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  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed
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  5. >
  6. <title type="text">MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Results</title>
  7. <subtitle type="text">MMA News &#38; results for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce &#38; more Mixed Martial Arts fights</subtitle>
  8.  
  9. <updated>2025-10-13T22:08:28+00:00</updated>
  10.  
  11. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com" />
  12. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/rss/index.xml</id>
  13. <link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/rss/index.xml" />
  14.  
  15. <entry>
  16. <author>
  17. <name>Alexander K. Lee</name>
  18. </author>
  19. <title type="html"><![CDATA[On To the Next One: What’s next for UFC Rio winners?]]></title>
  20. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449784/on-to-the-next-one-whats-next-for-ufc-rio-winners" />
  21. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449784</id>
  22. <updated>2025-10-13T17:59:29-04:00</updated>
  23. <published>2025-10-13T20:00:00-04:00</published>
  24. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="MMAF Podcast Network" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Podcasts" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  25. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Charles Oliveira once again proved to be invincible when fighting in his native Brazil and the future Hall of Famer kept himself in line for more big matchups in the future after a convincing win at UFC Rio. Could it be a long-awaited rematch with Max Holloway with the “BMF” title on the line? Is [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  26. <content type="html">
  27. <![CDATA[
  28.  
  29. <figure>
  30.  
  31. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2240504471.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  32. <figcaption>
  33. </figcaption>
  34. </figure>
  35. <p class="has-text-align-none">Charles Oliveira once again proved to be invincible when fighting in his native Brazil and the future Hall of Famer kept himself in line for more big matchups in the future after a convincing win at UFC Rio. </p>
  36.  
  37. <p class="has-text-align-none">Could it be a long-awaited rematch with Max Holloway with the “BMF” title on the line? Is he the one to slow Paddy Pimblett’s role? Or is there another fight in Oliveira’s future that can set him up for one last shot at the undisputed lightweight championship,</p>
  38.  
  39. <p class="has-text-align-none">On an all-new edition of <em>On To the Next One</em>, MMA Fighting&#8217;s Alexander K. Lee mans the ship with a huge helping hand from the listeners as they discuss what’s next for “do Bronx” after a crowd-pleasing submission Mateusz Gamrot. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Deiveson Figueiredo, who shut down the streaking Montel Jackson in the co-main event, plus what’s next for Joel Alvarez, Mario Pinto, Kaan Ofli, Bia Mesquita, and more.</p>
  40.  
  41. <p class="has-text-align-none">Audio-only versions of the podcast can be found on&nbsp;<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?xcust=__sb1012awD__448605__________________google.com&amp;id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id320642139&amp;referrer=sbnation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/27Z2RR39rjGrRcV1DiQ40J?si=5ZS0Lje7QbWITUd60cOb8g">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-mma-beat-29878823/?cmp=web_share">iHeartRadio</a>, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.</p>
  42. <div class="megaphone-embed"><a href="https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=VMP5043858041" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View Link</a></div>
  43. ]]>
  44. </content>
  45. </entry>
  46. <entry>
  47. <author>
  48. <name>Mike Heck</name>
  49. </author>
  50. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Reaction: Dana White announces new title fights for UFC 323]]></title>
  51. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449883/reaction-dana-white-announces-new-title-fights-for-ufc-323" />
  52. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449883</id>
  53. <updated>2025-10-13T18:08:28-04:00</updated>
  54. <published>2025-10-13T19:00:00-04:00</published>
  55. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="MMAF Podcast Network" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Podcasts" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  56. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Dana White made some big announcements for the UFC&#8217;s final pay-per-view of 2025 with Merab Dvalishvili looking to make his fourth title defense against former champ Petr Yan in a rematch to headline UFC 323. Additionally, White confirmed that Alexandre Pantoja defends the flyweight title against top contender Joshua Van in the co-main event. Following [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  57. <content type="html">
  58. <![CDATA[
  59.  
  60. <figure>
  61.  
  62. <img alt="Merab Dvalishvili" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/323reaxclean.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  63. <figcaption>
  64. </figcaption>
  65. </figure>
  66. <p class="has-text-align-none">Dana White made some big announcements for the UFC&#8217;s final pay-per-view of 2025 with Merab Dvalishvili looking to make his fourth title defense against former champ Petr Yan in a rematch to headline UFC 323. Additionally, White confirmed that Alexandre Pantoja defends the flyweight title against top contender Joshua Van in the co-main event.</p>
  67.  
  68. <p class="has-text-align-none">Following the big reveal from the UFC CEO, MMA Fighting&#8217;s Mike Heck reacts to the bouts announced, how the card stacks up for the final numbered card event of the year, Henry Cejudo returning against Payton Talbott, if that is the final fight of Cejudo’s career win or lose, the big flyweight tilt between former champ Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira, other bouts revealed for the fight card, and much more.</p>
  69.  
  70. <p class="has-text-align-none">Watch the full reaction to the news in the video above. An audio-only version of the show can be found below and on&nbsp;<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?xcust=__sb1013awD__401257__________________google.com&amp;id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id320642139&amp;referrer=sbnation.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1RoZU1tYUhvdXJXaXRoQXJpZWxIZWx3YW5p">Google Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/27Z2RR39rjGrRcV1DiQ40J?si=5ZS0Lje7QbWITUd60cOb8g">Spotify</a>, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.</p>
  71.  
