/Sports/MMA/ Last Updated: Wed, Feb 12th, 2025 @ 10:00pm EST

MMAjunkie

Mike Bohn

Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen defend Sean Strickland from 'crazy' backlash after UFC 312

LAS VEGAS – While many people in the MMA community trip over each other to get a negative word in about Sean Strickland following his title-fight loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, two prominent voices in the space are going the other way.

During their media session ahead of filming “The Ultimate Fighter 33” reality series, UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen came to the defense of Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) amid a ruthless stream of backlash from fans, fighters,...

MMAjunkie

Nolan King

Youssef Zalal sees Pikachu parallels ahead of Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 251

LAS VEGAS – Youssef Zalal appreciates where he’s at. Just like many others, he’s baffled by what he’s been able to accomplish in the past 12 months.

One year ago, Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) wasn’t on the UFC roster. Saturday, he co-headlines UFC Fight Night 251 vs. perennial contender Calvin Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC).

“We should write a book about that,” Zalal told reporters including MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “That’s how crazy this is. To be...

Sherdog.com

Sean Strickland Says Eric Nicksick Likely Won’t Be in Corner After Public Critique

Eric Nicksick’s very public critique of Sean Strickland could have consequences for the Xtreme Couture coach.

MMAjunkie

Simon Samano

Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen propose intriguing assistant coaches fight to conclude 'TUF 33'

LAS VEGAS – Aside from a few exceptions (Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler comes to mind), it’s long been tradition that opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter” fight each other at the end of their season.

With retired UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen filling those roles on “TUF 33” this year, it’ll be another season of the show that doesn’t culminate with a coaches fight. But Cormier and Sonnen believe they’ve figured out an alternative that might...

MMAjunkie

Mike Bohn

Sean Strickland: Eric Nicksick 'probably' done cornering me after criticism of UFC 312 loss

Sean Strickland was irked by coach Eric Nicksick’s public criticism of his performance in this past Saturday’s UFC 312 title-fight rematch with Dricus Du Plessis.

Nicksick, the head coach at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, has been the chief cornerman to Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) during his rise up to the middleweight division and into his championship victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023. He helped guide Strickland to the top again for a rematch with Du Plessis...

Sherdog.com

Flyweight, Welterweight Cast Announced for 'The Ultimate Fighter 33'

The cast for the 33rd season of “The Ultimate Fighter” is now official.

MMAjunkie

MMA Junkie Staff

Video: Cold, hard truth about Sean Strickland's UFC 312 title shot

How’s this for an “overreaction”? Sean Strickland should’ve never gotten a title rematch at UFC 312 in the first place.

Heading into UFC 312, Strickland was adamant about being robbed in his first title fight with Dricus Du Plessis and vowed to “fight to the death.” But when it came time to put his money where his mouth is, Strickland fought tentatively and fell completely flat as Du Plessis battered him, en route to a dominant unanimous decision win. Strickland’s performance...

MMAjunkie

Mike Bohn

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev shifted from Seattle to UFC 313 in Las Vegas

Curtis Blaydes will have to wait a few extra weeks for his attempt to rebound from an interim title fight loss to Tom Aspinall.

The heavyweight matchup between Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and octagon newcomer Rizvan Kuniev, which was originally scheduled to take place at UFC Fight Night 252 on Feb. 22 in Seattle, has now been shifted to UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie of the change on Wednesday, but the exact reason for the change in...

Sherdog.com

Josh Emmett Returns from Hiatus, Meets Lerone Murphy in UFC Headliner on April 5

A featherweight clash pitting Josh Emmett against Lerone Murphy is expected to headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s event on April 5.

UFC News

By Thomas Gerbasi, on X: @thomasgerbasi

Hard Work Paying Dividends For Youssef Zalal

Featherweight Carries A Winning Streak And Momentum Into Biggest Fight Of Career This Saturday

Read the Full Article Here

MMAjunkie

Farah Hannoun

Henry Cejudo believes UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis beats Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev

Henry Cejudo backs UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis to take out two dominant fighters.

Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) retained his middleweight title by defeating Sean Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) a second time in Saturday’s UFC 312 main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Du Plessis plans on fighting Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) next, then move up to challenge UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who defends his title against Magomed...

MMAjunkie

Mike Bohn

Josh Emmett returns vs. Lerone Murphy in UFC Fight Night main event in April

Josh Emmett has emerged after more than a year hiatus and is expected to face unbeaten featherweight contender Lerone Murphy in a UFC main event in April.

Emmett (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who hasn’t seen action since his all-time knockout of Bryce Mitchell in December 2023, is set to make his return to competition against the surging Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC) in the five-round headliner of UFC Fight Night on April 5, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Broadcast plans for the...

UFC News

By Kevin Schuster, On X: @KevinESchuster

DWCS Spotlight | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Rodrigues

Every Fighter Competing This Saturday Who Started Their UFC Journey On Dana White’s Contender Series, And How They’ve Fared In The Octagon Thus Far

Read the Full Article Here

UFC News

By Thomas Gerbasi, on X: @thomasgerbasi

The Best Version Of Vince Morales

Bantamweight Is Back And Ready To Start Bonus-Hunting Saturday In Las Vegas

Read the Full Article Here

MMAjunkie

Nolan King

'TUF 33' rosters revealed for Daniel Cormier vs. Chael Sonnen season

Eight flyweights and eight welterweights will compete on “The Ultimate Fighter 33” with the same goal in mind: to join the UFC roster.

Wednesday, the promotion revealed the names of the 16 fighters who will compete on the season, which is coached by Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. The cast has an international flair with 10 countries represented.

“TUF 33” filming is currently underway with a season premiere date set for May 27 on ESPN2, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

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