MMA

12:11 PM ET The Professional Fighters League has announced its raised $65 million in new financing, approximately two months ahead of its 2021 season. In a released statement, the mixed martial arts league said the funds will “accelerate PFL’s momentum, innovation, and growth as it builds off its strong foundation as the No. 2 company

1:58 PM ET UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad is stepping in to face Leon Edwards in a five-round main event at UFC Fight Night on March 13, multiple sources told ESPN. Muhammad is replacing Edwards’ original opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, who was forced to withdraw from the bout last week due to lingering effects from COVID-19. The

8:04 PM ET Former UFC fighter Bryan Caraway has been charged with four felonies in a 2018 case involving the alleged theft of an all-terrain vehicle belonging to his ex-girlfriend, former UFC champion Miesha Tate. Caraway was charged with fraud, first-degree attempted theft, filing a false insurance claim and making a false statement on a

8:24 PM ET Fresh off his third UFC welterweight title defense last weekend, Kamaru Usman is keen on booking his next bout against Jorge Masvidal — and has already discussed the idea with UFC president Dana White. Usman (18-1) told ESPN on Wednesday he believes he has earned the right to pick his next opponent,

10:21 AM ET Jeff Wagenheim Editor’s note: This has been updated since originally running in on Nov. 25, 2020 Curtis Blaydes has won four fights in a row, two of them by knockout and the other two by thoroughly dominant beatdown. During an MMA career that spans 17 pro bouts over 6½ years, he has

Feb 15, 2021 Casey O’Neill may be Australia’s latest MMA prospect, but she will carry a little bit of Scottish and Thai pride, too, when she makes her UFC debut in a featherweight bout against Shana Dobson in Las Vegas this weekend (5 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+). O’Neill’s journey is typical of those who graduate

7:33 AM ET When UFC president Dana White mentions a possible matchup, it creates a domino effect of speculation that leaves fans, media and even fighters trying to weave through the various scenarios. After Khamzat Chimaev had to pull out of his March 13 fight with Leon Edwards because of lingering effects from COVID-19, White

Jan 26, 2021 Kamaru Usman put on a star-making performance at UFC 258. His third-round TKO of former teammate Gilbert Burns was a rollercoaster ride that, after an uphill climb forced upon Usman early, gained heart-pumping momentum and shined a bright spotlight on the welterweight champ. Not only did Usman retain his belt in Saturday’s

1:55 AM ET Kamaru Usman accomplished much on Saturday night at UFC 258. He won his 13th straight UFC welterweight fight, which broke Georges St-Pierre‘s record for most wins in a row at 170. He also tied the great Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second-most wins in a row to start a UFC career. And he’s

11:19 AM ET UFC 258 included the expected from welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and strong performances from both women in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber. It also included one of the most surprising results in recent memory as Anthony Hernandez defeated Rodolfo Vieira, a seven-time submission grappling world champion, by submission. The

12:59 AM ET Kamaru Usman defeated Gilbert Burns by TKO in the third round to retain his UFC welterweight championship Saturday night in the main event of UFC 258 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The stoppage came at 34 seconds of the round. Usman, who was briefly stunned by a Burns right hand

6:37 PM ET The UFC’s highly anticipated welterweight matchup between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev on March 13 is off. Again. UFC president Dana White told ESPN on Thursday that Chimaev was forced to withdraw from the bout due to lingering physical effects caused by COVID-19. This is the third time the bout has fallen

5:40 PM ET The UFC 258 card has taken another hit, this time just hours before the first bout was set to begin. A scheduled fight between women’s flyweight prospects Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick in Las Vegas was canceled Saturday afternoon after Robertson suffered an illness, according to the UFC. The illness was not

6:46 AM ET It’s one of the most intriguing prefight storylines in combat sports. Teammate versus teammate. Friends turned foes. In MMA, there’s a pretty common stance on teammates fighting each other: They typically refuse to do it — unless a championship belt is at stake. Well, there will be a belt on the line

12:51 PM ET Two former teammates will clash for the UFC welterweight title. And now that bout is official. Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns both weighed in successfully Friday morning for their UFC 258 main event. Usman weighed 170 pounds and Burns also was at 170. Usman will defend his welterweight belt against Burns on

3:06 PM ET The first heavyweight fight of Jon Jones‘ storied MMA career will have a UFC championship on the line. UFC president Dana White told TMZ this week that Jones (26-1) will face the winner of a heavyweight title fight between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, which is scheduled to headline UFC 260 on

6:55 AM ET IT WAS SEPTEMBER 2020, and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman raised some eyebrows as he entered the Sanford MMA gym in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It was his first visit since he changed teams in the spring. There was talk of Usman defending his title in December against former training partner and current

9:18 PM ET UFC president Dana White is refusing to throw in the towel on Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s retirement, even though the undefeated champion continues to state he’ll never fight again. Speaking to ESPN on Thursday, White said he has a meeting scheduled with Nurmagomedov at the end of the month in Las Vegas. Regardless of