  72. <iframe frameborder="0" height="200" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP2750316790" width="100%"></iframe>
  73.  
  74. <p class="has-text-align-none"></p>
  75. ]]>
  76. </content>
  77. </entry>
  78. <entry>
  79. <author>
  80. <name>Guilherme Cruz</name>
  81. </author>
  82. <title type="html"><![CDATA[UFC Rio medical suspensions: Lucas Almeida handed 6 month layoff]]></title>
  83. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449882/ufc-rio-medical-suspensions-lucas-almeida-handed-6-month-layoff" />
  84. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449882</id>
  85. <updated>2025-10-13T18:06:03-04:00</updated>
  86. <published>2025-10-13T18:06:03-04:00</published>
  87. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  88. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Lucas Almeida received a 180-day medical suspension following his UFC Rio defeat to Michael Aswell. Almeida became one of the topics of discussion when fans and media noticed his right hand was swollen at the ceremonial weigh-ins Friday, indicating a possible fracture. He was still cleared to compete by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  89. <content type="html">
  90. <![CDATA[
  91.  
  92. <figure>
  93.  
  94. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2240486086.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  95. <figcaption>
  96. </figcaption>
  97. </figure>
  98. <p class="has-text-align-none">Lucas Almeida received a 180-day medical suspension following his UFC Rio defeat to Michael Aswell.</p>
  99.  
  100. <p class="has-text-align-none">Almeida became one of the topics of discussion when fans and media noticed his right hand was swollen at the ceremonial weigh-ins Friday, indicating a possible fracture. He was still cleared to compete by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) on Oct. 11, but was knocked out inside the first round without throwing a single punch with his right hand.</p>
  101.  
  102. <p class="has-text-align-none">MMA Fighting reached out to CABMMA regarding the possible injury.</p>
  103.  
  104. <p class="has-text-align-none">“All athletes are evaluated before and after their bouts, following strict safety and health protocols established by international sports regulation standards.” officials said in a statement. “CABMMA reaffirms its commitment to the athletes’ physical integrity and to confidentiality of medical data, in accordance with applicable ethical and legal standards.”</p>
  105.  
  106. <p class="has-text-align-none">Almeida can be cleared to return before the six months is up if “cleared by negative right-hand X-ray.” The fighter did not respond to comments when contacted by MMA Fighting on Monday.</p>
  107.  
  108. <p class="has-text-align-none">Vicente Luque was also handed a 180-day suspension with a possible orbital bone fracture. Saimon Oliveira, Jhonata Diniz and Clayton Carpenter also received long bans.</p>
  109.  
  110. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Check the complete medical suspension below: </strong></p>
  111.  
  112. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  113. <li>Saimon Oliveira — Proximal rupture of the anterior band of MCL complex. Suspended 180 days or cleared by ortho.</li>
  114.  
  115.  
  116.  
  117. <li>Luan Lacerda — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  118.  
  119.  
  120.  
  121. <li>Karolina Kowalkiewicz — Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days</li>
  122.  
  123.  
  124.  
  125. <li>Julia Polastri — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  126.  
  127.  
  128.  
  129. <li>Stewart Nicoll — Suspended 30 days, no contact for 21 days</li>
  130.  
  131.  
  132.  
  133. <li>Lucas Rocha — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  134.  
  135.  
  136.  
  137. <li>Irina Alekseeva — Suspended 60 days, no contact for 45 days</li>
  138.  
  139.  
  140.  
  141. <li>Bia Mesquita — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  142.  
  143.  
  144.  
  145. <li>Thomas Petersen — Suspended 60 days, no contact for 45 days</li>
  146.  
  147.  
  148.  
  149. <li>Vitor Petrino — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  150.  
  151.  
  152.  
  153. <li>Clayton Carpenter — Suspended 180 days or cleared by negative right shoulder MRI. 21 days mandatory rest.</li>
  154.  
  155.  
  156.  
  157. <li>Jafel Filho — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  158.  
  159.  
  160.  
  161. <li>Mike Aswell — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  162.  
  163.  
  164.  
  165. <li>Lucas Almeida — Suspended 180 days or cleared by negative right-hand x-ray. 30 days of mandatory rest</li>
  166.  
  167.  
  168.  
  169. <li>Kaan Ofli — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  170.  
  171.  
  172.  
  173. <li>Ricardo Ramos — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  174.  
  175.  
  176.  
  177. <li>Mario Pinto — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  178.  
  179.  
  180.  
  181. <li>Jhonata Diniz — Suspended 180 days or cleared by negative right elbow MRI. 60 days mandatory by TKO</li>
  182.  
  183.  
  184.  
  185. <li>Joel Alvarez — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  186.  
  187.  
  188.  
  189. <li>Vicente Luque — Suspended 180 days with right orbital fracture, or cleared by OMF (Oral and Maxillofacial doctor). 45 days of mandatory rest.</li>
  190.  
  191.  
  192.  
  193. <li>Montel Jackson — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  194.  
  195.  
  196.  
  197. <li>Deiveson Figueiredo — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  198.  
  199.  
