Fighters often speak volumes through their actions inside the octagon. Israel Adesanya, the former middleweight champion, is no stranger to this notion. After a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and personal challenges stemming from a guilty plea for drunk driving, "The Last Stylebender" has made a bold decision – he's stepping away from the cage for an extended hiatus. Adesanya's loss to Strickland at the September pay-per-view event was a turning point in his career. Despite the setbacks, Adesanya showed his character by giving full credit to his opponent. "I’m not making any excuses," he declared. "Strickland got me on the night because he was the better fighter on the night. He did his work well, he had a good team behind him." Adesanya understands the need to focus on self-care and self-improvement. He acknowledges the need for a break but is adamant that this isn't a signal of retirement. He's determined to make the necessary lifestyle changes and adaptations to come back stronger. "I’m going to heal myself up," Adesanya asserted. "You won’t see me fight for a long time." The fighter, known for his electrifying style and resilience, has faced a series of challenges recently, losing two of his last three fights. However, he started 2023 with a spectacular knockout victory against Alex Pereira at UFC 287, recapturing the 185-pound title. The unexpected vacancy in the UFC 294 lineup, originally intended for Khamzat Chimaev's opponent, briefly piqued Adesanya's interest. Yet, he and his team decided that it wasn't the right time to return. However, when he does, Adesanya sends a warning to the entire division. "When I come back," he exclaimed, "f****** run for the hills." While the MMA world might not witness Adesanya in the immediate future, his presence and potential return promise to be a force to be reckoned with.

Belal Muhammad believes that if Colby Covington loses against Leon Edwards at UFC 296, he will retire. On Saturday, December 16th, UFC 296 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The welterweight title fight between current champion Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA) and Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) is the main event. Edwards, 32, most recently fought and defeated Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA) at UFC 286 in March of this year. Covington, 35, fought and won a majority decision over Jorge Masvidal (35-17 MMA) in March 2022. Muhammad (23-3 MMA) has spoken in on the impending battle, claiming that if 'Chaos' loses to 'Rocky,' he will eventually retire. Belal Muhammad was asked if Colby Covington would continue his career if he lost. “He’s not a guy that’s going to fight contenders. You’ve seen it. The UFC’s literally given him older guys on their way out in every single one of his fights just so he can get a win, then given him a title fight. Like there’s no more older guys in the division for him to fight if he loses to Leon. There’s no more older guys in the division on their way out.” “Maybe they’ll throw him Tony Ferguson if Tony Ferguson stays at 170, but I doubt it. This will be the third title shot that he’s going to lose and like Matt Brown said, he’s not a fighter. He’s a guy that loves to build up, loves to be fake, loves to have the people cheer him or boo him. But if he loses this one, all his loser fans, fake fans, they’re all going to realize this dude does really suck.” Muhammad also gave his prediction for how the fight will play out. He said that Edwards will outstrike Covington and finish him in the fourth round. “I think Colby’s going to come out throwing his wild, random strikes, literally his terrible technique. I think Leon’s going to move around, throw some good high kicks, body kicks, low kicks. Colby’s going to take a couple of terrible shots, and he’s going to realize he can’t take Leon down.” “Leon probably will get taken down in the first round, second round. Then once it gets later to the third or fourth round, I think he’s going to start feeling the kicks from Leon, his body is going to start hurting, and I think Leon’s going to get the finish in the fourth round.”

Drake is putting his money where his mouth is, as he bets a whopping $850,000 on Logan Paul to defeat Dillon Danis in a boxing exhibition match at Misfits Boxing’s Prime Card in Manchester, England, this weekend. The match is the co-main event of the card, which also features KSI vs. Tommy Fury in the main event. Drake, the 36-year-old Canadian rapper, is a fan of Paul and believes he will knock out Danis, who has been trash-talking Paul’s girlfriend for weeks. “Never bet against personal vendetta and settling scores,” Drake posted on Instagram. However, not everyone agrees with Drake’s prediction. Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion and a friend of Danis, commented on Drake’s post: “Dillon all day.” Danis, who has a 0-0 record in boxing, is a jiu-jitsu specialist who has not fought since June 2019, when he won his second MMA fight for Bellator. Paul, who has a 0-1 record in professional boxing, lost to KSI in November 2019. He then faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition match in June 2021, which went to a draw after eight rounds.

