Jamahal Hill, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, recently shared the harrowing tale of how he ruptured his Achilles, a moment that led to the unfortunate necessity of relinquishing his coveted title. Hill recounted the fateful incident during an appearance on Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith's Believe You Me podcast, offering a glimpse into the dramatic turn of events that reshaped the light heavyweight division. The injury occurred not in the cage, but on a basketball court. Hill, known as 'Sweet Dreams' in the Octagon, was indulging in some hoops when disaster struck. He vividly described the pivotal moment, revealing that he was chasing after the basketball, sprinting alongside middleweight contender Derek Brunson. And then, it happened. "As soon as I went to go plant on my left foot and spring off it, it just kinda gave. It felt like somebody stepped on the back of my leg, right, so when it happened I just fell over...I think I actually dragged Derek Brunson down with me which actually led me to think that he stepped on my leg...I thought Derek Brunson had ruptured my Achilles," Hill recollected with a mix of surprise and disbelief. The aftermath of this unexpected incident left Hill with an eerie sensation. He explained the immediate aftermath of the injury, saying, "When I stood up, I knew something was off...Instantly it was the burning sensation, felt like somebody stepped on the back of my leg, and then it felt like I had a high heel on. Felt like I couldn't get my heel to the ground but my heel was flat to the ground...It was really weird." This unforeseen injury has not only disrupted Hill's career but has also forced the UFC to make significant changes in the light heavyweight division. With Hill vacating the title, the promotion is now gearing up to crown a new champion. Jiri Prochazka is scheduled to face Alex Pereira for the vacant light heavyweight championship at UFC 295, a bout that will shape the future of the division.

Tony Ferguson, the former interim UFC lightweight champion and one of the sport's most enduring figures, is about to embark on a journey that could redefine his legacy. And the question on everyone's mind is: does he have one more magical night left in him? Daniel Cormier, a UFC legend in his own right, thinks Tony Ferguson may yet dazzle the world once more. After a daunting six-fight losing streak that has tested the resilience of even the toughest fighters, Ferguson is gearing up to face the surging Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 on December 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ferguson's recent string of losses has been a tough pill to swallow for his fans and critics alike. The names on his list of tormentors read like a who's who of the lightweight division: Bobby Green, Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje. But amidst this adversity, there have been glimmers of the old "El Cucuy." Cormier, ever the astute observer, recalls Ferguson's ability to stun Gaethje with a thunderous uppercut and drop Chandler in their memorable encounter. It's moments like these that make you wonder: can Ferguson turn back the clock and pull off another spectacular upset against the rising star Paddy Pimblett? Cormier mused on his YouTube channel, "Is it as simple as he just needs one? Imagine what happens for Tony Ferguson if he beats Paddy Pimblett. He said before the last fight – I sat in the fighter meeting with him and Tony Ferguson said, 'It's going to be a fight right now. Five more fights, I'm on the title.' So, it's not like he has lost that desire to fight. He has not lost the thought that he can be a world champion." The notion of fighters summoning their greatness for one last hurrah isn't new. Cormier aptly points to the legendary George Foreman, who defied all odds to conquer Michael Moorer in a bout he had no business winning and Ferguson might just be on the cusp of that unforgettable night. "Every great champion has one more night in him," Cormier emphasizes Cormier has previously suggested that Ferguson retire, but he remains a fervent believer in the former champion's abilities. "I think Tony Ferguson was so good," he reflects. "The way he would hit these guys, they would look like they were bludgeoned." However, Cormier acknowledges that Ferguson seemed to lose a part of himself in the brutal war with Justin Gaethje, a fight that changed fighters forever. As the MMA world eagerly awaits the clash between Ferguson and Pimblett, the question lingers in the air: can Tony Ferguson summon the ghosts of his glorious past and stage a comeback for the ages? Only time will tell, but in the unforgiving arena of the octagon, anything is possible.