  200.  
  201. <li>Mateusz Gamrot — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  202.  
  203.  
  204.  
  205. <li>Charles Oliveira — Suspended 14 days, no contact for 7 days</li>
  206. </ul>
  207. ]]>
  208. </content>
  209. </entry>
  210. <entry>
  211. <author>
  212. <name>MMA Fighting Newswire</name>
  213. </author>
  214. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Brandon Moreno returns against top flyweight contender at UFC 323]]></title>
  215. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449876/brandon-moreno-returns-against-top-flyweight-contender-at-ufc-323" />
  216. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449876</id>
  217. <updated>2025-10-13T17:45:53-04:00</updated>
  218. <published>2025-10-13T17:00:00-04:00</published>
  219. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  220. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has his next assignment. He’s expected to face Tatsuro Taira in an intriguing matchup added to the UFC 323 lineup on Dec. 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the final pay-per-view broadcast of 2025. Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  221. <content type="html">
  222. <![CDATA[
  223.  
  224. <figure>
  225.  
  226. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2207566874.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  227. <figcaption>
  228. </figcaption>
  229. </figure>
  230. <p class="has-text-align-none">Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has his next assignment.</p>
  231.  
  232. <p class="has-text-align-none">He’s expected to face Tatsuro Taira in an intriguing matchup added to the UFC 323 lineup on Dec. 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the final pay-per-view broadcast of 2025. Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting following an initial report from <a href="https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/1977828235619844575">MMA Junkie.</a></p>
  233.  
  234. <p class="has-text-align-none">Following back-to-back losses, Moreno returned to form with consecutive wins over Steve Erceg and Amir Albazi as he started to climb his way towards title contention again. Recognized as one of the top 125-pound fighters in the world, Moreno has fallen to reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja on three occasions (including an exhibition bout on The Ultimate Fighter) so he might have some work to do to get another title shot but winning in December definitely helps the cause.</p>
  235.  
  236. <p class="has-text-align-none">As for Taira, he’ll look for the biggest win of his career as the 25-year-old flyweight tries to establish himself as a future title contender. After coming up short in a back-and-forth war with Brandon Royval, Taira got a win over Park Hyun-sung in August to move his record to 17-1 overall.</p>
  237.  
  238. <p class="has-text-align-none">Now Taira clashes with Moreno on the same card as the flyweight title fight between Pantoja and Joshua Van.</p>
  239.  
  240. <p class="has-text-align-none">UFC 323 is headlined by a bantamweight title fight as reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on Petr Yan in a rematch. &nbsp;</p>
  241.  
  242. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Mike Heck contributed to this report</em></p>
  243. ]]>
  244. </content>
  245. </entry>
  246. <entry>
  247. <author>
  248. <name>Alexander K. Lee</name>
  249. </author>
  250. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2, flyweight title fight and more announced for UFC 323]]></title>
  251. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449839/merab-dvalishvili-vs-petr-yan-2-flyweight-title-fight-and-more-announced-for-ufc-323" />
  252. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/449839/dnp-alexandre-pantoja-vs-joshua-van-announced-for-ufc-323-main-event</id>
  253. <updated>2025-10-13T17:45:34-04:00</updated>
  254. <published>2025-10-13T15:41:35-04:00</published>
  255. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  256. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The final UFC pay-per-view of 2025 has its headliners. On Monday, UFC CEO Dana White announced bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvilli (21-4) goes for a record-breaking fourth-title defense of the year when he rematches Petr Yan (19-5) in the main event of UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 6. No UFC fighter [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  257. <content type="html">
  258. <![CDATA[
  259.  
  260. <figure>
  261.  
  262. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-1472619343.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  263. <figcaption>
  264. </figcaption>
  265. </figure>
  266. <p class="has-text-align-none">The final UFC pay-per-view of 2025 has its headliners.</p>
  267.  
  268. <p class="has-text-align-none">On Monday, UFC CEO Dana White announced bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvilli (21-4) goes for a record-breaking fourth-title defense of the year when he rematches Petr Yan (19-5) in the main event of UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 6.</p>
  269.  
  270. <p class="has-text-align-none">No UFC fighter has ever successfully defended a title four times in a calendar year.</p>
  271.  
  272. <p class="has-text-align-none">The UFC 323 co-main event was also announced, with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) set to defend his title against Joshua Van (15-2). This is Pantoja’s fifth straight defense of his 125-pound championship.</p>
  273.  
  274. <p class="has-text-align-none">That news was actually broken by Van’s teammate Michael Aswell, who campaigned to be on the same card as his teammate during a post-fight interview at UFC Rio on Saturday following Aswell’s first-round finish of Lucas Almeida.</p>
  275.  
  276. <p class="has-text-align-none">Dvalishvili—currently No. 3 on the <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/448740/mma-pound-for-pound-rankings-alex-pereira-merab-dvalishvili-make-big-moves-after-ufc-320-triumphs">MMA Fighting Pound-For-Pound list</a>—has won 14 straight fights since starting his UFC career 0-2. He defeated Cory Sandhagen in October to record his third title defense following wins against Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov earlier this year.</p>
  277.  