Dear Ladies, Gentlemen, They, Them, and even you weird trans-species identifying folks. We regret to inform you that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has officially terminated its partnership with the UFC, citing an inability to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on drug testing for none other than Conor "the Chemistry Set" McGregor. It appears that the Notorious has more secrets hiding beneath those designer suits than even his most fervent fans could imagine. But fear not dear readers, for we have all the gory details on this scandalous split. USADA, the organization responsible for maintaining the integrity of mixed martial arts by ensuring fighters stay as drug-free as a Amish society surrounded by K9 cops. Has struggled to contain their disbelief at the might of McGregor's breaking bad - fucked up alchemy style of returning to MMA . The animosity began when USADA introduced the daring notion of acquiring a urine sample. Naturally McGregor, a man known for his patience and reasoning. He demanded that USADA respect his right to fight the urine collection staff, suggesting they "pry the piss out of me then, come and take it!" while waving his arms about in true Notorious fashion. Dana White tried to save the day in a bid to appease the Irish phenom. Dana with all of his genius genuineness convinced USADA to a compromise with the Irishman. If Conor could sneak into Khabib Nurmagomedov's home and scare the piss out of him, USADA might accept the urine sample. Conor tried but Khabib merely chuckled and gave him a big hug, rubbed em' on the noggin and said "You found location." before tucking the young chemistry obsessed mad scientist down for a nap via rear naked choke. It seems that USADA's attempt to exorcise the "steroid spirits" within Conor's system proved a futile endeavor. In a final desperate gambit, USADA proposed that they would turn a blind eye to McGregor's performance-enhancing tendencies if he agreed to sing "Danny Boy" in the octagon after each fight. Much to their dismay, McGregor declined. Alas, negotiations reached an impasse, leading to this unceremonious breakup between USADA and the UFC. McGregor meanwhile, has taken to Instagram to proudly proclaim, "I don't need USADA. I run on a steady diet of juice and sauce!" In conclusion dear readers, the case of Conor "the Chemistry Set" McGregor and USADA's withdrawal will surely go down in history as one of the sport's most peculiar episodes. It's influence will be historic, monumental for the sport of MMA. No longer must we concern ourselves with the limits of natural athletes. We can see the world of combat sports be pushed to extremes. How much steroids does it take to raise injury or perhaps even mortality rates in the UFC? We can only wonder if McGregor's upcoming bout will be as empowering as his newfound freedom from the tyranny of urine cups. From our home to yours, with love - Fight.TV

Resilience is a trait that separates the contenders from the pretenders. UFC featherweight fighter Calvin Kattar knows this all too well. As he continues his journey to the top, Kattar's focus isn't on hand-picking opponents but on climbing the UFC rankings and positioning himself for another shot at greatness. Kattar, with a record of 23-7 in MMA and a UFC record of 7-5, is gearing up for a return to the octagon. The 35-year-old from Massachusetts recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, a setback incurred during a TKO loss to Arnold Allen in October 2022. It marked the end of a two-fight losing streak that had Kattar eager to return to his winning ways. However, Kattar isn't one to get bogged down in the politics of matchmaking or hand-selecting his next opponent. When asked about his preferred opponent, he candidly replied, “I don’t really focus on that. Just staying ready, being the best version of myself, and whoever we fight, we adapt. Keeps my job simple. I don’t really worry about the other stuff.” Kattar's fighting resume boasts clashes with some of the division's best, including former champion Max Holloway, former interim title challenger Josh Emmett, and top contender Arnold Allen. While he doesn't fixate on specific matchups, Kattar's aspirations are clear: he aims to continue competing against the upper echelon of the division. Ideally, Kattar envisions a path that leads him upward in the rankings, inching closer to a title shot. "Ideally, what I would be most in favor of is fighting up and then trying to – anything that’ll get you closer to the title, things like that,” Kattar explained. “I really don’t care. It’s just ideally, if we can fight up and something that’ll get you to the title faster, that’s what I would prefer. But other than that, it’s whoever.” Despite a recent rough patch, Kattar remains unfazed and determined. He sees his setbacks as opportunities for growth and redemption. "I feel like I’m the best I’ve ever been," he declared. "I feel like training is at a great point. Obviously, setbacks happen on the way, but that only kind of hardwires me more. I think right now is the best version of myself." As Calvin Kattar heals and refines his skills, his quest to ascend the UFC featherweight rankings continues, driven by the belief that he's destined for even greater heights in the world of mixed martial arts.

Rumors of a potential merger between PFL and Bellator have set the MMA community abuzz. While many anticipate the transition, it could pave the way for some thrilling cross-promotional matchups, none more tantalizing than a showdown between Kayla Harrison and Cris Cyborg, the Bellator women's featherweight champion. Yet, Harrison, the two-time PFL champion, remains cautiously optimistic. Harrison is well aware of the persistent speculation surrounding the future of Bellator and the potential shift of ownership to PFL. Such a change could potentially see Bellator fighters crossing over to the PFL, creating a treasure trove of fresh and intriguing encounters, including the long-anticipated battle between Harrison and Cyborg. The prospect of Harrison facing Cyborg has been dangled in front of fight fans for some time, with both fighters expressing their eagerness to lock horns. However, despite the tantalizing scenario painted by the possible Bellator sale, Harrison remains grounded and refuses to let herself get carried away by the speculations. “I don't get excited about that anymore," Harrison revealed. "There's just been too many opportunities and too many highs and lows, and ups and downs, and bullsh*t that is, again, out of my control. I stay the course, I focus on me, I focus on my kids, I focus on my training, but that's all noise. It's all maybe, could've, would've, might happen in the future, so it's not my focus, and it is what it is." For now, Harrison is laser-focused on her upcoming bout against former Bellator champion Julia Budd, a formidable opponent. The two will square off in a 145-pound bout at the 2023 PFL Championships on November 24th. Despite her immediate focus on Budd, Harrison is open to the possibility of welcoming Cyborg to the PFL if the stars align. "Who better to welcome her than I?" Harrison exclaimed, emphasizing her readiness for the challenge. With no current title to chase and no specific season commitments, Harrison's desire to face Cyborg is crystal clear. Kayla Harrison remains an enigmatic force, always poised for the next thrilling challenge. While the prospect of a PFL-Bellator merger hangs in the balance, the potential clash with Cris Cyborg adds another layer of excitement to the world of mixed martial arts.

Pre-fight press conferences are often the breeding ground for heated exchanges and fierce rivalries. However, the recent Misfits Boxing pre-fight press conference took things to a whole new level, setting the stage for a battle that promises to be nothing short of explosive. The simmering tension between YouTube sensation-turned-boxer Logan Paul and Bellator fighter Dillon Danis finally erupted on Thursday, just two days before their highly-anticipated boxing bout. The stage was set for the showdown of words, but it quickly escalated into a physical confrontation that left everyone in shock. After a fiery exchange of words, it was time for Paul and Danis to face off, with a plexiglass divider meant to keep them at a safe distance. However, they never made it that far. In a moment that will go down in the annals of pre-fight confrontations, Paul launched a bottle towards Danis, who, not one to back down, retaliated by hurling one right back at him. Danis even leaped into the air as he sent the bottle flying, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already charged atmosphere. Security personnel had to rush in to prevent an all-out brawl, as Paul and Danis were on the brink of throwing down in front of the media and fans. The chaos ensued, with security forces working tirelessly to keep the combatants separated. Danis was especially determined to get at Paul, and it took considerable effort to restrain him. While the scheduled faceoff between Paul and Danis never materialized, the press conference left an indelible mark on the event. Danis later reappeared during a separate press conference featuring KSI and Tommy Fury, the main event fighters on the same card. Although he remained on the sidelines, Danis found solace in the support of Tommy Fury's father, John Fury. In the end, the explosive press conference did more than enough to whet the appetite of fight fans.

The UFC and USADA have announced that they will end their partnership on January 1, 2024, after working together since 2015 to conduct drug tests for the fighters. The reason for the split is reportedly related to Conor McGregor, who has re-entered the USADA testing pool after a long hiatus. USADA said in a statement that they have told the UFC that McGregor should not be allowed to fight until he has passed two drug tests and been in the testing pool for at least six months. They also said that they have the authority to extend the period based on McGregor’s declarations and test results. However, USADA said that they are not sure if the UFC will respect their rules, as the promotion has decided to go in a different direction and not renew their contract with USADA. USADA said that they had a positive and productive meeting with the UFC in May 2023, but the UFC changed their mind on Monday, October 9. USADA expressed their disappointment for the UFC fighters, who depend on their independent and high-quality program to ensure a clean, safe, and fair sport. USADA said that the UFC’s decision jeopardizes the progress that has been made in the sport under their leadership. It is unclear what the UFC will do for drug testing after 2024, whether they will do it themselves or hire another company. But one thing is certain: USADA and the UFC are no longer partners.

John Fury, the father of Tommy and Tyson Fury, made a scene at the Misfits Boxing open workout on Thursday, as he got into heated exchanges with KSI and Greg Paul, the father of Logan and Jake Paul. John Fury was there to support his son Tommy, who will face KSI in the main event of Saturday’s boxing card in Manchester. However, he could not contain his anger as he saw KSI on a balcony above him, while Tommy was doing an interview on the floor. John Fury threw a water bottle at KSI, which hit a glass railing. KSI responded by spitting in John Fury’s direction. The incident was captured by cameras and reported by Misfits Boxing broadcaster DAZN. But that was not the only confrontation that John Fury had at the workout. He also got into a verbal altercation with Greg Paul, who was there to support his son Logan, who will fight Dillon Danis in the co-main event. Greg Paul initially laughed at John Fury’s antics, but things got ugly as John Fury tried to attack him and security had to step in. John Fury, who is also the father and coach of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has been known for his temper. He also caused a commotion at the press conference for Saturday’s fight, when he flipped over a table and security had to separate him from KSI and his team.

