Dillon Danis, the controversial MMA fighter and jiu-jitsu ace, has expressed his desire to join the UFC if he can defeat Logan Paul in their upcoming boxing match. Danis, who turned 30 recently, said he wants to challenge himself against the best fighters in the world, and named several UFC welterweights as his potential opponents. “I’m willing to go and go out there and see if what I’m saying is true,” he said. “If I go to the UFC, give me your toughest fight. Give me Ian Garry, give me Neil Magny. Anybody. Leon Edwards. That would be the easiest fight. Colby [Covington], anybody.” Danis spoke to The MMA Hour on Monday and said he is confident he can beat Paul, who is much bigger than him. The fight is scheduled for six rounds and has a 195-pound limit. Danis said he expects Paul to quit or get knocked out or choked out by him. However, Danis faces some hurdles in his UFC dream, such as his contract with Bellator, which he signed six years ago. Danis said he had to pay Bellator $100,000 to fight Paul outside of his deal, but Bellator has not confirmed this. Danis also said Bellator might be sold to another promotion soon, which could affect his future. He said he might join Misfits Boxing, a new promotion led by KSI and Mams Taylor, who are also fighting on the same card as him and Paul. Danis has not fought in MMA since 2019, when he submitted Max Humphrey at Bellator 222. He underwent two knee surgeries since then, but said his knees are good enough for the Paul fight. He also hinted at a possible fight with Jake Paul, Logan’s younger brother and rival, who is also a boxer and a former Disney star.

Michael Chandler is certain that he will face Conor McGregor in the octagon, despite the lack of a date and a venue for their fight. Chandler and McGregor were supposed to coach against each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31, and then fight each other in McGregor’s comeback from a broken leg. However, the fight has not been officially announced yet, leaving some fans doubtful. Chandler, however, has no doubts. He said on The MMA Hour that the fight is still on, and that McGregor will not back out. He said that the fight will likely happen in 2024, as there are no main event slots available in November or December. He said he is ready to fight anytime, and that he expects the fight to be on a historic card for the UFC. Chandler also said he is not bothered by the delay, as he has been very active since joining the UFC in 2020. He last fought at UFC 281 in November, where he lost to Dustin Poirier. He said he has never had this much time to prepare for one opponent, and that he and his team will devise a game plan to knock out McGregor in the first or second round. McGregor, meanwhile, is still recovering from his leg injury, which he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He has not re-entered the USADA testing pool yet, which means he cannot fight until March at the earliest, unless he gets a special exemption from the UFC. The fight between Chandler and McGregor is one of the most anticipated bouts in MMA history, as both men are known for their striking skills and trash talk. The fans are eagerly waiting for the official announcement of the fight, which could happen soon.

The latest intriguing development involves ONE Championship Chairman and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, extending a captivating offer to none other than the legendary MMA personality and podcaster, Joe Rogan. This captivating story begins with Joe Rogan's deep appreciation for the awe-inspiring world of Muay Thai. His journey into this art form culminated during the unforgettable showdown between Superlek Kitamoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE Friday Fights 34 this past September. The electrifying bout left spectators spellbound as Superlek and Rodtang engaged in a titanic struggle, delivering more excitement than anyone could have hoped for. In the end, Superlek emerged victorious via a closely contested unanimous decision after three rounds of thrilling action. Rogan, deeply moved by the spectacle, couldn't help but express his belief that Muay Thai possesses tremendous potential to flourish in North America. In a recent episode of his widely followed podcast, he floated the idea of the UFC organizing an event exclusively dedicated to Muay Thai matches. While the UFC currently has no immediate plans to introduce Thailand's national sport to its roster, Chatri Sityodtong has extended an inviting hand to Rogan. He pointed out that ONE Championship is already a perfect platform for the sport. "Joe, you and I know each other—come on any time, man," Sityodtong eagerly proposed in an interview with South China Morning Post. "If you want to commentate in the #1 league by far in Muay Thai—absolute killers and monsters, which you know already, Joe—give me a call." The impact of ONE Friday Fights 34 was undeniable, trending at #2 and #3 on Twitter in the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. It even reached the remarkable position of #11 worldwide on YouTube. Astonishingly, an estimated 50 million viewers in Thailand tuned in across various platforms to witness the event. Among the "big four" MMA promotions, ONE is second only to the UFC in terms of followers across all platforms. As Chatri Sityodtong's ONE Championship continues to ascend, the invitation to Joe Rogan presents a tantalizing opportunity for the worlds of MMA and Muay Thai to collide. The global audience eagerly awaits the possibility of hearing Joe Rogan's unmistakable voice ring out in the electrifying atmosphere of Muay Thai, showcasing this spectacular martial art to an even broader audience.

Boxing fans, mark your calendars! The comeback story of the year is about to unfold as Ryan Garcia, the 140-pound contender, returns to the ring. Following his electrifying but unfortunate seventh-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in April, Garcia is all set to step back into the spotlight. He's locked in to face the formidable Oscar Duarte of Mexico on December 2nd at the Alamodome in San Antonio, and it's a fight that promises to set the boxing world alight. Oscar Duarte, boasting an impressive record of 26-1-1 with a remarkable 21 knockouts, has been on a rampage, stopping all 11 of his opponents since a lone decision loss to Adrian Estrella in 2019. However, Duarte's mettle will be truly tested as he squares off against the 25-year-old knockout artist from Southern California. One key element of intrigue in this matchup is Duarte's move up from the lightweight division to the 140-pound weight class. It's a significant challenge, but one that Duarte seems more than willing to take on. As Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia's promoter, points out, "Here you have a guy [Duarte] who’s coming off 11 KOs in a row. There’s a guy who’s a power puncher who’s going to come forward and make Ryan fight. It’s the proper fight after a knockout loss to Gervonta." Garcia, a rising star in the boxing world, will also have the esteemed trainer Derrick James in his corner for the first time, adding another layer of intrigue to this comeback bout. But this fight isn't just about redemption for Ryan Garcia; it's a stepping stone to bigger things. De La Hoya reveals, "We’re looking to do a major, major fight with Ryan, possibly around Super Bowl weekend. I would love to talk to Bob [Arum] to see what’s going on with him and Teofimo [Lopez], but there are other options as well." Ryan Garcia is gearing up to show the world that he's not just getting up; he's coming back stronger and more determined than ever. December 2nd promises to be a night of boxing you won't want to miss, as Garcia aims to make his mark on the 140-pound division and pave the way for a spectacular future in the sport.

In 2024, the UFC is set to kick off its first pay-per-view event with a featherweight showdown that promises fireworks. Multiple sources close to the promotion have confirmed that a pivotal bout between Arnold Allen and Movsar Evloev is in the works for UFC 297, scheduled to take place on January 20th in Toronto. Rumors of this electrifying matchup first surfaced on social media, with Twitter user judobetter995 breaking the news. Soon after, Red Fury MMA shared the event's date on Instagram, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement. Arnold Allen, known as "Almighty," is no stranger to the UFC spotlight. In 2023, he faced the former featherweight champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC Kansas City, ending up on the wrong side of a unanimous decision. However, this setback did little to dim his shine, as he had previously dominated the octagon with ten consecutive victories. In 2022 alone, Allen secured two remarkable stoppage wins against formidable opponents Dan Hooker and Calvin Kattar. Movsar Evloev, on the other hand, comes into this battle after a year in which he had just one appearance inside the octagon—a decision victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 288 in May. The 29-year-old Russian fighter boasts an impressive unblemished professional record, having triumphed in all 17 of his fights. Within the UFC, he has proven himself as a formidable force, boasting an undefeated 7-0 record since his debut. Two fighters hungry for victory, both eager to prove their worth in a division brimming with talent, are set to collide on January 20, 2024. As the date draws near, excitement is building, and fans around the world are eagerly awaiting what could potentially be one of the most thrilling bouts of the year. Allen and Evloev epitomize this spirit as they prepare to face each other in the unforgiving arena of the octagon, where only the strongest will prevail. UFC 297 is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of combat, and the world will be watching as these two warriors go to war.

Tyson Fury, the WBC and The Ring heavyweight champion, has agreed to face Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, in a historic unification bout. The fight is expected to take place in late 2023 or early 2024, depending on Fury’s upcoming clash with Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, on Oct. 28. Fury’s promoter, Bob Arum, revealed that the unification fight with Usyk will be a massive payday for ‘The Gypsy King’, who will earn well over $100 million for the showdown. "Tyson has to take care of business on October 28, when he fights Ngannou, and then we’re off to the races with the unified heavyweight championship. If you told Tyson Fury he’s set to make a$100 million, he’d really get pissed off because he thinks, and I think he’s right, that he’s going to make a lot more. I don’t know the number, but it’s a lot more than $100 million,” Arum told the media. Fury, who has won every major belt in the heavyweight division, has set his sights on becoming the highest-paid athlete in the world and making a Hollywood movie. “I’ve got new goals. I want to top the Forbes list for the highest paid athlete for the year, and I want to make a Hollywood movie,” Fury said to Queensberry Promotions. “I’ve completed the game in the ring, it’s done. I’ve done everything there is to do and won every belt there is to win.” However, Fury will have to overcome Ngannou first, who is making his boxing debut after losing his UFC title to Ciryl Gane. Ngannou is known for his knockout power and poses a serious threat to Fury’s plans. If Fury loses to Ngannou, he will have to face him again in a rematch before he can take on Usyk.

