Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been granted permission by the courts to serve as a coach and cornerman for lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 300. This development comes amidst Velasquez's ongoing legal battle, where he is set to go to trial on premeditated attempted murder charges in January. The news was confirmed by California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster, who stated, "He is scheduled to corner. We are in possession of a court order permitting him to do so." Cain Velasquez, who had been arrested in February 2022 on multiple charges, including premeditated attempted murder, had been released on conditional bail in November of the same year. As a condition of his release, Velasquez is required to obtain court permission for any travel or public appearances. Despite his legal troubles, Velasquez has previously made appearances at a professional wrestling event in Arizona and fulfilled other sponsorship duties that involved travel across the United States. This opportunity to corner Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 300 marks Velasquez's return to the world of mixed martial arts, where he had once been celebrated as one of the greatest heavyweights in history, achieving multiple UFC championship reigns. He retired from active competition in 2019 but has continued to be an integral part of the fight community. Velasquez's legal woes stem from an incident in which he allegedly engaged in a high-speed chase while firing multiple rounds from a handgun at a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte. Goularte is facing charges related to the alleged sexual molestation of Velasquez's 4-year-old son at a daycare owned by Velasquez's mother. Although Goularte was unharmed, his stepfather, Paul Bender, sustained non-life-threatening injuries from a bullet wound. Judge Daniel T. Nishigaya recently informed Velasquez through his attorneys that a trial date for his case would be set for mid-to-late January 2024. If convicted on the multitude of charges, Velasquez could potentially face life in prison. In the midst of these legal challenges, Velasquez is now focused on helping his teammate and training partner, Usman Nurmagomedov, in his title defense against Brent Primus. The bout, set to headline Bellator 300, also serves as a pivotal matchup in the ongoing Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix.

In the world of mixed martial arts, surprises are nothing new. However, the latest twist in the saga of Ryan Bader vs. Linton Vassell 2 has left fight fans in shock and disappointment. Scheduled as the heavyweight title fight on the main card of Bellator 300 this Saturday in San Diego, the highly anticipated rematch between Bader and Vassell will have to wait. News of this unexpected turn of events broke when Mike Heck, a reputable source in the MMA community, confirmed with promotion officials that Vassell had been forced to withdraw from the bout. While the reasons behind Vassell's withdrawal remain shrouded in mystery, one thing is certain: fight fans will have to wait a little longer to see these two warriors collide once more. The disappointment doesn't end there, as Bellator officials have also confirmed that Ryan Bader will not remain on the card, with no plans to seek out a replacement opponent on such short notice. This decision, undoubtedly disappointing for fans and fighters alike, was nonetheless made with careful consideration. In response to the unfortunate turn of events, Ryan Bader took to Instagram to express his sentiments, saying, This was supposed to be the second meeting between the two fighters, with Bader having previously defeated Vassell via second-round TKO at Bellator 186 in November 2017. Since that time, both fighters had transitioned to the heavyweight division. Ryan Bader successfully defended the heavyweight title three consecutive times, most recently securing a knockout win against the legendary Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290 this past February. On the other hand, Linton Vassell's heavyweight journey experienced a rocky start, with a loss to Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 218, but he had been on an impressive five-fight win streak, including a first-round knockout in a rematch with Moldavsky at Bellator 292. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of the Bader vs. Vassell rematch, Bellator 300 still promises a night of thrilling action with three title matches on the card. The main event will see lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending his title against Brent Primus, while featherweight champion Cris Cyborg puts her belt on the line against Cat Zingano. In addition, flyweight champion Liz Carmouche will defend her championship against Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Although Bader vs. Vassell 2 won't grace the cage this weekend, Bellator 300 remains a must-watch event for MMA enthusiasts.

