Jon Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, continues to claim Francis Ngannou bailed on a match. Ngannou's announcement on Tuesday that he had signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with the PFL has stunned the MMA community. After a turbulent finale to his UFC career, the deal brings an abrupt stop to his free agency. After Ngannou left the UFC, the organisation took away his heavyweight title. When Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March, the belt was finally his. Prior to Jones vs. Gane, it appeared that Jones and Ngannou would square off in the following heavyweight bout. Ngannou and the UFC eventually split up because they couldn't agree on virtually anything. Despite Jones winning the heavyweight belt, Ngannou still has a negative influence on the division he formerly ruled. Ngannou declared himself to be the "baddest man on the planet" in a video message that was uploaded to his YouTube page upon the announcement of his PFL contract. In a recent tweet, Jones had a less-than-supportive message for Ngannou after he signed with the PFL. "Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol." Jones tweeted. It didn't take long for Ngannou to issue an eerie response to Jones. Eric Nicksick, Ngannou's MMA trainer, reportedly asserted that a defeat against Jones would have resulted in a significant pay decrease for Ngannou. He listed it as one of many obstacles that Ngannou and the UFC encountered during their unsuccessful negotiations. Later this year, Jones is anticipated to take on Stipe Miocic in his first heavyweight title defence. At UFC 260, Ngannou defeated Miocic to win the title, which he then defended against Gane.

UFC veteran Tony Ferguson (25-8) has a confirmed return just over a week after some concerning legal troubles. Ferguson, The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner, and a former interim lightweight champion, recently made news after he was charged with misdemeanor DUI after crashing his truck outside a Hollywood nightclub. Despite that episode, in which he was said to have detected of alcohol, rejected a sobriety test, and acted uncooperatively with law officials, Ferguson now has a fight on his hands. UFC President Dana White made a number of significant announcements online on Tuesday. He went over more of the promotion's summer plans, including the whole main card for the UFC 291 pay-per-view, which is planned for July 29 in Salt Lake City. Ferguson will get into the cage for the first time in 2023 to battle another fan-favorite veteran Bobby Green (29-14-1, 1 NC), in addition to Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje headlining for the "BMF" title and Alex Pereira making his light heavyweight debut. After a brief stint in the 170-pound class, where he was defeated by Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 279 in September, "El Cucuy" will now compete in the lightweight division. Ferguson will attempt to end his five-fight losing streak by defeating Green, who has lost his last three fights.

The UFC's bantamweight division is renowned for its abundance of talent and fierce competition, and the latest matchup in the works promises to deliver another thrilling encounter. Rising prospect Umar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, is set to face off against the formidable Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated clash. With both fighters aiming to solidify their position in the division, this bout is sure to captivate fans worldwide. Cory Sandhagen, hailing from Colorado, has been making waves in the UFC's bantamweight division since his debut in 2018. Currently ranked fourth in the division, Sandhagen boasts an impressive professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Notable victories over Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, Raphael Assuncao, and John Lineker have established him as a top contender. Despite falling short in title contention bouts against Aljamain Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, and Petr Yan, Sandhagen's recent wins over higher-ranked opponents have cemented his position among the division's elite. Umar Nurmagomedov, the talented Dagestani fighter and cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been making a name for himself with an unblemished professional record of 16-0. His UFC journey has been equally impressive, with four victories inside the Octagon. The most recent of these was a stunning first-round knockout of Raoni Barcelos, which showcased his exceptional skills and potential. Ranked eleventh in the bantamweight division, Nurmagomedov is hungry for recognition and eager to break into the top ranks. Following Umar Nurmagomedov's revelation on social media that he has secured an upcoming bout, reports have confirmed that the UFC is targeting a showdown between him and Cory Sandhagen. The announcement has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike, with many eager to witness these two rising stars go head-to-head. Sandhagen's acceptance of the fight may come as a surprise, considering his recent victories over higher-ranked contenders. Speculating on the outcome of such a high-stakes matchup is no easy task. Both fighters possess an array of skills and have displayed their ability to adapt to various styles inside the Octagon. The winner of this battle will likely be determined by their ability to implement their game plan effectively. If Sandhagen can maintain distance and utilize his striking advantage, he may find success against Nurmagomedov's aggressive approach. Conversely, Nurmagomedov's grappling expertise and relentless pace could pose significant challenges for Sandhagen. The lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is Nurmagomedov's teammate, said that the two are going to headline the show in a post on Instagram, albeit no venue or time is officially set as of now.