While victory is the ultimate goal for fighters on Dana White's Contender Series, sometimes it's the resilience and unwavering spirit of a defeated athlete that truly captures the heart. Last week's Contender Series event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas witnessed such a moment – an extraordinary display of compassion and determination that led to not one, but two defeated fighters receiving coveted UFC contracts. Angel Pacheco, a featherweight fighter, found himself on the losing side of an all-time battle against Danny Silva. Typically, a loss on the Contender Series means the end of the road, but Angel's story was about to take an unexpected turn. What unfolded backstage was an emotional encounter between UFC CEO Dana White and a heartbroken Pacheco. In a post-fight news conference, White shared the poignant details of their conversation. "When I went back there, his ear is hanging off. He's crying," White revealed to the reporters. "He looks at me … I told him, 'I'm going to pay your win money.' He (couldn't) give a f*ck that I'm going to give him his win money. He's crying and he said, 'I wanted to win this fight so bad. I want to be in the UFC so bad. If there's ever a late-minute pullout or anything, please think of me.'" Moved by Pacheco's unshakable desire and the raw emotion on display, White made a spontaneous decision. "I said, 'Oh yeah.' I said, 'Dude, you are right up my alley. We're going to pay you your win money.' I went back and told the boys, 'We're signing this kid.' If you want to be in the UFC that bad, if you want to win this fight that bad, how bad do you think he wants to win his first UFC fight?" The heartwarming backstage interaction between Dana White and Angel Pacheco was captured on video and later shared by Pacheco's manager and coach, Tyson Chartier. This remarkable moment serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of fighters who dare to dream and the compassion of a UFC president willing to give a fighter a second chance to chase their ultimate goal.

In the world of mixed martial arts, where surprises are often aplenty, PFL lightweight contender Anthony Pettis is already setting his sights on what could be a monumental showdown against Cedric Doumbe. The MMA community has been buzzing since Doumbe's jaw-dropping nine-second knockout victory against Jordan Zébo last Saturday night, a highlight-reel moment that's destined to be etched in MMA history. Pettis, often referred to as 'Showtime,' has been lying low since his remarkable boxing win over Roy Jones Jr. in April, a fight that was meant to be a one-off venture. However, it seems that Pettis has caught the MMA bug once again and is contemplating a return to the PFL octagon. On social media, he made his intentions clear – he wants to face Doumbe, and he believes it would be "the biggest fight in PFL history." This callout didn't come out of thin air. Cedric Doumbe, the charismatic French fighter, had previously stated his desire to face some of the biggest names in MMA, including Pettis. Doumbe's aspirations align perfectly with Pettis's eagerness for a high-stakes showdown. In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Doumbe expressed his intentions clearly. "I want to make big fights, like super fights," he declared. "Face fighters like Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, maybe Anthony Pettis, you know. I want to face these types of guys because I can knock them out." He went on to say, "I know I'm better than them; I just want to prove it. To show the world who I am." The MMA world is abuzz with excitement over the prospect of a Pettis vs. Doumbe showdown. With both fighters possessing explosive striking skills and a flair for the dramatic, this potential clash could be an instant classic. Fans are already speculating about how this epic battle might unfold, and whether Doumbe's lightning-quick knockout power will prevail or if Pettis's experience and versatility will prove to be the difference-maker. So, as we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for these two dynamic fighters, the question remains: Do you want to see Cedric Doumbe vs. Anthony Pettis? The answer from fans around the world is a resounding, "Absolutely!"

, a former MMA fighter and a current boxer, has confessed that he was in a very dark place after suffering multiple knee injuries that sidelined him from his combat sports career. Danis is set to make his boxing debut against Logan Paul later this month in Manchester, UK. He has not competed in any form of fighting since his victory over Max Humphrey at Bellator 222. Danis was once regarded as a rising star in MMA, with a stellar Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background. He participated in the 2017 ADCC World Championships, one of the most prestigious events in professional grappling. However, Danis became a target of ridicule in recent years due to his lack of activity. He also gained a reputation as a notorious social media troll, attracting legal issues for his harassment of Paul and Nina Agdal. Danis revealed that he went through a tough phase mentally and emotionally when his MMA career was put on hold indefinitely. He said that he almost harmed himself during his long absence from combat sports. In an interview on The MMA Hour, Danis shared his personal struggles with depression and alcoholism. “No, but it got to the point where I didn’t know if I was going to be alive again,” Danis said. “There’s a lot of people with a lot more problems than me…you go from training, being so good, and then just sitting there in a cast, can’t move, don’t know if you’re ever going to be the same…twice in the same year…you get into a dark place. You start drinking, you do bad things…and then all you do is just drink all day.”

UFC 294 will feature a highly anticipated rematch between UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Charles Oliveira. The two will face off in Abu Dhabi, the same venue where Makhachev defeated Oliveira by second-round submission to claim the vacant title last year. Oliveira, who hails from Brazil, has expressed his frustration with having to fight Makhachev in his home turf again. He believes that the Russian fighter has an unfair advantage in front of his loyal fans. However, Makhachev has dismissed Oliveira’s grievances as nonsensical. He revealed on X that he had requested to fight in the US in the summer, but the UFC had other plans for him. He also pointed out that he had fought in Australia, the home country of his previous opponent, without any complaints. “Charles, I asked to fight in US in the summer, but UFC has other plans,” Makhachev wrote on X. “I am a UFC fighter like you, never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s [backyard], simple, everything you say makes no sense.” Makhachev also explained that he had been waiting for a long time to defend his title, as the UFC had reserved him for the Abu Dhabi card. He said that he was eager to fight in the summer, but the promotion had other ideas.

Cedric Doumbe, a former Glory Kickboxing champion and a PFL welterweight contender, believes that the UFC made a huge mistake by letting him go. He proved his point by knocking out Jordan Zébo in just nine seconds in his PFL debut. The main event took place in France, Doumbe’s home country, where he brought a mattress with a “goodnight” sign for his rival. His spectacular victory caught the attention of many celebrities, such as Kylian Mbappe, who witnessed the fight. Doumbe was supposed to make his UFC debut in September last year, but he was released after the fight was cancelled due to some problems with the French Athletic Commission. He then joined the PFL, which he considers to be the future of MMA. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, he said that he did not care about the UFC and their decision. “They f*cked up, it is what it is. Now, I’m a part of the PFL, and PFL is the future. They are doing very great with Francis [Ngannou] now with the team, I mean I’m a part of the future.” He added, “We’re changing something, we’re doing something great. So I didn’t even think about them. They’re doing their thing, I’m doing my thing, I think I’m the best, they lost something. Now, PFL earned something. So, it is what it is. Of course [they regret releasing me], for sure.”

Tony Ferguson, often described as one of the grittiest fighters in mixed martial arts, is far from throwing in the towel. Despite a six-fight losing streak, the former interim lightweight champion is determined to prove that he's "not even close to being done." Ferguson's plan involves a comeback at UFC 296 against Paddy Pimblett on December 16 in Las Vegas, followed by a dream showdown with Conor McGregor. Ferguson, with a record of 25-9 MMA and 15-7 UFC, has his sights set on a brighter future. He acknowledges Pimblett's potential but makes it clear that he's eager to face international stars like McGregor. He told ESPN, "Going after Khabib for a long time and going after 'McNuggets' (Conor McGregor), this is about as close as it's going to get for right now. So as soon as we get through this dude, we'll go after Conor if he'll sign on the dotted line and get through USADA." Ferguson's journey to a potential McGregor bout has been a rollercoaster. He was lined up to face McGregor for a title unification bout after winning the interim title in October 2017 at UFC 216. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated matchup never materialized. The 39-year-old fighter has reconnected with his old team and is confident that he hasn't lost his edge despite his recent losing streak. He acknowledges the importance of letting go of certain things and focusing on those that truly matter, such as faith, family, and friends. While some speculate that the UFC might be using him to bolster Paddy Pimblett's star power, Ferguson's passion for competition remains unwavering. Retirement is not on his radar. He emphasized, "I don't want to retire. It's not in my thought process. It's not about getting cut. It's not about doing all this stuff. It's about competing." Ferguson's renewed commitment involves giving his all in training, being coachable, and seeking assistance when needed. With his warrior spirit intact, Tony Ferguson is ready to tackle Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 and, if all goes well, chase the ultimate dream of sharing the Octagon with the enigmatic Conor McGregor once again.