John Fury, the father and trainer of boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has ridiculed Francis Ngannou’s boxing skills after watching his open workout with Mike Tyson in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to make his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. John Fury posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday, where he expressed his disbelief at Ngannou’s performance and claimed that his son would knock him out in the first round. “I just saw Francis Ngannou and Mike Tyson and that so-called trainer with the pads on, saw the open workout. I hope he’s joking and he’s playing possum here,” he said. "I hope that’s a joke and meant to be funny. Because if not, he has no chance. He has no hope in hell. He won’t last a round. It will probably be Tyson’s fastest knockout. “But you know what? It must be a trick, that. It must be a game. Because if that’s what he has - well, God help him, he’ll be destroyed. That’s all I have to say, mate. That’s shameful. If that’s what he can do on a public workout, don’t bother doing a public workout. It’s a disgrace.” Ngannou, 37, and Fury, 35, will face each other in a 10-round heavyweight boxing match next month. Fury’s WBC heavyweight title will not be on the line, but the fight will count on both fighters’ official records, meaning that “The Predator” will have a chance to become the first boxer to hand Fury his first professional loss. Who will come out on top in this fight? Comment and let us know. Follow fight.tv for all the latest new and updates from the world of MMA.

Dana White, the outspoken UFC CEO, couldn't hide his grin when asked about the swirling rumors regarding Showtime's possible exit from the world of boxing. The relationship between White and Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza has been far from harmonious over the years, despite their collaboration on the blockbuster boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. The rumors of Showtime's departure from the boxing scene emerged on social media, courtesy of an analyst known as "Raf," who suggested that after 2024, Showtime would be shutting its boxing operations. When questioned about his thoughts on this development, White didn't hold back his sarcasm, seemingly relishing the prospect of Showtime Boxing's potential closure. "That's incredibly unfortunate," White quipped with a sardonic smile, speaking to reporters. "Production of that show was fantastic. The guy who runs Showtime Boxing is a great human being. It's unfortunate to hear this. F*ck Espinoza, and it's about time that sh*tty product is off the air." White's candid remarks shed light on the complex and contentious relationship that has simmered between him and Stephen Espinoza over the years. However, White's perspective on the matter appears to be less about personal grudges and more about his opinion on the state of Showtime Boxing. Showtime's potential exit from the boxing arena would undoubtedly leave a significant void in the market, and Dana White, ever the provocateur, teased the possibility of the UFC making its foray into the sport of boxing. Over the years, White has dropped hints about the launch of Zuffa Boxing, and when questioned about the prospect, he responded with characteristic ambiguity. "You never know," White mused. "Sounds good to me." The future of Showtime Boxing remains uncertain, and Dana White's reaction adds yet another layer of intrigue to the ongoing drama in the combat sports world. Whether White's UFC will indeed step into the world of boxing or if Showtime will continue to hold its ground, fight fans can expect the unexpected as the story unfolds in the coming years.

Johnny Eblen, though not a household name in the world of mixed martial arts, has certainly made waves in the MMA community with his recent victory at Bellator 299 in Dublin. The American fighter extended his undefeated streak to an impressive 14-0, successfully defending his Bellator middleweight title against Fabian Edwards. However, it was not just Eblen's victory that made headlines; it was the controversy that followed. Amid a brutal ground and pound that led to the stoppage of the fight, Eblen found himself at the center of a storm. An eagle-eyed spectator captured the moment and claimed that Eblen had spat on his opponent in the heat of the battle. The footage, shared on social media, had fans and pundits debating whether Eblen's actions were intentional or simply a result of the intense emotions that often accompany such high-stakes fights. But the drama didn't end in the cage. Following the fight's conclusion, Eblen boldly approached the older brother of his opponent, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Eblen's mouth seemed to form the words, "You're next" as he stared down the UFC champ. The timing couldn't have been more intriguing, as Leon Edwards is currently scheduled to face Colby Covington at UFC 296. During his post-fight press conference, Johnny Eblen addressed the incident, displaying a mix of emotions. "A lot of emotions, bro," Eblen admitted when questioned about the confrontation with Leon Edwards. Despite his earlier intensity, Eblen expressed his hopes that Edwards would defeat Colby Covington when they face off later in the year. He didn't mince words when it came to Covington, stating, "I f****** hate Colby. That dude sucks." Eblen didn't stop there. He openly discussed his desire to compete against Leon Edwards in the future, despite the difference in weight classes. "I want to fight him, too," Eblen declared. "He's one of the best guys in the world, and I want to prove I'm one of the best in the world. You have to fight everybody. He's not in my weight class, but he might move up to 185 eventually." Interestingly, Eblen revealed that he had approached Edwards after their in-cage confrontation and extended an apology. "I went over after and said, 'Sorry my emotions were high.' I squashed the beef. I don't have anything wrong with him. I just want to fight the guy."

