MMA news updates

Instead of spamming the boards everytime I see some cool news, I’ll post it here. I’ll also keep track of prospects I like, new signings to ufc/dwcs/Bellator/etc.

* Edited at 05.02.2022, 4:44 PM ET *

I have no idea why the UFC signs Caio Machado after that boring fight and skips on Lazy King.   Baffled

They skipped on lazy king due to the ongoing beef between Ali and Fernand. MMA Factory guys have essentially been blacklisted by the ufc; none have been signed since last year

Sounds like high school drama.  Meanwhile - Machado will go 0-2 likely against guys like Waldo Acosta and Josh Parisian and get cut whereas Lazy King could have made a decent mark.  sighhh

This doesn’t bode well for the future of mma factory and the ufc either. Guys like Baki or the younousov brothers are gonna be affected by this too. Really hope they can come to some truce 

 France is the most unfortunate country in terms of signing prospect for the UFC. There are a lot of top tough guys there, not to mention the king of all prospects, Salahdine Parnasse, which UFC needs

@Dmitriev 

@Dmitriev 

I assume KSW is paying Parnasse very well so I wouldn’t expect to see him in the UFC anytime soon.

@Lbbaker21 

This is very logical. At one time, I remember Petr Yan, they also tried to throw big money in Russia in ACA, but he took a chance and became a champion, even if the story ended quickly
If Parnasse doesn't try, I think he will regret it

If parnasse does try to go to ufc, I don’t think it will be for at least 3 years. Ksw definitely paying him a bag and we know when you’re locked into those contracts, you don’t just sign to the ufc

* Edited at 08.10.2023, 11:31 AM ET *

Feels like the UFC is really missing out on expanding into Europe or just being reallyyy slow. They have Topuria, Khamzat, Vettori, Jiri, Blachowicz, Abus, Hermansson, Rakic, Ozedemir, Garry and more who all could headline Fight Nights in their countries, with some even PPVs, its not like the facilities dont exist.
Right now they've only really done it in the UK with Aspinall/Edwards and France with Gane and even there its pretty half-assed, like they are just doing the bare minimum and not signing some top talents. Meanwhile CW, Ares, Brave, Oktagon, KSW, NFC, PFL Europe are growing larger (and also offering fair ticket prices) and you can say that MMA is really growing fast here, if you ask me. UFC should start getting serious about this whole getting out of the Apex thing and put on regular shows here and offer the top talents fair deals to get them onboard, they would even take minor paycuts for sure.
Wont work like with Latam or WMMA to offer them minimum deals, since they are already being payed better here.
 Also dont know the full Ali-Fernand situation, seems the have a serious ground with Slim's contract, but feels like its evolved a petty beef now and I dont know why the UFC is following Ali's lead on this.

* Edited at 08.10.2023, 12:06 PM ET *

The basharat bros have both been booked 

Farid vs KR ufc Paris - KR to 135 

Javid vs Victor Henry sept 23

Javid vs Henry is a banger

@AndersonGold 

well stated!!! 100% agree.  There are so many opportunities to gain fans.  Nobody cares about the Apex.  Fight nights in Europe should be more regular.

Even if they can’t go to Europe more the least they could do is go back to fight island. I loved those cards because they could bring in endless amounts of international talent. If they are really that lazy at least change up locations to showcase more talent 

Kevin holland said he’s fighting soon in Vegas. I believe his opponent is JDM. The reason is, Bendaman on Twitter (connected source to many AUS fighters) said ufc couldn’t get an opponent for JDM at 293 (no non-Aussies want to fight there because Sydney tax rate is even worse than New York) and the plan was to have him fight in Vegas in the interim. Holland is ranked now so it has to be a ranked fighter so why not jdm

Jair farias vs Connor matthews week 10 dwcs. Really satisfying that my guess was correct. This also likely means Ruffy will be fighting Raheam forest week 9

If that is the case that would mean the season would be complete then and it would make sense overall.
The only thing confusing me is that Raheam Forest isnt added to the Fight Pass Roster yet and they usually only add you if you have a matchup and then both get added at the same time, while Ruffy is already added.

* Edited at 08.10.2023, 2:52 PM ET *

Yeah I noticed that but Raheam was confirmed on by the Cffc president so we know he’s on the season regardless. Ruffy was confirmed on week 10 but with zenidim getting a fight on the last week and now matthews vs farias set, there is no other possible option unless one guy is injured 

Fernand Lopez is now a matchmaker for pfl europe. This marks the end of mma factory fighters ever going to the ufc

Top Kyrgz prospect Edil Esengulov has signed with paradigm management. Pretty unfortunate considering he just signed to enter ACA’s Grand Prix, but should he ever leave he has a solid chance of joining the ufc 

this mma factory situation is honestly so unfortunate. really hope something changes down the line