Latest news with #UFC
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Conor McGregor returning to UFC? The Notorious teased training and testing pool video ahead of White House card
Conor McGregor. Image via:Fans of Conor McGregor can now breathe a sigh of relief as The Notorious himself teased his return to the UFC ahead of the highly anticipated White House event. In a series of Instagram stories, McGregor teased his return, sharing training videos, photos, and a glimpse of his UFC testing pool. While his fight card upon his return is yet to be decided, McGregor's return would be huge, as fans have not seen him fight since July 2021. Conor McGregor teased his grand UFC return Conor McGregor shared a training video on Instagram with a caption that reads, "@sonnench we different baby, tell em' embrace us! Tell them love us. And NOW! They'll miss us when we gone that's a damn fact. Get the graft in if you're a grafter fight game COS I AM BACK! Mac's back!" Conor McGregor Instagram stories. Image via: thenotoriousmma/Instagram McGregor may finally be plotting his long-awaited return to the UFC, and he's setting his sights on one of the most historic stages ever imagined for a mixed martial arts event: the White House lawn. After multiple false starts and extended time away from the Octagon, McGregor has reportedly re-entered the UFC's anti-doping testing pool— potentially lining himself up for the promotion's highly anticipated White House card set for July 4, 2026. In one story, McGregor shared, 'Blood tester on my yacht.' The next caption reads, 'Blood from shoulder.' In another photo, he held the container of his urine, writing, 'I piss excellence.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Al-qtamyah: Unsold Sofas May Be at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Conor McGregor is eying White House fight card McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Though he briefly rejoined the UFC anti-doping program in 2023 in anticipation of a fight with Michael Chandler, a toe injury derailed those plans. His drug testing record shows 11 tests in 2024 but none so far in 2025, suggesting he again stepped away from testing earlier this year. But according to David Feldman, president of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and a close associate of McGregor, the Irishman has re-entered the pool. 'He told me in person,' Feldman shared on The MMA Hour. 'He whispered in my ear, he said, 'I'm in the testing pool.' He said, 'I'm getting ready to make my comeback. I'm going to fight on that big card and then I'm going to have another fight and then we can talk.'' McGregor himself confirmed the move. 'They're testing me,' he told The Schmo during a BKFC press event in Florida. 'I'm in the pool… Oval Office. White House card.' The buzz centers around former President Donald Trump's plan to host a UFC supercard on July 4, 2026, to mark America's 250th birthday. Trump has maintained a close relationship with UFC President Dana White and has attended numerous fights in recent years. Also Read: UFC commentator Joe Rogan slams violent medieval sport Calcio Storico still celebrated in Florence FAQs Has Conor McGregor officially re-entered the UFC anti-doping pool? Yes, according to both McGregor and BKFC president David Feldman. When is the potential UFC White House card expected? The event is being planned for July 4, 2026. Did McGregor confirm his intention to fight on that card? Yes, he stated, 'Get ready and stay ready because damage will be done. Oval office. White House card.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for July: Costello van Steenis stuns Johnny Eblen
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from July 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month award for July. At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice. Nominee: Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny at PFL Europe 2 Movsar Ibragimov kept his undefeated career record alive when he choked Gerardo Fanny with a rare technique in their PFL bantamweight showdown. Ibragimov (7-0) took advantage of Fanny failing to let go from bottom position and clamped on a Von Flue choke that, after a brief struggle, led to the tap. Nominee: Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC on ESPN 70 Valter Walker made history when he finished Kennedy Nzechukwu with his third consecutive heel hook finish. Walker's (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) now trademark move landed early again, because he managed to make Nzechukwu (14-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) tap just 54 seconds into Round 1 of the heavyweight bout. Nominee: Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey at UFC 318 For all the UFC middleweights who thought they just had to worry about Brunno Ferreira in the standup game, the Brazilian may have made their prep work a little more difficult after taking