The former UFC welterweight title challenger was in good spirits, eagerly anticipating his upcoming showdown against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. But beyond the promise of victory, Thompson had another expectation - backpay. The story begins with Thompson's scheduled bout at UFC 291 against Michel Pereira, a matchup eagerly awaited by fans. However, the excitement was short-lived when Pereira tipped the scales three pounds over the welterweight limit, coming in at 174 pounds. In contrast, Thompson had diligently met the agreed-upon weight of 170.5 pounds. Given the violation of the contracted weight limit, Thompson chose not to proceed with the fight, fully expecting to receive his show money as he had upheld his end of the bargain. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. As Thompson candidly put it, "I do believe that they're going to - I think the deal is, when I fight Shavkat, they're going to add on what they owed me for the last fight." It was a matter of principle for Thompson, who believed that fairness should prevail. Thompson's journey to UFC 296 was a convoluted one, with various factors at play. Initially, there was mutual interest in a fight between Thompson and former champ Kamaru Usman. However, the UFC repeatedly informed Thompson that Usman had different plans. Simultaneously, Ian Garry, fresh off a victory over Neil Magny at UFC 292, called Thompson out. The UFC even offered Thompson a bout against Garry, but he declined, asserting that he was done fighting opponents ranked below him. He desired a challenge from someone ranked above him, and he got what he wished for. Now, at 40 years old, Thompson, ranked No. 7 in the welterweight division, faces the formidable No. 6, Shavkat Rakhmonov. For Thompson, it's an opportunity to hand Rakhmonov his first professional defeat and further his title aspirations. Thompson, fresh off a victory over Kevin Holland, understands the significance of this bout. Rakhmonov's flawless 100-percent finish rate has made him a daunting prospect, and Thompson is relishing the challenge. "People are looking at this guy, undefeated, hundred percent finish rate. Nobody wants to fight this guy, so here I am," Thompson said. "I'm like, do I fight somebody ranked below me? Do I fight somebody ranked above me, probably one of the toughest guys in the division who nobody wants to fight? I'll fight Shavkat. Let's do it. Let's make it happen." In Stephen Thompson's eyes, victory over Rakhmonov could very well pave the way to another shot at the welterweight title. With a mixture of determination, optimism, and perhaps a touch of justified impatience, Thompson eagerly awaits UFC 296, fully aware that he's not just fighting for victory but also for the recognition he believes he deserves.

Ah, leg kicks. The standup games equivalent of ankle locks to jiujitsu. You hate them, some are downright nasty and questionably legal, but you have to understand them and train them. Fight.TV breaks down leg kicks with what better example than some fight legends who had a twist of fate. The gruesome incident that unfolded during the UFC 168 bout between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman left the MMA world in shock. Anderson Silva, often hailed as one of the greatest fighters of all time, suffered a horrific leg break when his leg collided with Weidman's shin during a leg kick attempt. The impact was devastating, shattering Silva's lower leg and instantly ending the fight. Fast forward a few years, and the MMA universe witnessed a cruel twist of fate. Chris Weidman, the very man responsible for Silva's leg break, found himself in a similar nightmarish situation when he faced Uriah Hall at UFC 261. In an eerie parallel, Weidman's leg snapped upon impact as he attempted a leg kick, just as Silva's had done before him. It was a stark reminder of the brutality that can unfold in the sport, a painful and unfortunate chapter in the careers of both fighters. In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), fighters utilize a variety of techniques to gain an edge over their opponents. One such technique that has risen to prominence is the leg kick. These punishing strikes have the potential to sap an opponent's strength and mobility, ultimately altering the course of a fight. Fighters with Thunderous Leg Kicks José Aldo - The former UFC Featherweight Champion, Aldo is famous for his brutal leg kicks. He often targets the thighs and calves, debilitating opponents and forcing them to adjust their game plan. Edson Barboza - A true technician in the art of leg kicks, Barboza's kicks are blindingly fast and powerful. His highlight-reel leg kicks have left many opponents unable to continue. Thiago Alves - Alves, known as "The Pitbull," possesses thunderous leg kicks that have broken opponents' legs in the cage. His precision and power make him a fearsome striker. Types of Leg Kicks Low Kicks: These are aimed at the opponent's calf or ankle. Low kicks can disrupt an opponent's balance and slow their movement, when executed properly, it's more of a sweep but none the less. Mastering leg kicks can help with your sweeps. Inside and Outside Leg Kicks: Fighters use these to target the inside or outside of the thigh, affecting their opponent's mobility and causing pain. Consistent barrages to the thigh and calf can drain an opponent quickly. Oblique Kicks: These are straight kicks aimed at the opponent's knee. While controversial due to their potential to cause injury, they are effective at destabilizing an opponent. Jon Jones is famous for these. Defending Against Leg Kicks Check Kicks: By lifting your leg to intercept the incoming kick, you can block or weaken the impact of leg kicks. However, proper timing and technique are crucial. Distance Management: Maintaining the right distance can make it challenging for your opponent to land leg kicks. Keep them on the outside of your striking range. Counter Strikes: If your opponent is predictable with their leg kicks, you can counter with takedown attempts or other kicks to deter them. Conditioning: Strengthening your leg muscles and shins through conditioning exercises can help reduce the pain and damage caused by leg kicks. In the world of mixed martial arts, checking a leg kick is a fundamental defensive technique that can make the difference between victory and defeat. Leg kicks when executed effectively, can severely damage an opponent's leg. Impeding their mobility and striking power. To successfully check a leg kick, a fighter must lift their shin and knee to block the incoming strike. Identifying when an opponent is about to throw a leg kick is crucial. Watch for telltale signs such as a slight shift in weight to their lead leg or a chambering motion of their kicking leg. Pay attention to the distance between you and your opponent, as they may attempt a leg kick when in close range. By honing your ability to spot these cues and reacting swiftly with a well-timed check, you not only protect yourself from potential injury. You create openings for counterattacks, demonstrating the significance of this defensive maneuver in the dynamic world of MMA. Leg kicks are a potent weapon in the arsenal of any MMA fighter. With the right technique, timing, and strategy, they can be a game-changer in the cage. Whether you're looking to add leg kicks to your own repertoire or defend against them, understanding the art of leg kicks is essential for success in MMA. So, train hard, refine your skills, and watch out for those thunderous leg kicks when you step into the octagon.