In a quest to solidify his status as one of the UFC's elite fighters, Alexander Volkanovski has set his sights on a year-end rematch with lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. Despite falling short in their previous encounter, Volkanovski's unwavering determination to become a double champion has him eager to step back into the octagon with Makhachev. With the UFC's return to Fight Island approaching, the outcome of key matchups in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions may hold the key to Volkanovski's championship aspirations. After a relatively quiet run in 2020 and 2021, Volkanovski promised to become more active in the UFC featherweight division. True to his word, the Australian fighter delivered two remarkable performances in 2022, defeating notable opponents such as "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung and Max Holloway. However, his most recent challenge saw him move up a weight class to take on the newly crowned lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, at UFC 284. The battle between Volkanovski and Makhachev at UFC 284 was nothing short of an instant classic. The two champions showcased their exceptional skills and left fans divided over who deserved the victory. Ultimately, Makhachev emerged victorious by unanimous decision, leaving Volkanovski determined to secure a rematch and prove his worth. With Makhachev's expected next fight scheduled for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21, Volkanovski had to find a way to stay busy in the meantime. Meanwhile, the UFC crowned an interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodriguez, on the same night as Volkanovski's clash with Makhachev. This interim title sets the stage for a unification bout between Rodriguez and Volkanovski at UFC 290 on July 8. “I wanted to be active. I told you that,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I was asked after the fight [with Makhachev], do I want to wait around for the rematch, do I want to fight at featherweight, what do I wanna do? I don’t want to wait around. They said, ‘Do you want to wait around and the only thing is if you wait for that fight, that might not be until the end of the year.’ We don’t know when that fight is happening but it’s not looking like it’s gonna be anytime soon. “I ain’t waiting. I’d rather fight featherweight than do the rematch sometime at the end of the year, whenever it is. Whenever that fight can happen, that fight’s always gonna be there. I want to stay active and I told you I wanted to stay active and I wasn’t lying. This is proof of that.” Volkanovski understands that his path to redemption lies in overcoming the best contenders in his division. Before his potential rematch with Makhachev, top lightweight fighters Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush will battle it out for the chance to face the reigning champion. The outcome of this fight, as well as Volkanovski's clash with Rodriguez, may ultimately determine the UFC's plans for a Makhachev vs. Volkanovski rematch. MMA fans can expect an exhilarating end to the year as the pieces fall into place for a highly anticipated rematch between Volkanovski and Makhachev. Stay tuned for more information.