out Jackson McVey. Ferreira (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) submitted short-notice replacement UFC newcomer McVey (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a nasty armbar at the 3:35 mark of the first round, showing diversity to his finishing attacks. Nominee: Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio at UFC 318 Jimmy Crute is back in the win column for the first time since 2020 – and he reentered in style against Marcin Prachnko. Crute (13-4-2 MMA, 5-4-2 UFC) submitted Marcin Prachnio (17-9 MMA, 4-7 UFC) with an armbar at the 4:32 mark of Round 1 in the light heavyweight bout. He had to struggle to get it, but eventually Prachnio could not fend off the technique and had to give up. The winner: Costello van Steenis def. Johnny Eblen at PFL Africa If he does nothing else, Costello van Steenis will always be remembered for his insane comeback against Johnny Eblen to claim the PFL middleweight title. Not only did he become PFL middleweight champion, van Steenis (17-3) did so in improbable fashion when he submitted Eblen (16-1) with nine seconds left in their five-round bout. The stoppage came at 4:51 of Round 5. Eblen had utilized his strong wrestling base and relentless pressure to largely dominate van Steenis the entire fight prior to his demise. Entering Round 5, Eblen was up 39-37 on two judges' scorecards with a third having the fight tied 38-38. Eblen got the fight down to the ground midway through Round 5 and took van Steenis' back. With approximately 45 seconds left on the clock, Eblen made a fatal mistake and fell off the top. Van Steenis slickly flipped the script, got Eblen's back, locked in a rear-naked choke, and put Eblen to sleep. Cast Your Vote! This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month, July 2025: Costello van Steenis
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for July: Costello van Steenis stuns Johnny Eblen
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from July 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month award for July. At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice. Nominee: Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny at PFL Europe 2 Movsar Ibragimov kept his undefeated career record alive when he choked Gerardo Fanny with a rare technique in their PFL bantamweight showdown. Ibragimov (7-0) took advantage of Fanny failing to let go from bottom position and clamped on a Von Flue choke that, after a brief struggle, led to the tap. Nominee: Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC on ESPN 70 Valter Walker made history when he finished Kennedy Nzechukwu with his third consecutive heel hook finish. Walker's (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) now trademark move landed early again, because he managed to make Nzechukwu (14-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) tap just 54 seconds into Round 1 of the heavyweight bout. Nominee: Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey at UFC 318 For all the UFC middleweights who thought they just had to worry about Brunno Ferreira in the standup game, the Brazilian may have made their prep work a little more difficult after taking out Jackson McVey. Ferreira (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) submitted short-notice replacement UFC newcomer McVey (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a nasty armbar at the 3:35 mark of the first round, showing diversity to his finishing attacks. Nominee: Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio at UFC 318 Jimmy Crute is back in the win column for the first time since 2020 – and he reentered in style against Marcin Prachnko. Crute (13-4-2 MMA, 5-4-2 UFC) submitted Marcin Prachnio (17-9 MMA, 4-7 UFC) with an armbar at the 4:32 mark of Round 1 in the light heavyweight bout. He had to struggle to get it, but eventually Prachnio could not fend off the technique and had to give up. The winner: Costello van Steenis def. Johnny Eblen at PFL Africa If he does nothing else, Costello van Steenis will always be remembered for his insane comeback against Johnny Eblen to claim the PFL middleweight title. Not only did he become PFL middleweight champion, van Steenis (17-3) did so in improbable fashion when he submitted Eblen (16-1) with nine seconds left in their five-round bout. The stoppage came at 4:51 of Round 5. Eblen had utilized his strong wrestling base and relentless pressure to largely dominate van Steenis the entire fight prior to his demise. Entering Round 5, Eblen was up 39-37 on two judges' scorecards with a third having the fight tied 38-38. Eblen got the fight down to the ground midway through Round 5 and took van Steenis' back. With approximately 45 seconds left on the clock, Eblen made a fatal mistake and fell off the top. Van Steenis slickly flipped the script, got Eblen's back, locked in a rear-naked choke, and put Eblen to sleep. Cast Your Vote!