The UFC is eyeing a return to China for the first time in two years. The promotion is reportedly targeting Shanghai for a UFC Fight Night on December 9, though nothing is official yet. A potential main event has also been revealed for the card. Instead of the anticipated strawweight title fight between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan, which has been delayed due to the champion's unavailability, another Chinese star will get a huge opportunity in front of his home crowd. Yan (16-5) has been on a rough patch since he lost his bantamweight belt by disqualification for an illegal knee against Aljamain Sterling in 2020. He bounced back with an interim title win over Cory Sandhagen, but then dropped three consecutive bouts. In 2022, he lost a close decision to Sterling in their rematch and a controversial one to current champion Sean O'Malley. His most recent outing was a clear defeat by Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC Las Vegas main event in March. Song (20-7-1, 1 NC) is looking to capitalize on Yan's slump in the UFC's final event of the year. The Chinese fighter is ranked #7 in the bantamweight division, two spots below Yan, and is coming off an impressive knockout win over Ricky Simón in the fifth round of their Apex main event in April. Song will try to climb the ladder and challenge for the title by beating Yan.

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is looking to make his comeback in early 2024. The Australian star has been sidelined since his impressive TKO win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July. That victory erased the memory of his controversial defeat to Islam Makhachev in February, which many fans thought he won. Volkanovski, who goes by the nickname ‘The Great’, has not announced his next opponent yet. He had expressed interest in moving up to lightweight and challenging Makhachev, but the Russian fighter is already scheduled to face Charles Oliveira in October. He also considered a potential superfight with bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, but Sterling lost his belt to Sean O’Malley in August. On X, Volkanovski took to social media to tease his fans about his return date. He posted a message saying “January sounds good to me!” without revealing any details about the event or the opponent. However, many observers believe that he will face Ilia Topuria, the rising contender from Georgia. Topuria, who is known as ‘El Matador’, has been calling out Volkanovski for a while. He earned his shot at the title with a dominant decision win over Josh Emmett in June. He has a perfect record of 14-0 and has shown impressive skills in striking and grappling. Volkanovski was initially not interested in fighting Topuria, but he changed his mind after Makhachev was booked. He said that Topuria was a worthy challenger and that he would give him a tough fight. He also said that he wanted to stay active and defend his belt as often as possible. The UFC has not confirmed the fight yet, but it seems like a logical matchup for both fighters.