Sean O’Malley is not interested in sharing the limelight with anyone else when he defends his UFC bantamweight belt for the first time. He knocked out Aljamain Sterling in the second round last August and immediately called for a rematch with Chito Vera, the only man who has defeated him in MMA, in December. But he found out that the UFC had other plans and the Vera fight might be delayed until 2024. “I really, really did truly want to fight in December,” O’Malley said on JRE MMA Show. “But I spoke to the UFC and they already had something else in mind. They were working on Colby [Covington] and Leon [Edwards]. They told me they want me to be the main event of my own show, which I think is f****** awesome. I’m up for that.” O’Malley made his UFC main event debut when he fought Sterling. The 28-year-old bantamweight king has risen to fame and popularity as one of the most exciting and charismatic fighters in the sport. O’Malley is eager to headline another pay-per-view, but he knows that he won’t be on the same card as another UFC champion. That rules out his preferred option for his next fight. “I think UFC 300 is in April,” O’Malley said. “That would be a cool card to be on, but they’re not going to let me be the main event. I’m guessing I’ll fight before that, before UFC 300.” Follow fight.tv for all the latest news and updates from the world of MMA.

Canelo Alvarez is looking for more challenging opponents, not someone who is three weight divisions lower than him. That was his message after he dominated Jermell Charlo on September 30 and became the undisputed super middleweight champion. It was the first time two undisputed male champions faced each other in the ring in the four-belt era. Charlo, who was the junior middleweight champion, put up a brave fight, but he could not handle Canelo’s power. Canelo walked him down and landed body shots that set up head shots. He knocked him down in the seventh round and won by unanimous decision. Charlo survived until the end of the 12th round, but he had no chance of winning. Terence Crawford, who is the undisputed welterweight champion, has recently expressed interest in fighting Canelo. He said that he is open to a mega fight with the Mexican superstar, even though he would have to gain 21 pounds to match him. Crawford had previously said that there are weight classes for a reason. But Canelo is not interested in fighting a welterweight like Crawford, who would be giving up too much size and strength. He said at the post-fight press conference “You know, I always say that if the fight makes sense, I’m open to it. But he’s not in my plans,” Canelo said about Crawford. “Maybe if it makes sense, I don’t know. Right now, I’m just enjoying this fight. You’ll find out what’s next soon enough.” Canelo also said that he is feeling good and healthy after his historic win. “My hand is 100 percent and I feel good,” Alvarez said. "I feel great and I’m still in my prime. I feel fresh, I’m ready. " I’m back. Finally, I’m back. I feel confident right now. I feel great. I’m so happy because I didn’t feel like this for a long time. Now I’m back.” Who will Canelo fight next? Comment and let us know.

Terence Crawford had no respect for Jermell Charlo’s performance or callout after he lost to Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night. Charlo, who was the undisputed light middleweight champion, moved up two weight classes to challenge Canelo for the undisputed super middleweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But he was outclassed and outpowered by Canelo, who won by unanimous decision with scores of 119-108, 118-109, and 118-109. Charlo barely put up a fight and was knocked down in the seventh round by Canelo. Despite his defeat, Charlo (35-2-1) still had the audacity to call out Crawford, the undisputed welterweight champion and the current No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. “I’m down to fight whoever, you know? Hey, I want to fight Terence Crawford. F*** that. I could fight Terence Crawford at my weight division,” Charlo said post-fight. “Yeah, yeah, I know he’s somewhere around this joint. Tell Terence. Yeah, yeah, I’ll fight Terence Crawford. Let him fight Errol Spence or whatever they got going on, get that out of the way, I’m waiting. I’m about to get back right into training. Tell him don’t worry about it.” Crawford, however, was not amused by Charlo’s callout. He took to social media to rip into Charlo’s performance and challenge. Crawford, who recently became the undisputed welterweight champion by beating Errol Spence Jr., had already predicted that Canelo would beat Charlo in an interview.

Tobias Harila’s night ended in agony as he broke his arm in a brutal takedown by James Hendin in the Cage Warriors 160 main event. Harila, who had a 4-2 record in Cage Warriors and was known for his knockout power, faced Hendin in a featherweight clash at the BEC Arena in Manchester, England on Friday. However, he had no answer for Hendin’s wrestling and grappling skills, as he was taken down repeatedly and controlled on the ground. Hendin almost finished the fight in the second round with an arm-triangle choke, but Harila survived until the bell. In the third round, Hendin went for another takedown and slammed Harila to the mat. Harila tried to brace his fall with his arm, but it snapped under the pressure, causing him to tap out instantly. The referee stopped the fight and called for medical attention, as Harila writhed in pain and Hendin celebrated his victory. Harila was taken out of the cage on a stretcher and transported to a hospital. It is unclear how long Harila will be out of action, but it is likely that he will need surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Hendin improved his record to 7-1 and extended his winning streak to five fights.

