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USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC champ Ilia Topuria: Arman Tsarukyan 'much easier' fight than Paddy Pimblett
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria completely downplayed Arman Tsarukyan as a challenge. Out of the top lightweight contenders, many pundits believe Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is the sternest test to new champion Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who insists that's not the case, and sees Paddy Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) as a bigger challenge. Topuria took aim at Tsarukyan for withdrawing from his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev just one day before UFC 311 due to a back injury. "Tsarukyan is the easiest (fight) of them all, he's much easier than Paddy," Topuria said in a recent press conference (h/t Championship Rounds). "Much easier. I don't even know what to call him. Imagine having the opportunity to fight for the world title, and when the day comes, you pull out because your back hurts. I can't conceive it, I can't even understand it. I would have fought without an arm, I don't care. ... Clearly, mentally you aren't where you need to be." Tsarukyan put asterisks on Topuria's recent dominant run, which includes three-straight knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Although Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Pimblett were all in attendance for Topuria's title-winning performance, it was Pimblett who got to face off with "El Matador." "He's just had easy fights in his career," Tsarukyan told ESPN MMA of Topuria. "He beat legit fighters, but not in their prime. If he met Volkanovski five years ago, Volkanovski would just eat him, but now Volkanovski is old. His chin is not there anymore."
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria: Justin Gaethje fight 'not going to be something exciting for the fans'
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is not interested in fighting Justin Gaethje next. Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is on an incredible run having knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant 155-pound title in Saturday's UFC 317 main event. He faced off with Paddy Pimblett in the octagon immediately after the fight, but isn't convinced that "The Baddy" is up for the challenge. "The eyes never lie: He doesn't want to fight me," Topuria told ESPN MMA of Pimblett. "I swear to God, he doesn't want to fight me. I saw the fear in his eyes. The eyes never lie. When we brought him inside the octagon, he was scared. I'm telling you. He was like, 'What the f*ck am I doing here? Why didn't I go to school, to university? Why didn't I choose something different?'" For Topuria, Pimblett makes the most sense for his first title defense. He dismissed Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) as a potential next opponent – despite Gaethje threatening to retire if he doesn't get his shot. "I don't think we have anyone else in the division. Fighting against Justin Gaethje, I don't think that's going to be something exciting for the fans," Topuria said. "We need new blood in the division. We need new faces, new guys that come hungrier than the guys that we are used to seeing in the past like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, or the other guys. I want to bring new faces to the game."
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tom Aspinall addresses potential Alex Pereira heavyweight title bout
Now that Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, he needs an opponent to defend against. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) sparked rumors of his interest in fighting Alex Pereira when he was captured staring down the former light heavyweight champion while he was in the prep point for his UFC 300 bout against Jamahal Hill. Aspinall assured that he was just showing interest in human body language, and not necessarily sizing up Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) before a potential fight. "I've seen the pictures when I'm like staring at him," Aspinall told ESPN MMA. "If you watch me at any event, I'll stand and stare at the flyweights like that. Not because I'm trying to intimidate them, because I really enjoy studying people's psychology before the fight. I just like watching the body language, what they're doing, how they're behaving and stuff. Maybe I'll learn something, who knows? I might learn something from someone else. I'm constantly studying the way people are acting, because it interests me." While Aspinall's staredown may not have been fight-related, Pereira has entertained the idea of a move up to the heavyweight division. Should that move happen in pursuit of a UFC title in a third weight class, "Poatan" could cross paths with the heavyweight champ. Aspinall isn't against the idea, but he doesn't see it happening just yet, because Pereira has unfinished business with the man who took his title, Magomed Ankalaev. "I don't know, he's got business to do at light heavy," Aspinall said. "He's just lost his title in a tough fight. I think that Ankalaev remains to be a tough matchup for him. Let's see if he gets through the next one. "In my opinion, Magomed Ankalaev doesn't get enough respect. Like, the guy has run through everybody. He just beat a long-standing champion and he should be given respect in his own right for being a champion. It's a tough fight for Alex, definitely a fight Alex can win. We've seen him, how powerful he is and stuff. I think as far as his move up to heavyweight, I think – I'm only speaking as if I was in his position, I'd want to get that one back first." The interest in seeing "Poatan" move up to heavyweight is partially due to the lack of big names currently residing in the heavyweight division. Aspinall agrees the state of the division has been stronger in prior years, but believes it will bounce back in due time. "It's been better, but it can get better for sure," Aspinall said. "I think that when we're talking about the Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos days, Brock Lesnar involved and all that kind of people – Fabricio Werdum and etc., etc. That's when it was at its peak. Now it's not got as many big names involved, but that's there to be changed. There's plenty of good guys there. I think that in the next few years we're going to see some really good fights with the heavyweights."
