deeper into the reasons for McGregor’s fight vs. Michael Chandler to be postponed to later this year with a target of either August or September, reporting that McGregor got hurt a day or so before the UFC’s press conference in Dublin, Ireland, that was canceled. The specific injury has not been reported. He stated that all parties tried to save the fight, but it was pulled internally within the last 48 hours.

All sides were fairly quiet as talk of the fight being off circulated after that press conference cancellation. Helwani said that the new main event was a top choice but had to overcome some hurdles: mainly that the champion is in Australia doing seminars and is recovering from some broken toes.

It was to be McGregor’s first UFC fight since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021 while Chandler (the former Bellator lightweight champion) has been on the shelf since November 2022’s UFC 281 when he also lost to Poirier.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler official for UFC 303

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Conor’s return to the octagon has been officially announced.

Dana White confirmed during the UFC 300 press conference that Conor McGregor will fight Michael Chandler in a welterweight fight at UFC 303 on June 29 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. This would be McGregor’s first fight in nearly three years, losing to Dustin Poirier back in July of 2021 after suffering a leg injury.

“Officially Official,” Chandler posted on X following the news. “Thank y’all for being on this journey with me. Time to get to work. 77 days! Walk On. See you at the top!”

A match between McGregor and Chandler had been speculated for months. Back in February, Chandler appeared on an episode of WWE Raw and called out McGregor, showcasing synergy between the two TKO brands.

White announced two other matches for UFC 302 on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event, while Sean Strickland will face Paulo Costa in the co-main.