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Carlos Ulberg to headline UFC Perth
Ulberg was last in action against former champion Jan Blachowicz, earning a unanimous decision victory in London in March. Photo: photosport It appears to be third time lucky for Carlos Ulberg as his path to UFC gold heads through Perth. The Auckland mixed martial artist will headline UFC Perth against former title challenger Dominick Reyes, a fight which has been booked and cancelled twice. Riding an eight fight win streak since his one and only defeat on UFC debut, Ulberg has been awarded his first main event, against a man no stranger to that spotlight. Reyes famously took Jon Jones to a decision in 2020, many arguing he did enough to dethrone the former light heavyweight king. The American went on to suffer another three consecutive defeats all by knockout before rediscovering his form with three wins on the bounce, again all by knockout. Ulberg was last in action against former champion Jan Blachowicz, earning a unanimous decision victory in London in March. The win saw his rise to third in the light heavyweight rankings, with Reyes four spots back in eight. Fellow kiwis on the card include UFC debutant Michelle Montague and rising light heavyweight Navajo Stirling. UFC Fight Night Perth September 28 RAC Arena Carlos Ulberg v Dominick Reyes - Light heavyweight Navajo Stirling v Rodolfo Bellato - Light heavyweight Michelle Montague v Luana Carolina - Bantamweight Colby Thicknesse v Josias Musasa - Bantamweight Dooho Choi v Daniel Santos - Featherweight Loma Lookboonmee v Alexia Thainara - Strawweight
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
UFC commentator Joe Rogan slams violent medieval sport Calcio Storico still celebrated in Florence
UFC commentator Joe Rogan slams violent medieval sport Calcio Storico still celebrated in Florence (Image via Getty) Joe Rogan recently talked about a strange old sport called calcio storico. He sounded very confused. He said it looks like a mix of rugby and MMA, with a ball and a lot of fighting. He asked why there is a ball at all, since players beat each other up on the field. This is still played today in Europe, especially in Italy, and it surprised him a lot. Joe Rogan questions violent medieval sport Calcio Storico on podcast Joe Rogan spoke on his podcast episode #2356 with guest Mike Vecchione when he learned about calcio storico. He asked, 'Have you ever seen that game? I think it's called calcio storico… It's like rugby and MMA. They play in Italy and some other places.' Joe Rogan said, 'They get together as teams… I don't know what the deal is with the ball, they beat the piss out of each other… animals.' He described wrestling, takedowns, bodyslams, elbows to the face and called it 'absolute mayhem.' He still could not understand why a ball would be used in such a violent game. Calcio Storico 2025 final in Florence shows brutal mix of rugby and MMA Calcio storico is an old game from Florence, Italy. It began in the 1500s and returned as a yearly event in the 1930s. Today, three matches are held each June in Piazza Santa Croce. The semi-finals take place in mid‑June, usually June 14 and 15 in 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dolly Parton, 79, Takes off Her Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words The Noodle Box Undo The final is played on June 24, Florence's feast day for Saint John the Baptist. There are four groups of 27 local players, each representing a historical section of the city: Santa Croce (Blues), Santa Maria Novella (Reds), Santo Spirito (Whites), and San Giovanni (Greens). Also Read: Khabib Nurmagomedov Shuts Door On UFC Return With Honest Message About Fight Life Traditional clothing is worn by players who seek to score by throwing or kicking a heavy ball into a goal at the brief sides of the sand pitch. The 50-minute game lets wrestling, head-butts, elbow strikes, and choking. Some strikes are presently prohibited; only one player is allowed to strike. The Reds of Santa Maria Novella crushed the Greens of San Giovanni with a dominating 17 to 4 in the 2025 final on June 24. In Florence, this activity is still a major medieval custom that attracts sizable local crowds. Calcio storico is not widely played beyond Italy. But it remains a dramatic, violent, and centuries-old tradition. Joe Rogan's surprise shows how rare this mix of ball game and combat looks to outsiders. FAQs What is Calcio Storico? It's a 500‑year‑old violent sport in Florence, Italy, that mixes rugby and MMA. When is Calcio Storico played in 2025? The semi‑finals were held in mid‑June and the final took place on June 24 in Florence. Why did Joe Rogan talk about Calcio Storico? He saw how brutal the sport is and said on his podcast he couldn't understand why there's even a ball. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