Daniel Dubois Parts Ways with Trainer Shane McGuigan, Joins Forces with Don Charles British heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois has made a significant change in his training camp, parting ways with trainer Shane McGuigan and enlisting the services of Don Charles. Dubois, currently the WBA "regular" champion, is on track to face Oleksandr Usyk for the full title this summer. Dubois and McGuigan had joined forces in May 2021 following Dubois' defeat to Joe Joyce in November 2020. Under McGuigan's guidance, Dubois rebounded with four consecutive victories, all of them ending inside the distance. His most notable win during this period was a fourth-round stoppage of Trevor Bryan, which earned him the WBA strap. However, news has emerged that the 25-year-old heavyweight has decided to part ways with McGuigan and has been training alongside Don Charles for the past three to four weeks. Sources close to the situation have confirmed the split, indicating a shift in Dubois' coaching staff. While Dubois has chosen to work with Charles, his sister Caroline, a highly regarded prospect in women's boxing, will continue to be trained by McGuigan. Caroline recently participated in a media workout alongside her coach, emphasizing their ongoing partnership. Don Charles, known for his work with British heavyweight Dereck Chisora, who achieved British and European titles under his tutelage, is now set to take on the role of Dubois' trainer. Their first assignment together is likely to be a shot at Oleksandr Usyk's WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF world heavyweight titles. As negotiations between Dubois and Usyk failed to yield an agreement, the WBA has announced that a purse bid will be held in Houston, Texas, on May 25 to determine the promoter for the bout. Usyk, as the reigning champion, will receive 75 percent of the winning bid, while Dubois will receive the remaining 25 percent. With Dubois making a strategic change in his coaching staff ahead of a potentially career-defining fight against Usyk, the heavyweight division continues to intrigue fans with its ever-evolving landscape. The decision to work with Don Charles brings new dynamics to Dubois' training and adds further anticipation to his pursuit of championship glory in the highly competitive heavyweight division.

David Haye Predicts KSI's Triumph: Backing Him to Conquer Tommy Fury and Jake Paul Former two-division world champion, David Haye, is confident that KSI will emerge victorious in potential clashes against both Tommy Fury and Jake Paul. Haye, who was present at the OVO Arena Wembley last Saturday, witnessed his close friend Joe Fournier suffer a controversial second-round TKO defeat at the hands of KSI. In the fight, KSI stunned Fournier with a powerful blow, but it was an elbow to the jaw that ultimately knocked Fournier out. Unfortunately, the referee failed to notice the illegal strike and stopped the fight while Fournier was still on the mat and in severe trouble. Following the bout, Tommy Fury entered the ring and engaged in a heated exchange of words with KSI, which quickly escalated into a brief scuffle. Presently, KSI's two most significant potential opponents are Fury and Paul. While Paul has already scheduled a return to the ring on August 5 against MMA icon Nate Diaz, Fury is without a likely next opponent and has no scheduled fights on the horizon. Should these fights materialize, Haye firmly believes that KSI will prevail against both Fury and Paul. "I think [KSI] knocks Tommy Fury out, real easy. Off the strength of that. And Jake Paul as well, I think he beats both of them," Haye stated in an interview with Seconds Out. Referring to KSI's impressive performance, Haye emphasized the unorthodox style and crisp shots thrown by the YouTuber-turned-boxer. He also acknowledged the controversy surrounding the elbow strike but noted that KSI's timing and technique were commendable, regardless. Haye's prediction reflects his belief that KSI's unique approach to boxing sets him apart from traditional fighters, making him a formidable force in the ring. As fans eagerly await the possibility of these high-profile matchups, Haye's vote of confidence in KSI adds fuel to the anticipation, heightening the excitement surrounding the potential clashes between KSI, Tommy Fury, and Jake Paul.

Nine days after losing by decision to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288 on May 6, Kron Gracie broke his silence. Three and a half years after his last fight, the multiple-time jiu-jitsu champion battled Jourdain for 15 minutes in Newark, New Jersey. The bout, according to UFC President Dana White, was "like coming out of a time capsule in 1995," and Rickson Gracie's son "came in very limited tonight." On Monday, the 34-year-old spoke candidly about the loss, admitting that he had received "bad advice." “In a lifetime of fighting, it’s always been a fight to the death,” Gracie wrote on an Instagram story post. “Understand the situation and willing to limit myself, even that being said I threw no punches because of bad advice and tried to please the jiu-jitsu community two days before my fight. First fight in my life I didn’t throw a punch, going back to my old ways.” According to UFC Stats, Gracie scored 32 of 57 important strikes and deflected 80 of Jourdain's 168 significant strike attempts over the course of three rounds. With his second straight loss, Gracie fell to 1-2 in the UFC and 5-2 overall in his MMA career. In his first five MMA matches, the ADCC gold medalist finished all five with submissions, including three consecutive rear-naked chokes over Hideo Tokoro, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Alex Caceres from 2016 to 2019.

PFL has secured the signing of the hottest free agent in all of Combat sports. After giving up the UFC heavyweight title in January to become a free agent, there had been four months of rumors about Ngannou's next move. On Tuesday, the tournament-based company made its major signing official via The New York Times. Ngannou agreed to a "strategic partnership" that grants him equity and managerial positions in the PFL. Following an anticipated boxing battle in 2023, he intends to make his promotion debut in the middle of 2024. “Let’s just say, all-in my deal with PFL is more than anyone else offered,” Ngannou said. “The past few months have been a very interesting time to understand and see the landscape but I’m very excited about this deal with the PFL because they basically showed what I was expecting. “They didn’t just show up as a promotion that was looking for a fighter, but really came as a partner that sees more value in you as a person.” Ngannou is going to compete in the PFL's "superfight" division, which was created to showcase athletes in high-profile matches, perhaps on pay-per-view, with the winners taking home a larger portion of the money earned from the events. As part of the agreement, Ngannou will also take on the role of chairman of PFL Africa, where the promotion has hopes to grow soon. Ngannou will serve as the athlete's representative on the PFL advisory board. The PFL, one of numerous MMA promoters who made a bid for Ngannou, scored a huge victory with his contract. In response to the heavyweight's contract demands, ONE Championship declared earlier this month that it was withdrawing from the bidding process.

In preparation for his upcoming middleweight debut, UFC veteran Paul Craig is not wasting any time in challenging himself. After losing to Johnny Walker at UFC 283, Craig decided to switch to 185 pounds. On July 22 at UFC London, he'll take on André Muniz just a few short months after his defeat. For the first time in his professional career, Craig will compete at middleweight. He has consistently competed in the light heavyweight category of the UFC, defeating rivals like Shogun Rua and Jamahal Hill. In November 2015, Craig won the BAMMA light heavyweight championship before joining the UFC. Since joining the UFC, he has achieved many victories and losses. Muniz, a formidable middleweight opponent, will test Craig. Before losing to Brendan Allen in February, he went on a nine-fight winning streak that included victories over Ronaldo Souza and Uriah Hall. In the Craig vs. Muniz fight, two of the best grapplers in the UFC square off. If the fight proceeds to the ground, fans should expect an intense battle. Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura's heavyweight fight is the main event of UFC London.

Josh Taylor, a former undisputed junior welterweight world champion, will face Teofimo Lopez on June 10 at the Hulu Theatre in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Taylor has no intention of slowing down. Taylor would give up the WBC, WBA, and IBF crowns as a result of obligatory orders after unifying all four world championships. Around his waist, just the WBO belt is still present. Over a year has passed since Taylor last competed. Taylor defeated Jack Catterall in a contentious twelve-round split decision in his most recent bout. Several attempts to make the rematch with Catterall were unsuccessful, as the date continued to get pushed back for a variety of reasons. The WBO would eventually order Taylor to face Lopez. Taylor explains that he's never been as disciplined as he's been today. "I'm absolutely laser-focused this time," Taylor told Sky Sports. "That's the mistake I made last time, I was losing sight of what was in front of me, dropping the ball in terms of focus and motivation. "Its not an easy task but I'm definitely doing it much better this time. The last time around, I had a lack of discipline, a lack of motivation and that crept into the full performance. I never prepared well and, 'fail to prepare, you prepare to fail'. I almost did fail last time. "A little bit of complacency had crept in from where I had just been, it felt like I had just climbed Mount Everest in becoming undisputed world champion and I went out and enjoyed life a bit too much, ate a bit too much food, drank a little bit too much, had a bit too much pizza. I definitely learned that lesson, I will not be making that mistake again." In 2021, Lopez, a previous unified world champion, was shockingly defeated by George Kambosos. Since then, Lopez has recovered by winning thrice. When they enter the ring, Taylor is eager to make a statement.