  278. <p class="has-text-align-none">In their first fight in March 2023, Dvalishvili defeated Yan via unanimous decision. That loss put Yan on a three-fight skid, but he has since rebounded with three consecutive victories and both fighters have spoken publicly about wanting to run it back.</p>
  279.  
  280. <p class="has-text-align-none">Pantoja has already successfully defended his belt once this year, defeating Kai Kara-France by third-round submission at UFC 317 in June. His other victories as champion have come against Kai Asakura, Steve Erceg, and Brandon Royval. Among UFC champions, Pantoja currently has the longest active defense streakclose behind at three.</p>
  281.  
  282. <p class="has-text-align-none">This is an enormous opportunity for Van, who just turned 24 in October and has only been competing as pro since 2021. Van emerged as a top prospect finishing seven of his first eight opponents before signing with the UFC in 2023. He has won five straight fights, including a pivotal win over Royval in a Fight of the Year candidate at UFC 317, and his UFC record stands at 8-1.</p>
  283.  
  284. <p class="has-text-align-none">In addition to the two title fights, former bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo returns to action against rising star Payton Talbott in an intriguing matchup at 135 pounds. Also on the card, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz looks to bounce back when he faces Bogdan Guskov on the final pay-per-view event in 2025. </p>
  285.  
  286. <p class="has-text-align-none">The Dec. 6 event also marks the end of UFC’s seven-year broadcast partnership ESPN, with the promotion moving on to a new seven-year deal with Paramount in 2026.</p>
  287. ]]>
  288. </content>
  289. </entry>
  290. <entry>
  291. <author>
  292. <name>José Youngs</name>
  293. </author>
  294. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Anything But Fighting: Youssef Zalal answers random questions]]></title>
  295. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/448769/anything-but-fighting-youssef-zalal-answers-random-questions" />
  296. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=448769</id>
  297. <updated>2025-10-13T15:09:25-04:00</updated>
  298. <published>2025-10-13T15:00:00-04:00</published>
  299. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Videos" />
  300. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[LAS VEGAS — UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal joins MMA Fighting’s José Youngs to discuss everything from his rocky relationship with the Star Wars franchise, his love of superhero films, his almost complete lack of concert experience, and more A longtime UFC standout, ‘The Moroccan Devil’ has been on one of the strongest runs of his [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  301. <content type="html">
  302. <![CDATA[
  303.  
  304. <figure>
  305.  
  306. <img alt="" data-caption="José Youngs and Youssef Zalal" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/youssef-zalal-abf.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  307. <figcaption>
  308. José Youngs and Youssef Zalal </figcaption>
  309. </figure>
  310. <p class="has-text-align-none">LAS VEGAS — UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal  joins MMA Fighting’s José Youngs to discuss everything from his rocky relationship with the Star Wars franchise, his love of superhero films, his almost complete lack of concert experience, and more</p>
  311.  
  312. <p class="has-text-align-none">A longtime UFC standout, ‘The Moroccan Devil’ has been on one of the strongest runs of his career. After fighting his way back into the promotion, Zalal has rattled off five straight victories inside the Octagon, including a 98-second submission win over one-time interim title contender Josh Emmett at UFC 320. The performance not only gave him 18 career wins, but marked his 14th by stoppage.</p>
  313. ]]>
  314. </content>
  315. </entry>
  316. <entry>
  317. <author>
  318. <name>Alexander K. Lee</name>
  319. </author>
  320. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Alex Pereira believes Jon Jones willing to book fight: ‘We don’t have time to waste’]]></title>
  321. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449461/alex-pereira-believes-jon-jones-willing-to-book-fight-we-dont-have-time-to-waste" />
  322. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449461</id>
  323. <updated>2025-10-11T22:49:45-04:00</updated>
  324. <published>2025-10-13T13:00:00-04:00</published>
  325. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  326. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Alex Pereira won’t wait around for Jon Jones like Tom Aspinall did. Mainly because he doesn’t think he’ll have to. “Poatan” is once again on top of the MMA world, following a stunning first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. The fast finish evened the score with Ankalaev, who defeated Pereira at UFC 313 [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  327. <content type="html">
  328. <![CDATA[
  329.  
  330. <figure>
  331.  
  332. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25647254/2172046902.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  333. <figcaption>
  334. </figcaption>
  335. </figure>
  336. <p class="has-text-align-none">Alex Pereira won’t wait around for Jon Jones like Tom Aspinall did.</p>
  337.  
  338. <p class="has-text-align-none">Mainly because he doesn’t think he’ll have to.</p>
  339.  
  340. <p class="has-text-align-none">“Poatan” is once again on top of the MMA world, following a stunning first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. The fast finish evened the score with Ankalaev, who defeated Pereira at UFC 313 in March, and made Pereira a two-time light heavyweight champion.</p>
  341.  
  342. <p class="has-text-align-none">While Pereira may end up defending his title against streaking contender Carlos Ulberg next, there has been plenty of speculation that he may move up to heavyweight or sign on for an oft-discussed megafight with recently retired (and then un-retired) UFC star Jon Jones. If Pereira and his team puts the gears in motion, he believes Jones is eager to make the fight happen.</p>
  343.  
  344. <p class="has-text-align-none">“I don’t think so because that’s something he said in interviews he wants,” Pereira said Friday at a Q&amp;A in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when asked if he’ll have to wait a long time to hear from Jones. “I think he’s on a certain age that’s a little elevated for the sport, like mine, and we don’t have time to waste. I think he will be sincere if he’s interested or not.”</p>
  345.  
  346. <p class="has-text-align-none">Jones received a heavy amount of criticism from media and fans for not fighting interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall while Jones officially held the promotion’s undisputed title. For months, Aspinall made it clear he was interested in unifying the belts, but Jones instead briefly retired in June and relinquished his share of the heavyweight crown before later announcing he would come out of retirement for the chance to fight at the next June’s UFC White House event.</p>
  347.  
  348. <p class="has-text-align-none">Regardless, a matchup between Jones—who has only lost once in his 30-fight career and that was due to disqualification—and Pereira is sure to garner plenty of interest should it be signed. For now, Pereira is keeping his cards close to his vest as far as how the fight would play out.</p>
  349.  
  350. <p class="has-text-align-none">“This is MMA,” Pereira said. “Those who know my work, I always say in my interviews that you either lose or win, but I’ll do my best and prepare myself well to come out with the victory.”</p>
  351.  
  352. <p class="has-text-align-none">A former kickboxing star, Pereira has put together an unbelievable list of accomplishments in MMA despite competing just 16 times under that ruleset. He won the UFC middleweight title in his eighth pro bout with a late knockout of longtime rival Israel Adesanya, and then won the UFC light heavyweight title in his 11th pro bout by defeating Jiri Prochazka. He went on to defend that title three consecutive times in 2024, each time by KO/TKO.</p>
  353.  
  354. <p class="has-text-align-none">Pereira is a surefire UFC Hall of Fame inductee and inarguably one of the greatest fighters of this era, but he’s not interested in speculating whether a win over Jones would put him ahead of Jones on the greatest of all time list.</p>
  355.  
  356. <p class="has-text-align-none">“Results and records are not on my control,” Pereira said. “Sometimes we do things and people who have to validate that don’t do it. I’ll only do my job and if they think I’m the best or the No. 2 or in last place, that’s not in my control.”</p>
  357.  
  358. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Guilherme Cruz contributed to this report.</em></p>
  359. ]]>
  360. </content>
  361. </entry>
  362. <entry>
  363. <author>
  364. <name>Damon Martin</name>
  365. </author>
  366. <title type="html"><![CDATA[B.J. Penn ordered to undergo mental health evaluation, judge pauses criminal cases against him]]></title>
  367. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449847/b-j-penn-ordered-to-undergo-mental-health-evaluation-judge-pauses-criminal-cases-against-him" />
  368. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449847</id>
  369. <updated>2025-10-13T12:31:36-04:00</updated>
  370. <published>2025-10-13T12:31:36-04:00</published>
  371. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  372. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation by a doctor to determine if he’s fit to participate and move forward in the criminal cases against him after being arrested numerous times in 2025. On Oct. 8, Judge Peter Kubota suspended the criminal proceedings against Penn for the [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  373. <content type="html">
  374. <![CDATA[
  375.  
  376. <figure>
  377.  
  378. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/08/gettyimages-1143147303.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  379. <figcaption>
  380. </figcaption>
  381. </figure>
  382. <p class="has-text-align-none">UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation by a doctor to determine if he’s fit to participate and move forward in the criminal cases against him after being arrested numerous times in 2025.</p>
  383.  
  384. <p class="has-text-align-none">On Oct. 8, Judge Peter Kubota suspended the criminal proceedings against Penn for the time being until he’s examined for “fitness and penal responsibility” after the court found reason to doubt his mental fitness in regards to the case being allowed to proceed.</p>
  385.  
  386. <p class="has-text-align-none">Penn was ordered to undergo testing with a doctor at the Adult Mental Health Division in Hawaii. The former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion is due back in court on Jan. 9, when the judge will decide next steps in the criminal complaint against him.</p>
  387.  
  388. <p class="has-text-align-none">The mental health professional examining Penn is expected to submit an opinion to the court “as to Defendant&#8217;s fitness to proceed, i.e., Defendant&#8217;s capacity to understand the proceedings against Defendant and to assist in Defendant&#8217;s own defense.”</p>
  389.  
  390. <p class="has-text-align-none">If the mental health professional finds Penn is unable to understand the charges against him or he’s unfit for trial, several recommendations are then presented to the court, which include the veteran fighter being remanded to “an appropriate institution for detention, care, and treatment.”</p>
  391.  
  392. <p class="has-text-align-none">The court also ordered an opinion submitted even if Penn refuses to undergo the mental health evaluation, which could also potentially result in the fighter being ordered to detention in a treatment care facility.</p>
  393.  
  394. <p class="has-text-align-none">Penn has been arrested five times already in 2025 after he was initially taken into custody on two different occasions for abuse of a family or household member. The family member was Penn’s mother Lorraine Shin, who was also granted a restraining order against her son that he went on to violate several times, which led to additional arrests.</p>
  395.  
  396. <p class="has-text-align-none">Shin accused Penn of “extreme psychological abuse” after he began claiming his family had been “killed” and replaced with imposters.</p>
  397.  