As he prepares for the biggest challenge of his career, Francis Ngannou has a legendary mentor by his side: Mike Tyson. The ex-UFC heavyweight king joined forces with “Iron Mike” for an open workout in Las Vegas, ahead of his boxing debut against Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou faces an undefeated opponent in Fury, who has 34 wins under his belt. You can watch Ngannou and Tyson train together on the pads below. Ngannou has said that he hopes to learn from Tyson, one of the best knockout artists in boxing history. But Ngannou is also a fearsome striker, who left the UFC with 10 KO/TKO wins in seven years, including seven in less than two minutes. Ngannou will test his skills against Fury, a seasoned boxer with 24 knockouts to his credit. Fury is coming off a 10th-round TKO win over Derek Chisora in their third fight, which secured his WBC heavyweight title. Can Francis Ngannou pull off one of the biggest boxing upsets in History? Comment and let us know. Follo fight.tv for all the latest news and updates from the world of MMA and boxing.

Khamzat Chimaev, the rising star of the UFC, is ready to make a statement in the middleweight division. After a year-long hiatus, he is gearing up to face Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21. Chimaev believes that a victory over Costa will position him just one step away from a title shot, and he has a clear message for the division's top contenders, including the current champion, Sean Strickland. Chimaev's return to middleweight comes after an unfortunate weight miss in the welterweight division last September, which led to a reshuffle of UFC 279's top fights. During his absence, the middleweight title changed hands multiple times, eventually landing with Sean Strickland at UFC 293. With Strickland now holding the belt, the middleweight contender landscape has become wide open, and Chimaev sees this as his golden opportunity. "Now it's my time," Chimaev confidently stated in his YouTube vlog. "Smash that guy [Costa], then it doesn't matter if it will be Izzy or Strickland or somebody else. We're coming for them." Chimaev didn't hold back when addressing Strickland, the current champion. "Strickland, coming for him," he continued. "If you stay there, man, coming for you too. He works hard, deserves it, the guy is always in the gym, now he got the belt. They deserve that belt. He has been active, fights with everybody. I don't know why [the UFC] is waiting. Give that chance to me. They are hiding that belt from me. Anyway, like I said, when I smash everybody, they have to give that belt to me." Despite his prior hiccup on the scales, Chimaev has made a significant impact at middleweight in the UFC. He submitted John Phillips in his promotional debut and famously knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds. Although he has primarily competed as a welterweight, Chimaev is confident that his performance won't be hindered by the switch in weight class. "It's a different weight class," Chimaev acknowledged. "Different power, we eat different, not hungry anymore. At 77 kg, I eat just rice, rice [and] fish, rice [and] chicken, it's crazy. Now, more training than before, more food, more energy, different power, different energy, that's good." Chimaev's message to his fellow fighters is clear: he's a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division, and he's coming for the gold. As he prepares to face Costa, fans can't help but wonder if Chimaev's impressive skills and unwavering determination will indeed earn him a shot at the middleweight championship, putting the entire division on notice.

Dillon Danis has gone from being a "laughing stock" to the center of attention, all thanks to his relentless social media trolling campaign against his upcoming opponent, Logan Paul. UFC welterweight Matt Brown, who had previously shown no interest in this fight, now credits Danis for grabbing his attention and transforming this matchup into a must-watch spectacle. Brown, speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, couldn't help but acknowledge Danis's audacious antics. "Dillon's dropping bombs," Brown said, admiring Danis's ability to stir up a storm. He went on to note that without the provocative videos and relentless trolling, Danis wouldn't have any material. But as Brown pointed out, when you put yourself out there, you have to be prepared for the consequences. Danis, a Bellator veteran, has made a name for himself on social media over the years, often promising a return to combat sports. However, his decision to back out of a fight against KSI earlier this year initially garnered criticism. Still, with his recent campaign targeting both Logan Paul and Paul's fiancée, model Nina Agdal, Danis has managed to turn the tables in the public eye. Brown highlighted the success of Danis's strategy by pointing to his growing Twitter following, which now approaches a million followers. Despite being considered the "laughing stock" of the jiu-jitsu and combat sports world, Danis has effectively created a buzz around the Logan Paul fight, making it a talking point in the combat sports community. However, Brown reminded everyone that, ultimately, actions speak louder than words in the world of fighting. While Danis has succeeded in generating hype, he must now deliver in the ring on October 14. Brown predicted that Logan Paul would likely emerge victorious, but he also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of combat sports, where anything can happen. In the end, whether you love or hate Dillon Danis's antics, there's no denying that he has successfully transformed a seemingly ordinary matchup into a must-see event, proving that in the world of combat sports, the battle begins long before the fighters step into the ring.