Former three division world champion Shane Mosley is very pleased with the work ethic of Youtube star turned boxer, Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs). Paul worked with Mosley in the early designs of his pro boxing run. Following his pro debut in January 2020, Paul would then start using retired boxer BJ Flores as head trainer. Earlier this year, Paul suffered his first career defeat when he was outboxed over eight rounds by unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Tommy Fury. Following that loss, Paul decided to make some changes to his team and reunited with Mosley for his next fight. Paul is scheduled to face MMA veteran Nate Diaz on August 5th. "I was one of the first trainers when he first fought AnEson Gib in Miami," Mosley told The DAZN Boxing Show. "I thought that when he came to training, 'wow this kid is really trying to be a fighter, he really wants to do this'. I heard about him a little bit through my kids, and we stopped by his house in Hollywood. "He said he really likes boxing, we just showed up to his house and if you like boxing you know who I am. We started talking, I thought he was a really bright guy, he was about 21-years-old. I said you like boxing, you need to give me a call I have a gym and I can show you how to be a real fighter. Not just a YouTuber playing around, how to be a real fighter. "I think I convinced him, I showed him how to be a professional fighter and I would have him go down the street to spar with real fighters. I had him in a real boxing environment, BJ Flores was my assistant. I thought BJ Flores at the time should be able to train him on the level of the YouTubers he was fighting."

The stage is set for a potential clash of legends as Conor McGregor gears up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. The charismatic Irishman has vowed to break Matt Brown's UFC knockout record, a feat that has caught the attention of the seasoned veteran. While McGregor's focus remains on his upcoming bout with Michael Chandler, the prospect of him battling Matt Brown has ignited the imagination of fight fans worldwide. After a two-year hiatus, Conor McGregor is set to make his much-anticipated comeback to the UFC. His first hurdle will be Michael Chandler, a former lightweight title challenger and his opposing coach in the upcoming season of "The Ultimate Fighter." As fans eagerly await this clash of titans, McGregor has already set his sights on a new target: Matt Brown's knockout record. Matt Brown, the 42-year-old veteran, recently made waves in the UFC by tying Derrick Lewis' record for the most knockouts in the promotion's history. Brown’s emphatic first-round finish of Court McGee at UFC Charlotte solidified his place in the annals of UFC history. With 13 knockouts to his name, Brown's achievement has undoubtedly caught the attention of fighters across divisions. Not one to shy away from lofty ambitions, McGregor wasted no time in expressing his interest in surpassing Brown's record. Taking to Twitter in the early hours after Brown's record-tying win, McGregor exuded confidence in his ability to make this feat a reality. While a potential showdown between the two fighters seems unlikely at the moment, the idea of witnessing the chaos unfold inside the Octagon has ignited the imaginations of fight enthusiasts worldwide. In the aftermath of his record-tying victory, Matt Brown expressed his desire to break the tie and become the sole record holder for the most knockouts in UFC history. However, at the age of 42, Brown recognizes the limitations that come with his veteran status. Nonetheless, his relentless spirit and hunger for success serve as a testament to his unwavering determination inside the cage. “I want to (break the record), yeah,” Brown said (via FanSided). “We’ll see. Everyone’s been asking when I’ll get back in there, but I need to go back home and see how the injuries heal up and got some other people getting ready for fights, so I’ll be helping them up. “But I’ll start thinking about it in the next couple of weeks and see how I feel. At my age and life and everything, it just comes down to injuries. I’ll be there till I’m 50 if I wasn’t injured.” As the MMA world eagerly awaits McGregor's return, the question remains: Can Ireland's greatest star come close to breaking Matt Brown's knockout record? While McGregor possesses unrivaled striking prowess and has delivered memorable knockouts throughout his career, the road to surpassing Brown's record will not be an easy one.