  398. <p class="has-text-align-none">The disturbing allegations against Penn started after Shin claimed she returned home from a trip and found all of her belongings removed from her bedroom. Penn denied any involvement in the missing property. A few days later, Shin claimed her purse was stolen from a safe, which led to her making a theft report with police.</p>
  399.  
  400. <p class="has-text-align-none">Prior to filing for the restraining order, Shin told police she returned home from a separate trip and found Penn had allegedly put duct tape over her security cameras and glue into the deadbolt lock on her bedroom door to prevent her from entering. Shin later accused Penn of stealing her mail and when she claimed she found the mail in the back of a vehicle that belonged to one of her son’s friends, the 46-year-old fighter denied the accusation and allegedly grabbed Shin’s arms and shoved her against the car, which led to his mother screaming at the top of her lungs for her son Reagan Penn to help her.</p>
  401.  
  402. <p class="has-text-align-none">B.J. Penn was eventually arrested and told to stay away from his mother for the next 48 hours, but Shin claims he returned to the home and presented video evidence as proof to police, which led to Penn’s second arrest in as many days.</p>
  403.  
  404. <p class="has-text-align-none">“I believe my son [B.J. Penn] is suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome (a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusion that a friend, spouse, parent, other close family member has been replaced by an identical imposter),” Shin told police when filing for the restraining order. “He believes I’m an imposter who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets.</p>
  405.  
  406. <p class="has-text-align-none">“In the best interest for my safety, I ask the court for a six-month [temporary restraining order] and have my son ordered to get medical treatment or other source of therapy.”</p>
  407.  
  408. <p class="has-text-align-none">Penn has continued to post the accusations about his family being replaced by imposters on social media with the 46-year-old also writing a “statement” after being arrested multiple times that read, “when a hero falls, cowards rejoice.”</p>
  409.  
  410. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  411. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPnEtFmkTpZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPnEtFmkTpZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> <div> <div></div> <div> <div></div> <div></div></div></div><div></div> <div></div><div> <div>View this post on Instagram</div></div><div></div> <div><div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div></div><div> <div></div> <div></div></div><div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div></div></div> <div> <div></div> <div></div></div></a><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPnEtFmkTpZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jay Penn (@bjpenn)</a></p></div></blockquote>
  412. </div></figure>
  413.  
  414. <p class="has-text-align-none">The court is now ordering Penn to undergo a mental health evaluation with a doctor expected to report back within seven days of his next scheduled in January.</p>
  415. ]]>
  416. </content>
  417. </entry>
  418. <entry>
  419. <author>
  420. <name>Alexander K. Lee</name>
  421. </author>
  422. <author>
  423. <name>Mike Heck</name>
  424. </author>
  425. <author>
  426. <name>Damon Martin</name>
  427. </author>
  428. <author>
  429. <name>Jed Meshew</name>
  430. </author>
  431. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Roundtable: What is the best UFC fight still to come in 2025?]]></title>
  432. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449096/roundtable-what-is-the-best-ufc-fight-still-to-come-in-2025" />
  433. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449096</id>
  434. <updated>2025-10-11T22:47:50-04:00</updated>
  435. <published>2025-10-13T11:00:00-04:00</published>
  436. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" />
  437. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[It’s been an eventful 2025 campaign for the UFC, with dominant champions changing divisions, new stars staking their claim to title shots, and established stars continuing to build their legacies. Even with marquee names like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor remaining out of the picture-despite their best efforts to convince us otherwise-the world’s preeminent MMA [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  438. <content type="html">
  439. <![CDATA[
  440.  
  441. <figure>
  442.  
  443. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2194651535.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  444. <figcaption>
  445. </figcaption>
  446. </figure>
  447. <p class="has-drop-cap has-text-align-none"><em>It’s been an eventful 2025 campaign for the UFC, with dominant champions changing divisions, new stars staking their claim to title shots, and established stars continuing to build their legacies. Even with marquee names like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor remaining out of the picture-despite their best efforts to convince us otherwise-the world’s preeminent MMA promotion hasn’t missed a step (at least as far as profit margins are concerned).</em></p>
  448.  
  449. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em>There are still plenty of meetings to take place inside the octagon over the next two and a half months before the UFC White House talk ramps up even more, so MMA Fighting’s <em>Alexander K. Lee</em></em>, <em>Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and Damon Martin teamed up to pick the fights we’re most looking forward to before 2026 rolls in.</em></p>
  450.  
  451. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
  452.  
  453. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Lee:</strong> I called dibs on the obvious choice here: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev.</p>
  454. <img src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/08/gettyimages-2214451092.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: Jack Della Maddalena of Australia reacts after his unanimous-decision victory against Belal Muhammad in the UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)" data-portal-copyright="" />
  455. <p class="has-text-align-none">The Nov. 15 UFC 322 main event feels like a fitting climax to the 2025 Pound-for-Pound debate (though Alexandre Pantoja may have something to say about it in December), with Makhachev, Della Maddalena, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili all making their case to be considered the No. 1 guy in all of MMA. Sure, making Topuria have to beat Makhachev to win the lightweight belt made a ton of sense, but once Della Maddalena beat up Makhachev’s buddy Belal Muhammad, the stage was set for a megafight no one even considered 12 months ago.</p>
  456.  
