Fighters depend on their opponents to show up, ready to battle, and fans rely on fighters to deliver on their promises. When it comes to Russian middleweight Ikram Aliskerov, trust has become a central issue in his budding UFC career. After only two fights within the organization, Aliskerov has faced a string of unforeseen challenges, leaving him questioning whether he can trust one particular opponent - the formidable Paulo Costa. Aliskerov's UFC journey began with a bang when he dispatched Phil Hawes in just over two minutes in May. A showdown with Costa was scheduled for July, but Costa's contractual disputes led to the fight's postponement, and then cancellation. The Russian fighter was then matched against Nassourine Imaov at UFC 294, only for visa issues to replace Imaov with Warlley Alves. Aliskerov didn't miss a beat, securing his third-straight first-round finish with a spectacular jumping switch knee. When asked about the possibility of revisiting the fight with Costa, Aliskerov's response was laden with uncertainty: "Yeah, I'd like to fight him, but I don't know if I can trust him anymore." His doubts stem from Costa's history of withdrawing from fights, often leaving his opponents and fans disappointed. Aliskerov wanted to confront Costa personally during their time in Abu Dhabi, but the fight never materialized. He expressed his frustration by saying, "If you promise something, if you say you're going to take a fight, you've got to fight. That's what a man does." Aliskerov's training efforts were considerable, and he felt let down when Costa withdrew at the last minute. Costa's recent withdrawal from a fight against Khamzat Chimaev due to a staph infection only deepened Aliskerov's reservations. Aliskerov had previously fought Chimaev in 2019, and he was skeptical of Costa's commitment to any fight, predicting that "even from this fight he was going to take off." The uncertainty surrounding Paulo Costa's reliability has left Aliskerov, and many fans, questioning whether they can trust the Brazilian fighter in the future.

Paulo Costa was supposed to fight in the UFC 294 cage, but he ended up fighting outside it on Saturday at Etihad Arena. The video below shows Costa fending off several attackers, one of whom jumped at him as UFC security stepped in. It was not clear who they were or what caused the brawl. Costa shared the video on his social media with a message for Khamzat Chimaev, who was his original opponent. The crowd booed Costa on Saturday. He had to pull out of the pay-per-view event because of a staph infection that needed three surgeries and put him in the hospital for a while. He showed some pictures of his healing elbow after he was off the card. Chimaev beat Usman by majority decision and kept winning. Costa’s last fight was in August 2022, when he beat former champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278

Justin Gaethje wants another chance at the UFC Lightweight title. He saw Islam Makhachev’s quick win over Alex Volkanovski in the first round at UFC 294. Makhachev knocked him down with a head kick and finished him with punches. Now, everyone is wondering who will face Makhachev next for the belt. Charles Oliveira was supposed to fight Islam again, but he got injured in training. Some people think Oliveira deserves it because he beat Gaethje and Beneil Dariush. But on the UFC 294 post-fight show, Justin Gaethje said that he thinks the fans want to see him fight Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title (h/t MMAFighting). “I’m the second-ranked fighter, I knocked out Poirier,” Gaethje said on the UFC 294 post-fight show. “Oliveira is ahead of me, but he lost to Makhachev already. I haven’t fought Makhachev yet. It’s a new and exciting matchup, and I think that’s what the fans are looking for. “I think Makhachev would have beaten Oliveira the same way [as Volkanovski]. Oliveira beat me, but MMA math doesn’t work. I’ve said he’s not Khabib [Nurmagomedov], but he could be, so I just want to go out there and find out.” Gaethje also said that even though Islam seems unbeatable, he would give him everything he has if he gets a chance. “I’ve been around for a long time,” Gaethje said. “I’ve been doing this s*** for a long time, but I earned my spot. I knocked out Dustin Poirier. “Can Islam Makhachev be beaten? I don’t know, but I’m going to give it my all as I always have.

Dillon Danis has parted ways with Bellator MMA after his contract was terminated by the promotion. MMA Fighting confirmed the report on Saturday, which was first tweeted by Ariel Helwani. Danis had only two professional MMA fights under the Bellator banner, both of which he won by submission in 2019. He was a multiple-time grappling champion, but he was still a novice in MMA, as his two opponents had a combined record of 5-8. Injuries kept him from fighting again after 2019, but he tried his hand at influencer boxing instead. He missed his first bout against KSI, but he faced Logan Paul in a six-round match, which he lost by disqualification due to a poor performance. He appealed the decision, but to no avail. Danis has always expressed his ambition to fight in the UFC someday, but it is doubtful that the promotion would be interested in a 2-0 fighter who has been inactive in MMA for over four years. Danis is a close friend of UFC star Conor McGregor, so he might have some chances to get into MMA again.

Dana White has an idea of who Islam Makhachev will fight next after UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev (25-1 MMA) defended his lightweight title in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski (26-3 MMA) in the main event. They had fought before in February at UFC 284, where Makhachev won a disputed decision over the Australian. Makhachev ended the rematch in the first round with a perfect head kick. He dropped ‘The Great’ and finished him with punches. After the event, UFC CEO Dana White talked to the media at the press conference and shared his plans for the lightweight division. He was asked who Makhachev would face next between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. White said this (h/t TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter). “You’ve got to give it to Oliveira… But again, these are all questions I can’t really answer right now.” Makhachev and Oliveira had fought before at UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight title. The Russian won by second-round submission. Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA) fought last in July at UFC 291. He won the BMF title by knocking out former interim champ Dustin Poirier in round two. Makhachev said he was ready to fight anyone Dana White and the UFC offered him.

Alexander Volkanovski explained why he agreed to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice after losing to him at UFC 294. Volkanovski (26-3 MMA) and Makhachev (25-1 MMA) fought for the second time in the main event of UFC 294, with the lightweight title on the line. They had first fought in February at UFC 284, where Makhachev won a controversial decision over the featherweight champion. Makhachev was supposed to face Charles Oliveira today in Abu Dhabi, but Oliveira pulled out two weeks ago due to a bad cut. Dana White and his team then offered Volkanovski the fight on short notice. Volkanovski accepted quickly, which many people doubted, including former double champion Daniel Cormier. Volkanovski thought he could beat the odds on short notice, but he was wrong. Makhachev finished him in the first round with a powerful head kick and ground strikes. After the fight, Volkanovski talked to the media at the press conference and shared his thoughts on taking the short notice rematch. “You know, I could have done things differently. But, you know, he’s not someone you should fight on short notice. I needed it. It wasn’t just for the money or anything like that. It was more than that. You know, it’s hard, it’s really hard for athletes. I didn’t think I’d have a problem with it. But, for some reason, when I wasn’t fighting or training… I just needed a fight. And then this chance came up.” Alexander Volkanovski added: “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t training as much as I should have, but I felt like I had to do it. I had to take it, or I felt like it was… You know, I was telling myself it was destiny. Obviously, I was having a hard time not fighting. Going crazy. I don’t know why. Everything is fine. I have a beautiful family, but I don’t know. I think you just have to keep busy. That’s why I asked the UFC to keep me busy. Because I need to be busy. I need to be training. Otherwise, I’m going to lose my mind. So you know, that’s it. That’s all I have to say.”

UFC 294 bore witness to an explosive clash between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, but it was a ringside physician's questionable decision that stole the spotlight. In the early moments of their light heavyweight showdown, Walker absorbed a massive knee strike from Ankalaev while he was on the canvas, causing a temporary halt in the action. However, what followed was a controversial and abrupt stoppage by the ringside doctor. The controversy stemmed from the doctor's examination of Walker immediately after he got back on his feet. The physician posed questions to him, including identifying the location of the fight. When Walker couldn't provide a sufficiently coherent response, the doctor promptly relayed his concerns to the referee, leading to the fight's termination. The bout was declared a no-contest due to an unintentional foul committed by Ankalaev. In the aftermath of this decision, UFC CEO Dana White voiced his strong disapproval of the doctor's actions during the post-fight press conference. White bluntly stated, "The guy's inexperienced." He believes that several factors may have contributed to this mishap, including a potential language barrier between Walker, whose first language is not English, and the doctor. White clarified, "I guess he asked him 'where are you right now?' and his response was 'I'm in the desert.' He's not wrong." White's comments point to a misunderstanding exacerbated by the language barrier, creating an unfortunate situation. While this incident left fans and fighters bewildered, White assured that the UFC would address the matter and rectify it. As for what lies ahead for Ankalaev and Walker, White did not specify whether a rematch was in the cards. However, past scenarios with similar circumstances have been resolved with a rematch, providing hope for fans eager to see these fighters settle their unfinished business. It's another twist in Ankalaev's recent fights, as he walked away from UFC 294 without a win on his record, following a draw in his bout with Jan Blachowicz that cost him the UFC light heavyweight title. Now, the question remains whether a do-over will be the path to resolution in this tumultuous rivalry.

In a jaw-dropping co-main event at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev showcased his indomitable spirit as he clinched a hard-fought majority decision win over the formidable Kamaru Usman. It was a relentless battle that almost saw Chimaev secure a finish in the opening round, setting the stage for an epic showdown. From the opening bell, Chimaev wasted no time, immediately shooting for a takedown. In the blink of an eye, Chimaev darted forward, snatching Usman's leg and bringing him to the canvas. He swiftly transitioned to take Usman's back, delivering a relentless assault of punches and elbows as Usman defended himself from a compromising position. Chimaev's dominance continued as he rained down blows, forcing Usman to stand. In an intense moment, Chimaev nearly secured a standing rear-naked choke, but Usman's defensive dive broke the hold, although Chimaev retained his dominant position. The fight progressed to the second round, with Usman finally finding his striking rhythm. He landed a well-timed jab that popped Chimaev, who had slowed his pace. Usman capitalized on this, setting up combinations with a crisp right hand that landed on Chimaev's chin. In the round's final minute, Chimaev managed a late takedown but failed to capitalize before the horn sounded. With renewed aggression in the final round, Usman's punches found their target consistently. A couple of those strikes snapped Chimaev's head around, but he clung to a leg, taking Usman back to the mat. Despite the dominant position, Chimaev struggled to inflict significant damage as Usman regained his footing. The fight concluded with a wild flurry, but Chimaev's takedown and ground control swayed two judges in his favor, ultimately determining the outcome of the contest. A late takedown by Chimaev in the third round proved pivotal in securing the victory, with judges' scores reading 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28, awarding him a hard-earned majority decision win. After the grueling contest, Chimaev didn't call for a title shot. Instead, he expressed his admiration for his opponent and his desire to earn money and happiness in the sport. "I'm a big fan of Usman," Chimaev remarked. "He has good coaches, a good team. I didn't come here for the titles; I'm here to make money and be happy." UFC CEO Dana White had previously declared that the victor would receive the next opportunity to challenge middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Thus, Chimaev's remarkable triumph over the welterweight legend Usman propels him into his next assignment after securing the biggest win of his career.

In the electrifying main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev left the MMA world in awe as he scored a sensational first-round knockout over Alexander Volkanovski. This victory decisively settled any remaining debate from their initial encounter and showcased Makhachev's extraordinary skill set. From the opening bell, Makhachev displayed his striking prowess with an onslaught of devastating kicks, targeting Volkanovski's legs and body. After a missed takedown attempt, he quickly regrouped and unleashed a head kick that seemed to appear out of thin air. It collided with Volkanovski's cranium, sending the UFC featherweight champion crashing to the canvas in a heap. Makhachev followed Volkanovski to the ground and delivered a few more punches before referee Marc Goddard wisely halted the contest. The official stoppage occurred a mere 3 minutes and 6 seconds into the first round. In the post-fight interview, Makhachev humbly credited his team for the stunning performance, saying, "Honestly, I have a great team. They push me very hard in training. That’s why this happened today. I showed him a couple of low kicks and body kicks and then changed to a high kick. This is what we've been planning for the last couple of months for [Charles] Oliveira and nothing changed, the same for Volkanovski." Makhachev also showed tremendous respect for his defeated opponent, saying, "I want to say thank you to this guy, he’s a real champion. He never gives up. He’s a real champion, thank you, Alex, again." Makhachev's swift dismantling of Volkanovski was a stark contrast to their previous five-round battle in February. The new strategy involved opening up with kicks to the legs and body, which set up the fatal head kick. Makhachev initially displayed his wrestling skills, but Volkanovski's defense held strong. However, a relentless series of kicks and feints caused Volkanovski to become defensive, leading to the fight's climax. After launching the head kick that found its target, the end was near. Volkanovski was sent sprawling backward, leading to a rapid stoppage. Although Volkanovski sported brutal cuts over his eyes following the fight, he was graceful in defeat, acknowledging Makhachev's incredible performance. "Great set up, good kick," Volkanovski admitted. "I don’t like losing, it hurts me, but he’s a great champion. Credit to Islam, great kick. Please keep me busy; I don’t do well when I’m sitting at home." With this stunning victory, Makhachev solidifies his position as the best lightweight fighter in the world. The future looks bright for him, with potential matchups against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje on the horizon. As Makhachev exclaimed, "I never choose; Dana, you have some job, give me someone." MMA fans can't wait to see who's next in line to face the unstoppable Makhachev.

Sean Strickland rejected an offer to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 for his middleweight title. The original plan was Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) vs. Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) at UFC 294. But Costa pulled out because of a bad staph infection. Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA) agreed to replace Costa with only 10 days notice. But before Usman, Sean Strickland was the first choice when Costa withdrew. ‘ESPN‘ says that Strickland, the new middleweight champion, turned down his first title defence against Chimaev at UFC 294 because it was too soon. Strickland had just beaten Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA) by unanimous decision at UFC 293 last month and won the title. After Strickland said no, Jared Cannonier (17-6 MMA) was the next option. But ‘The Killa Gorilla’ had an injury from training and could not take the fight. Then they called Kamaru Usman. Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz told ‘ESPN’ what happened: “Kamaru — his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. I was like, ‘This guy knows something I don’t know.’ And he’s like, ‘Hey, they’re gonna take care of me (financially)?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ And he said, ‘Let’s do it.’” This shows what happens behind the scenes when a fighter drops out of a big fight. Usman, 36, was very happy to get the call and ready to fight ‘Borz’.

When it comes to boxing, every detail matters – from your training regimen to your choice of equipment. While many people focus on gloves, shorts, and mouthguards, there's one essential piece of gear that often gets overlooked: boxing shoes. Choosing the right boxing shoes can make a significant difference in your performance and overall experience in the ring. In this guide, we'll walk you through the important factors to consider when selecting the best boxing shoes for your needs. Fit and Comfort The first rule in choosing boxing shoes is to prioritize fit and comfort. Ill-fitting shoes can cause discomfort, blisters, and even injuries during training and bouts. Make sure you try on several pairs, ideally with the same wraps or socks you'll wear while boxing. Your boxing shoes should snugly support your feet, providing enough room for toe movement without being too loose. Ankle Support Boxing shoes are designed to provide ankle support, which is crucial for stability during lateral movements and pivots. Look for shoes with a high-top design that provides proper ankle support, reducing the risk of sprains and enhancing your overall balance. Weight and Material Lightweight boxing shoes are preferred by most fighters as they allow for faster footwork and agility. Many modern boxing shoes are constructed from lightweight materials like synthetic leather or mesh. These materials offer the perfect balance between durability and weight. Sole and Traction The sole of a boxing shoe is a critical factor to consider. Opt for a shoe with a non-marking, rubber or gum sole for optimal grip and traction on the canvas. The sole should also be flat, as this allows for better contact with the ground and improved balance. Some shoes feature a pivot point on the sole, which can be particularly useful for pivoting during footwork. Closure System Boxing shoes come with different closure systems, such as laces, straps, or a combination of both. Laces allow for a customized fit, while straps offer quick and easy adjustments. Choose the system that suits your preferences and ensures a secure fit. Budget Boxing shoes can range from budget-friendly to high-end. The best boxing shoes for you will depend on your budget and level of commitment to the sport. High-end shoes often come with advanced features and materials, but there are plenty of affordable options that provide excellent performance for beginners and intermediate boxers. Conclusion Choosing the best boxing shoes is an essential step in your boxing journey. Prioritizing fit, comfort, ankle support, weight, sole quality, ventilation, closure system, and style will help you find the perfect pair that suits your needs. Remember that your boxing shoes are not just an accessory but a crucial tool in your training and in the ring. With the right shoes, you can step into the ring with confidence. Knowing your feet are well-equipped for any challenge that comes your way. So lace up, step in, and unleash your full boxing potential! Read more fight tips with Fight.TV!

A recent photo with Dana White suggests that Michael ‘Venom’ Page may join the UFC soon. The British fighter, who was a Bellator title contender, has not fought since he knocked out Goiti Yamaguchi in March. That was a comeback victory for Michael Venom Page, who lost a close decision to Logan Storley last August. That was his first shot at the belt, but he may get another chance. His contract with Bellator expired after his win at Bellator 292. He became a free agent for the first time in more than 10 years. He quickly expressed his interest in moving to the UFC and got challenged by Michael Pereira and others. Michael Venom Page’s free agency status has been quiet for months. But he recently shared on social media that he met with Dana White. The date of the photo is unknown but it was posted on Instagram stories today. Michael Venom Page also attended the UFC 294 weigh-ins this morning. There is no information about a possible deal with the UFC yet. But his meeting with Dana White and his presence at the weigh-ins look promising for the British fighter. Michael Venom Page would be the second big Bellator free agent to switch to the UFC in recent years. Michael Chandler did the same in late 2020 and it turned out to be a great move.