Fight.TV had the chance to chat with up and coming Akeem McAfee who is fighting out of Crestview, Florida. The Emerald Coast is home to Fight.TV along with many world class fighters such as Akeem. Akeem has an amateur fight record of 10-4 and is coming off a 2 year hiatus. We've watched him grow as a fighter, so it's incredible to watch the Island Fights 185 title get won by him. Akeem has his eyes set on going pro soon after a handful more amateur bouts. He's already ranked in at the number 9 Middleweight in the SouthEastern U.S amateur MMA per Tapology Regional Rankings. Read with us and see what kind of inspiration and tips you can get from this up and coming fighter. Where are you training out of? •Gracie barra Crestview is team I had my fight camp with What is your training routine? •honestly same 2-5 hours depending on what we're doing for training on that day How long have you been training in combat sports now? •11 years now Who would you like to one day compete against? •honestly Francis Ngannou in a open weight super fight, my goal is to be known as the best in the world, not simply the best in my own weight class, make sense? What got you into combat sports? • honestly I just wanted to get paid doing something I had passion for What kind of advice do you have for the young folks just now getting into the sport? For the people who want to become fighters themselves? •train your ass off and get a much experience as possible. Also watch out for weak, parasite, or cult making coaches. They're a hindrance not a help. Who are your biggest inspirations in fighters? Who are some of your favorites and other influences? •Khabib, Jon jones, and Francis Ngannou are my favorite fighters. I guess as far as influences David goggins, and another guy whose name is leaving me for some reason. It's been incredible watching Akeem win this title. After coming off a two year hiatus and knowing he's had some trouble in prior training camps. This is impressive. This is inspiring. This is everything Fight.TV loves to see! Keep your eyes on Akeem McAfee, he's got some big fights coming soon!

The stakes are high for the UFC 294 main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports that the winner of the fight will get a shot at the middleweight title. “Dana White just told me that the Chimaev-Usman winner will get the next title shot barring injury, etc.” This means that the current middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, will have to wait for his next challenger, as Dricus Du Plessis, who was expected to be next in line, will be skipped over. It also means that Israel Adesanya, who lost the title to Strickland by split decision, will not get an immediate rematch as he desired. White also expressed his excitement for the fight between Chimaev and Usman, who are both known for their dominant wrestling skills. “Who knows how they’ll approach it, but you have to think that with the Costa fight, Khamzat probably had to be thinking about going out and taking him down,” White told Yahoo Sports. “But with Usman and his wrestling, it could actually turn into more of a stand-up war.” Usman (20-3) is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards, who took his welterweight title by knockout in August of 2022 and then defended it by majority decision in March of this year. Usman also has a win over Strickland at 170lbs. Chimaev (12-0) is undefeated in his MMA career and has been impressive in his six UFC fights. He last fought in September of 2022, when he submitted Kevin Holland in the first round. Before that, he defeated Gilbert Burns by decision at UFC 273 in a welterweight bout. Chimaev has also won two fights at middleweight, knocking out Gerald Meerschaert and submitting John Phillips. If he beats Usman, he will get a chance to fight for the middleweight title.

The UFC is poised to make history once again as it ventures into new territory. In a groundbreaking announcement, the UFC revealed that it will be hosting its first-ever event in Saudi Arabia, set to take place on March 2, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. While this won't be a pay-per-view extravaganza, fans can expect an unforgettable UFC Fight Night. The anticipation for this monumental event is already building, despite no official fight matchups being announced at this time. According to a press release, UFC CEO Dana White is set to unveil the highly-anticipated fight pairings "in the coming months." This gives fight fans around the world ample time to speculate and dream about potential dream matches. While this marks the UFC's debut in Saudi Arabia, it is not uncharted territory for combat sports. Riyadh Season has emerged as a thriving hub for high-profile fights and professional wrestling. Last October, it witnessed the heated clash between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury, a fight that captured the attention of fight enthusiasts worldwide. And there's more to come, with heavyweight giants Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou set to go head-to-head later this month. The UFC's foray into Saudi Arabia is not an isolated venture but part of a broader movement to bring the sport of mixed martial arts to a global audience. In a noteworthy development, Saudi Arabia recently sealed a deal to acquire a minority stake in the PFL, underscoring its commitment to showcasing major MMA events to its local fans. As the UFC prepares to set foot in Saudi Arabia for the first time, fight fans eagerly await the exciting matchups and unforgettable moments that this new chapter in MMA history will undoubtedly bring. The sport's reach is growing, and as the octagon arrives in Riyadh, it's bound to leave a lasting impact on the combat sports landscape, both in the Middle East and around the world.