  457. <p class="has-text-align-none">And the way Della Maddalena handled Muhammad makes it much easier to imagine him dealing with Makhachev’s wrestling and defense, especially given the size advantage “JDM” will have on fight night. Makhachev is the deserved favorite and could well run through Della Maddalena (I doubt it), but if he puts on a career-best performance, we’re going to have a serious conversation about whether he’s surpassed the accomplishments of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.</p>
  458.  
  459. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Heck:</strong> Looking at what’s currently on the books, I thought there were a few more compelling choices, honestly. But since it’s the best division in the sport, and because it’s a big one, I’ll go with the UFC Qatar main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker on Nov. 22.</p>
  460. <img src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/08/gettyimages-2148561092.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0.0048685491723504,0,99.990262901655,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia reacts to the decision in a lightweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
  461. <p class="has-text-align-none">Let’s be clear, Tsarukyan shouldn’t even be in this fight as he should be fighting Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title. But I totally understand the UFC pivoting to either Paddy Pimblett or Justin Gaethje to make Topuria happy. Now we get the division’s top contender facing, quite possibly, the biggest dog in the division. X’s and O’s, Tsarukyan should win this fight convincingly, but Hooker is super good at taking great fighters into deep waters — see Dustin Poirier and Mateusz Gamrot. Tsarukyan is yet to win a UFC main event, and the last time he was booked in such a spot, you all know what happened. A win here should lock up Tsarukyan fighting for the title in 2026.</p>
  462.  
  463. <p class="has-text-align-none">For Hooker, a win here puts him in a great spot. He may not get the lightweight title shot, but he’ll most certainly get the BMF title shot against Max Holloway. The stakes are high, and there’s no way this fight isn’t fun. </p>
  464.  
  465. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Meshew:</strong> So, the honest answer is whatever headlines UFC 323 in December, because mystery is the heart of excitement. Who doesn’t love a mystery box, after all? It could be anything! Perhaps the UFC ends its ESPN deal with a bang and books Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria? You never know!</p>
  466.  
  467. <p class="has-text-align-none">But, in the absence of the choosing the great mystery, I shall default to the one, true answer: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili. </p>
  468. <img src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/08/gettyimages-2198473286.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,1.8747424804285,100,96.250515039143" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Zhang Weili of China reacts after a victory against Tatiana Suarez in the UFC strawweight championship fight during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)" data-portal-copyright="" />
  469. <p class="has-text-align-none">Shevchenko vs. Zhang is not just the best fight on the books right now, it’s the best fight, on paper, that the UFC can make in the entire sport. This is the first time in the history of women’s MMA that the No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound fighters in the world are facing off with each other. That’s remarkable. But more than that, this isn’t just a pairing of the top two women in the sport, it’s a matchup of two of the four greatest women to ever compete. Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, and Zhang Weili are generally considered to be the greatest female fighters of all time. Nunes fought two of her peers, and now Shevchenko gets to fight a second on of hers. </p>
  470.  
  471. <p class="has-text-align-none">On top of that, it’s a fascinating matchup. Zhang has looked unbeatable at 115 pounds since reclaiming the title, and she’s finally moving up to flyweight. Meanwhile, Shevchenko appears to be past her prime, but she’s still reclaimed her belt and defended it against the clear-cut No. 1 contender. This is the sort of fight that comes around once or twice in a generation, and the winner may end up staking a claim as the greatest to ever compete. That’s gotta be the one I’m most interested in.</p>
  472.  
  473. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Martin:</strong> It&#8217;s not the sexiest answer but for me it’s the UFC Qatar co-main event between Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry. Actually, this should probably be the main event or at least a five-round fight because the stakes are high for both men.</p>
  474. <img src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2163824398.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,1.4819326025173,100,97.036134794965" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Belal Muhammad poses on the scale during the UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-in at Co-op Live on July 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
  475. <p class="has-text-align-none">After finally achieving his dream and becoming welterweight champion with a win over Leon Edwards, Muhammad’s reign came to a quick end after he decided to show off his “Canelo hands” against Jack Della Maddalena and subsequently lost his title. At 37, Muhammad is hitting an age where fighters rarely get better and it always seems like Father Time is stalking them like the grim reaper. If he ever hopes to get back into title contention again, Muhammad has to win and shut down a guy who won’t stop talking between now and November.</p>
  476.  
  477. <p class="has-text-align-none">Garry has been telling anybody who will listen he’s destined to become UFC champion and while he came up short in his first bid at earning a title shot when he fell to Shavkat Rakhmonov, the Irish welterweight has a new lease on life after picking apart Carlos Prates and now getting Muhammad as an opponent. Rakhmonov has effectively disappeared and the only other person who could make a compelling argument for a title shot would be Sean Brady if he keeps building on the momentum of his own win streak.</p>
  478.  
  479. <p class="has-text-align-none">This is an old school matchup of grappler versus striker and either Muhammad reclaims his spot atop the division with a chance to become champion again or Garry vaults past him and immediately becomes the top contender at 170 pounds.</p>
  480.  
  481. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
  482.  
  483. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  484. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16143741" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16143741&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  485. </div></figure>
  486. ]]>
  487. </content>
  488. </entry>
  489. <entry>
  490. <author>
  491. <name>Mike Heck</name>
  492. </author>
  493. <title type="html"><![CDATA[‘I had to end him’: Jiri Prochazka sends message to Khalil Rountree after insane UFC 320 battle]]></title>
  494. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/449545/i-had-to-end-him-jiri-prochazka-sends-message-to-khalil-rountree-after-insane-ufc-320-battle" />
  495. <id>https://www.mmafighting.com/?p=449545</id>
  496. <updated>2025-10-13T09:14:52-04:00</updated>
  497. <published>2025-10-13T09:00:00-04:00</published>
  498. <category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="UFC News" /><category scheme="https://www.mmafighting.com" term="Videos" />
  499. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Jiri Prochazka is proud to have shared the octagon with Khalil Rountree. The two popular light heavyweights collided in a must-see bout at UFC 320 earlier this month. After Rountree won the first two rounds, Prochazka decided to go for broke in Round 3, which led to a vicious beating that knocked Rountree out cold. [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  500. <content type="html">
  501. <![CDATA[
  502.  
  503. <figure>
  504.  
  505. <img alt="Jiri Prochazka" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.mmafighting.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/109/2025/10/gettyimages-2239284995.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  506. <figcaption>
  507. </figcaption>
  508. </figure>
  509. <p class="has-text-align-none">Jiri Prochazka is proud to have shared the octagon with Khalil Rountree.</p>
  510.  
  511. <p class="has-text-align-none">The two popular light heavyweights collided in a must-see bout at UFC 320 earlier this month. After Rountree won the first two rounds, Prochazka decided to go for broke in Round 3, which led to a vicious beating that knocked Rountree out cold. </p>
  512.  
  513. <p class="has-text-align-none">Because of the damage done by Prochazka, Rountree was helped out of the octagon and wasn’t around for the official decision being announced. Prochazka didn’t get a chance to speak to Rountree after the fight, so he was asked to send a message to the recent title challenger.</p>
  514.  
  515. <p class="has-text-align-none">“The first thing I want to say to Khalil: Thank you,” Prochazka told MMA Fighting. “Thank you for the amazing fight. Thank you, because every time, when you share the cage with some opponents, he&#8217;s also your teacher because he&#8217;s teaching you how to overcome him, how to overcome his attacks, how to learn, how to be better, because that&#8217;s what we are doing. … I&#8217;m sharpening him, he&#8217;s sharpening me. </p>
  516.  
  517. <p class="has-text-align-none">“That&#8217;s the point of fighting, to be better — to be better as a humans, and to find a way how to overcome somebody, even ourselves, by our performance, to find a way how to be better in our performance, how to be better than our opponents. … I&#8217;m thankful to him, to share the cage with him, and especially with him, because there was not too many opponents as dynamic and tough like him.”</p>
  518.  
  519. <p class="has-text-align-none">Prochazka is now 2-0 in 2025, which includes a knockout win over former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January. </p>
  520.  
  521. <p class="has-text-align-none">“BJP” hopes the win puts him in position to fight for the light heavyweight title next — whether it’s against Alex Pereira, or anybody else — but after rewatching the bout, Prochazka wasn’t overly thrilled with what he saw prior to the third round.</p>
  522.  
  523. <p class="has-text-align-none">“I&#8217;ve thought about [what this win meant], it was for me really something where I didn&#8217;t show what I really worked on,” Prochazka said. “I just saw that fight and I was, I don&#8217;t want to say disgusted by my performance, but I want to say, I was better [than what I showed]. I was much better and I really worked to show my improvement, to show what I’ve worked [on],  to be much better in counter timing and much better in working with the space between us, and about the movement. </p>
  524.  
  525. <p class="has-text-align-none">“But in the end, I just had to make a big step back down to the basics — hard work, total hunting, and just hard work. Going through [a fighter like] Khalil just by hard work. Nothing else. Just to hunt him, and this is something that I don’t like to do in the sparring, and in fighting because it is the last thing and it&#8217;s so [high] risk to do that. So, this for me, [was] like last option, and after two rounds, what I wanted to find [was something good] tactically, some good strategy to end it, to catch him, to find some set up for Khalil. I just had to go back to the basics because it was really necessary, because it was the last round. I had to end Khalil by knockout. I had to end him.</p>
  526.  
  527. <p class="has-text-align-none">“[The only possibility was] to win by knockout so that&#8217;s why I&#8217;m happy that I [found] a way.”</p>
  528.  
  529. <p class="has-text-align-none">Prochazka hopes he can avenge his two losses to Pereira, and considers it a “dream” scenario — which is why he was so emotional cageside watching Pereira’s lopsided stoppage win over Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 320 main event.</p>
  530.  
  531. <p class="has-text-align-none">Of course, he likely gave Pereira an A grade for the 80-second knockout victory over his rival, but the studious Prochazka graded his own performance on a tougher scale.</p>
  532.  
  533. <p class="has-text-align-none">“[I give it a] C,” Prochazka said. “C because not good, not bad. Maybe a little bit bad, but in the end, you find a way. So that is a C.”</p>
  534. ]]>
  535. </content>
  536. </entry>
  537. </feed>
  538.  

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