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How the commentary lineup could shape fan buzz for the Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira main event
How the commentary lineup could shape fan buzz for the Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira main event (Image Source: Getty Images) Officials from the Ultimate Fighting Championship have finalised an upgraded broadcast team structure for UFC 317, featuring Ilia Topuria against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday. This is their most competitive commentary team that many believe they have seen in 2025, with Jon Anik serving as the lead on the play-by-play call alongside the greatest of all time, Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. The team choosing this strategy of broadcasting also indicates the significance of the main event on International Fight Week, as Topuria will attempt to win his second divisional title after relinquishing the featherweight championship in February. Jon Anik and Joe Rogan lead the premium commentary configuration The choice of having Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier in the same event is the Ultimate Fighting Championship's way of ensuring that the fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira is presented with optimum production quality. The preparation and statistical expertise of Jon Anik set the perfect stage for Joe Rogan to deliver his technical analysis and Daniel Cormier to offer his championship-level analysis. This three-man team has made some of the most memorable calls in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, such as several title fights during 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Megan Olivi will be the in-house reporter during the evening, interviewing fighters and generally reporting behind the scenes. She has the experience of covering high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship events, and this makes her invaluable in giving the emotional intensity behind the lightweight debut of Ilia Topuria and the championship redemption journey that Charles Oliveira seeks. The broadcast team is also composed of Brendan Fitzgerald at the analysis desk, aided by the former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, and former title challengers Chael Sonnen and Anthony Smith. Ilia Topuria says Islam Makhachev ran away, predicts KO vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 | ESPN MMA International Fight Week demands elevated broadcast standards The improvement of the broadcast team of Ultimate Fighting Championship is directly linked to the prestige of the International Fight Week, as well as the legacy of the possible two-division champion Ilia Topuria. It will also include a flyweight title defence by Alexandre Pantoja against Kai Kara-France in the co-main event, which would make the atmosphere a double-championship affair, and thus would require premium commentary coverage. Charles Oliveira is coming into the fight to reclaim his lightweight title in the wake of his prior title reign between 2021 and 2022, introducing elements of the story that can only be handled by experienced broadcast professionals. The primary card will start at 10:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN+ pay-per-view, and the prelims will take place earlier in the evening. UFC has smartly placed this event as the main event of International Fight Week, which features Ultimate Fighting Championship BJJ series finals, Hall of Fame induction ceremony and official weigh-ins on Friday. Also Read: Could Tom Aspinall have been the reason behind Jon Jones' early retirement? The shakeup of the broadcast team to provide the coverage of UFC 317 highlights Ultimate Fighting Championship understanding that the match between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira is potentially a watershed moment in the history of the lightweight division and that there is nothing that could be done to cover all the crucial moments of this title fight except their best commentating team. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 69 video: Malcolm Wellmaker moves to 10-0 with faceplant KO of Kris Moutinho
UFC on ESPN 69 video: Malcolm Wellmaker moves to 10-0 with faceplant KO of Kris Moutinho Malcolm Wellmaker gave the Atlanta crowd what it wanted at UFC on ESPN 69 with a devastating one-punch knockout of Kris Moutinho. Georgia native Wellmaker (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) continued to add to his hype as a bantamweight prospect to watch with an absolutely perfect right hook that put Moutinho (14-7 MMA, 0-3 UFC) out on impact and sent him face planted into the canvas at the 2:37 mark of Round 1 at State Farm Arena. The crowd was electric for the finish, and Wellmaker celebrated rightfully after a vicious knockout. Check out the replay of Wellmaker's big win below (via Instagram and X): MALCOLM WELLMAKER PUT HIM TO SLEEP 🤯 #UFCAtlanta — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 15, 2025 After the fight, an ecstatic Wellmaker made it known that he will continue to be a problem for anyone at 135 pounds. "I believe I have the power to put any bantamweight out, even one known for having a chin like Kris Moutinho," Wellmaker said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. "I've got power. You can't play with it, man." Up-to-the-minute UFC Atlanta results:
