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15+ min ago (595+ words) Dec 17, 2025 | 12:16 AM EST The Contender Series is designed to open a world of possibilities for MMA fighters, particularly providing a fast track to the UFC. But for one heavyweight hopeful, the spotlight didn't fade with his last loss. Instead, the real story began in the drug testing pool, shedding light on issues such as oversight and how quickly momentum can disappear in this sport. Competing out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Darion Abbey, who commands a pro record of 7-5, missed the UFC contract in his latest DWCS appearance by a long shot after his opponent, Donte Johnson, KO'ed him a minute into the first round. This would not have been the end of it for his UFC dreams, but for the latest drug testing incident. On Tuesday, Darion Abbey received a nine-month suspension from the NSAC after his drug test came…...

18+ min ago (391+ words) Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing three months after moving up to super middleweight and defeating Canelo Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium. The first boxing match at Allegiant Stadium might be the last in the storied career of undefeated star Terence Crawford. "The gloves may have come off, but legacy is forever. History is never retired." It was reportedly watched by more than 40 million on Netflix, as Crawford became the first male fighter to hold all the world titles at three weight classes in his career. Crawford is currently the No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound boxer in the world, according to The Ring Magazine. "I'm stepping away from competition. Not because I'm done fighting, but because I've won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms. This isn't goodbye, it's just the end of one…...

36+ min ago (266+ words) Veteran MMA fighter Geronimo dos Santos was found dead in a river in Brazil this week after he went missing while going for a swim in the Rio Negro in the Amazon. Dos Santos vanished after he went for a swim in the river near S'o Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil, on Friday, and local reports indicated that the ex-fighter was found trapped under rocks near the riverbed. The municipality of S'o Gabriel da Cachoeira confirmed dos Santos" death in a post on social media. "In this moment of grief, we express our deepest condolences to all family and friends," a statement read. "May God grant them strength and comfort to overcome this great loss." Dos Santos, known as "Mondragon," last competed in April, fighting and knocking out former UFC heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik in a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship match, and…...

1+ hour, 17+ min ago (716+ words) Dec 16, 2025 | 11:15 PM EST What happens when a champion decides to step away for non-medical reasons? While there is sympathy for the Spanish-Georgian's personal situation, there's also the pressure to keep the division running. Somewhere in the middle, the rules have become relevant again. At least in the eyes of one UFC legend. The idea came up during a conversation on Ariel Helwani's show, when he asked if the Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett fight should become a battle for the undisputed title if 'El Matador' is unable to return soon. Chael Sonnen's response did not come from instinct. It came from something he heard behind the scenes. "I was at the Apex a week ago," Sonnen stated. "I had a conversation with a very meaningful person in this industry. That was the first person that ever suggested to me that…...

1+ hour, 23+ min ago (327+ words) Tom Aspinall unleashed on Ciryl Gane after the former interim UFC heavyweight champion claimed he was still awaiting word on when he might be scheduled to compete again. Of course the first encounter between these two ended in disappointing fashion after Gane poked Aspinall in the eyes during the opening round in the UFC 321 main event. The foul was deemed unintentional by the referee but the eye poke left Aspinall unable to see and the fight was declared a no-contest after the stoppage. That drew a fiery response from Aspinall, who has stated publicly that he's still dealing with the aftermath of the eye pokes, which is now leading him to surgery to repair the damage done. "No shit there's not a date yet," Aspinall wrote in Gane's comments on Instagram. "I'm not medically cleared to fight and about to…...

1+ hour, 25+ min ago (613+ words) Home " MMA News " Yod-IQ " Yod-IQ gets rematch against Alexey Balyko at ONE Friday Fights" Elbrus Osmanov's injury opened a door for Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri. The Thai striker will now get his chance at redemption. Osmanov withdrew from his scheduled bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Friday, December 19, inside Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. Yod-IQ moves up to featherweight to face Alexey Balyko, the only man to beat him in the weekly series. Their first meeting went down at ONE Friday Fights 33 back in September 2023. Balyko caught Yod-IQ with a thunderous left hook in the second round that sent him crashing to the canvas. The Russian cruised to a unanimous decision victory. It looked like a career-altering setback for the Thai phenom at the time. But Yod-IQ refused to let that moment define him. He returned two months later against…...

1+ hour, 36+ min ago (274+ words) At UFC 321, Tom Aspinall suffered a brutal eye injury. Recently, Ciryl Gane's latest training update on Instagram triggered Aspinall as he reacted to the post furiously. Tom Aspinall's ongoing injury woes have spilled into the public eye after the UFC heavyweight contender fired back angrily at Ciryl Gane following the Frenchman's recent training update on Instagram. What began as a routine post from Gane turned into a heated exchange that drew attention from fans online. Gane shared a message stating that there was still no confirmed date or opponent for his next fight. He continued by stating that he is training hard and preparing for whatever comes next. He wrote: "Still no date or opponent yet" but we keep grinding and training hard before the holidays." Aspinall revealed that doctors have not medically cleared him yet and that he will…...

2+ hour, 14+ min ago (673+ words) Dec 16, 2025 | 10:18 PM EST The UFC and the NFL have had numerous surface-level links over the years. Fighters discuss football. Football stars make an appearance at the cageside. On Netflix, Dana White praises dynasties. However, this time, the overlap did not stem from business or fandom. It comes from family. The moment caught people off guard since it sounded almost too casual to be questioned. During a stream conversation, Tom Brady mentioned a name that immediately sparked interest in combat sports circles. No buildup, nor teasing. Just a claim that, if accurate, would connect the most famous quarterback of all time to one of the UFC's most powerful behind-the-scenes figures. Tom Brady didn't hedge his words or portray it as a distant relation. He was clear when he made the big reveal: "My cousin, Sean Shelby, has worked for the UFC…...

2+ hour, 32+ min ago (146+ words) Wellness entrepreneur Tricia Yap is helping reshape women's health by focusing on areas like precision training and lifestyle medicine The first time Tricia Yap was hit hard in the face, she did more than survive " she strategised. She was not in a dark alley, nor a playground fight. She was in a white-collar boxing event in Hong Kong that, together with the months of training beforehand, was supposed to be a lighthearted distraction from her job as a tax technology consultant. For Yap, who was around 30 when she took part in that first charity fight and was at a crossroads in her life, the adrenaline, intensity and strategic puzzle of combat were an awakening. "It can be quite hard to make decisions if you're getting hit in the face constantly," the 43-year-old laughs today, recalling the paradox of combat sports....

3+ hour, 1+ min ago (389+ words) With ESPN set to lose broadcast rights for the UFC at the end of the year, longtime analyst Chael Sonnen announced his contract with the network is also coming to an end. During an appearance on'The Ariel Helwani Show with his former ESPN co-host, Sonnen expressed disappointment that his time at the Worldwide Leader was finishing up. The former professional MMA fighter also appeared uncertain as to his future commentating on UFC cards, saying he was not sure of Paramount's plans when the company takes over broadcasts starting on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. "I don't know if Paramount is even bringing in a crew," Sonnen said, indicating the UFC could stay in-house for studio coverage going forward. "I don't quite know, from a production standpoint, how that all works or what that means to me." Paramount took over UFC rights…...