Chandler Jones, the NFL star and younger brother of UFC champion Jon Jones, has been cut by the Las Vegas Raiders after his arrest. TMZ Sports reported that Chandler was arrested late Thursday night and taken to Clark County Detention Center, where he is still being held. The reason for his arrest is not clear, but it may have something to do with breaking a protective order. Chandler Jones had posted a disturbing video on social media, where he appeared to be emotional while talking about Josh McDaniels and Aaron Hernandez. He also criticized Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels on Instagram, saying: “I can’t believe I’m a top athlete with 112 sacks in the NFL and I have to work out at a local gym during the season for no reason this is crazy to me Josh and you know it you need to do the right thing.” NFL.com reported that the Raiders have released Chandler Jones after the incident. “It’s a personal and private issue,” said head coach Josh McDaniels. “We have handled it, and I won’t comment on it.” Chandler, 33, who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2015, had signed a $51 million dollar deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. The Raiders organization issued a statement saying they were “hoping that Chandler Jones gets the help that he needs. He, his family, and everyone involved are in our prayers.” News reports said that Chandler had been taken to a hospital by the Las Vegas Fire Department against his will and then transferred to a mental health facility.

Cedric Doumbe, the former kickboxing champion from France, delivered such a moment in his PFL debut, living up to the hype with a jaw-dropping knockout that took just nine seconds to unfold. In front of a roaring home crowd in Paris, Doumbe made a statement that will be remembered for years to come. The fight ignited in a blaze of rapid-fire action as Jordan Zebo initiated the contest with a swift kick. However, Doumbe, known for his lightning reflexes, seized the opportunity. In the blink of an eye, he caught Zebo's leg mid-kick and countered with a stunning display of precision and power. A colossal left hook landed flush, followed by a thunderous right hand that added an exclamation point to the knockout. Zebo, caught off guard, was sent crashing to the canvas, his fate sealed in a mere nine seconds. Referee Marc Goddard swiftly intervened to halt the contest, as Doumbe basked in the glory of a sensational victory in the PFL Europe main event. Reflecting on his remarkable win, Doumbe exuded confidence, saying, "That's one of my best preparations that I ever did in combat sports. I feel in shape. Everything was settled to knock him out. I knew I would knock him out. That's what I expected. This is my specialty; I'm a kickboxer. He just came into it, and that was easy." Replays of the electrifying moment showcased Doumbe's fluid motion as he deftly caught the head kick. Zebo's attempt to evade was futile, as the 31-year-old knockout artist unleashed the left hook that effectively sealed the fight. It was a punch delivered with both power and precision, leaving Zebo with no time to react, let alone defend himself. Cedric Doumbe's signing with the PFL had generated immense excitement, and he certainly lived up to the expectations, wasting no time in making a memorable first impression. With this victory, he remains undefeated in his MMA career, boasting a flawless 5-0 record. As Doumbe eagerly awaits his next assignment from the PFL, potentially in the upcoming season in 2024, he leaves a clear message to the entire MMA world: "I never decline a fight. Anyone. I never have to call out anybody because I'm the best." With his lightning-fast knockout, Cedric Doumbe has announced his arrival in the PFL in unforgettable fashion, and fans can't wait to see what the future holds for this exceptional talent in the world of mixed martial arts.

After winning a grappling match at Polaris 25, Aljamain Sterling calls out Sean O’Malley for a rematch Aljamain Sterling, the former UFC bantamweight champion, won a decision over Mike Grundy in a grappling match at Polaris 25 on Saturday. The match was a close contest between the two wrestlers, who battled for position and control on the ground. Sterling displayed his toughness and skill with his takedowns and grappling transitions. He managed to edge out Grundy in the 10-minute match, which gave him a much-needed win after he lost his title to O’Malley at UFC 292. Sterling was not satisfied with just the win, however. He quickly turned his attention to O’Malley, the current UFC bantamweight champion, and challenged him to a rematch in front of the crowd in Wales. “I have something to say to Mr. Suga T***, because that’s what he is to me,” Sterling yelled. “Hey, give me another shot or fight Merab [Dvalishvili]. It’s that easy. “Stop hiding from the top fighters and be a man and a real champion. Fight the best of the best. That’s what I did and now you have to do the same thing. Let’s go.” Sterling has been vocal about wanting a rematch with O’Malley ever since he lost by TKO in the second round. O’Malley has defended his title three times in a row, breaking the record for the most bantamweight title defenses in UFC history. If O’Malley does not agree to fight Sterling again, Sterling wants his friend and teammate Merab Dvalishvili to get the chance instead. Dvalishvili has a nine-fight winning streak in the division, including victories over former UFC champions Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.

In the unforgiving world of bare-knuckle fighting, there's a reigning queen, and her name is Britain Hart. On a thrilling Friday evening at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia, Hart proved once again why she's the gold standard in the sport, successfully defending her strawweight title with a resounding unanimous decision over challenger Melanie Shah in the main event of BKFC 51. Shah, with only two previous fights in BKFC under her belt before earning this title shot, stepped into the ring with unyielding determination. Throughout the bout, she displayed remarkable grit, refusing to back down even when facing the relentless fury of the champion. Yet, it was in the final round that the fight reached its zenith, as Britain Hart unleashed a relentless barrage of punches upon her already battered opponent, with such ferocity that it sent one of Shah's teeth soaring through the air. Despite the shocking loss of a tooth, Melanie Shah's indomitable spirit saw her through the harrowing onslaught. However, when the judges' scorecards were revealed, it was clear that Hart's dominance had left an indelible mark on the fight. Shah, commendable in her resilience, had lost every round on the scorecards. This victory marked Britain Hart's second successful title defense, and it's only the beginning of a busy fall for the champion. Already booked for another battle, she's set to face Po Denman on November 4 at BKFC Thailand 5, promising fans another electrifying showdown. Britain Hart's reign as the Bare-Knuckle Queen remains unchallenged, and her journey in the ring continues to captivate fans, one tooth-shattering punch at a time.

Canelo Álvarez defends his súper middleweight titles against a Charlo that fought to survive. He didnt put up a fight, Charlo ran the hole fight using only his jab. Canelo was able to drop Charlo in the 7th but that was it. Charlo wasnt a good dance partner tonight and at times look afraid of Canelo making it a boring fight. Canelo won confortably just stalking and hitting a non-responsive Charlo. Its not Canelos fault Charlo was afraid to commit, but Canelo in my opinión did not convince and this version of Canelo will have a really hard time if he decides to fight Benavidez or a Bivol rematch.

In the world of combat sports, some athletes shine brightly, capturing our hearts and inspiring us with their dedication and perseverance. One such shining star is Stamp Fairtex, whose remarkable journey culminated in a historic achievement: becoming a three-sport titleholder in the ONE Championship. As she proudly declared, "I think I’m the only woman, and I’m the first person who has achieved this title." On a Friday night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Stamp Fairtex danced her way to the cage, exuding confidence and grace. Her opponent, UFC alumnus Seo Hee Ham, stood as a formidable obstacle. However, Fairtex, with her extraordinary skill set and unwavering determination, emerged victorious in the ONE Fight Night 14 headliner, claiming the ONE Championship 115-pound title. This momentous win was made even more special as it followed Angela Lee's impromptu retirement, which led to the vacating of the title. Fairtex's achievement goes beyond the conventional realm of combat sports. It's not merely a championship; it's a trifecta of titles. She now holds the MMA title, alongside the promotion's kickboxing and Muay Thai titles. This remarkable feat is a testament to her versatility and unparalleled skill in the world of martial arts. What's more, after the fight, she received the championship torch from her idol and former opponent, Angela Lee, in a touching passing of the torch moment. Fairtex expressed her gratitude, saying, "She told me herself I would be the next champ, which I feel very honored for." However, Fairtex's journey to this pinnacle of success has been nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in humble beginnings, she knows the value of hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of family. "My family, when I grew up, we were poor," she reflected. "We didn't have a lot in financials. ... That's how I realized I only have my family. My family is all I had, and they will always be there for me." Though Fairtex sported a slight injury under her right eye during the post-fight news conference, her spirit and determination remained undiminished. As for what's next for this remarkable champion, she welcomes all challengers but acknowledges the need for a well-deserved break to rest and spend quality time with her family. "I'd love to fight with anyone who is on the way," she proclaimed. Stamp Fairtex's star continues to rise, and her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes around the world.