https://www.scmp.com/rss/506572/feed John Hyon Ko is a South Korea-based combat sports reporter that covers many of the major organisations around the world. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Jonathan Haggerty is now a world champion in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. The British bantamweight won Muay Thai gold with a stunning knockout of Nong-O Hama earlier this year, and in the main event of Saturday’s ONE Fight Night 16 card in Bangkok, claimed the promotion’s vacant bantamweight kickboxing belt with a win over MMA champion... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3240319/one-championship-fight-night-16-live-results-and-highlights-haggerty-and-andrade-battle-kickboxing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3240319/one-championship-fight-night-16-live-results-and-highlights-haggerty-and-andrade-battle-kickboxing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Nov 2023 23:00:47 +0000 All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. On the back of a dramatic return to Singapore, ONE Championship made a quick turnaround and got back to action at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. There were two titles on the line on Saturday morning at ONE Fight Night 15, with an interim featherweight MMA champion being crowned in the main event. ONE: fans question Tawanchai win,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3237138/one-championship-fight-night-15-results-updates-and-highlights-thanh-le-faces-ilya-freymanov?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3237138/one-championship-fight-night-15-results-updates-and-highlights-thanh-le-faces-ilya-freymanov?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Oct 2023 22:59:25 +0000 All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong continued his war of words with K-1, taking another swipe at the Japanese kickboxing promotion on Saturday in Singapore. Chatri caused a stir late last month by shooting down the possibility of co-promoting an event with K-1, saying “it’s a tiny organisation and the level is very low”. His comments... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/kickboxing/article/3236554/one-championship-chatri-hits-back-k-1-after-takeru-jibe-i-dont-pay-any-attention-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/kickboxing/article/3236554/one-championship-chatri-hits-back-k-1-after-takeru-jibe-i-dont-pay-any-attention-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:29:35 +0000 All martial arts content – including ONE Championship coverage – has been made freely available. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Stamp Fairtex finished Ham Seo-hee with a body-shot KO in the third round of their ONE Championship clash in Singapore, to become the promotion’s new undisputed atomweight MMA queen. It was upgraded from an interim belt after Angela Lee confirmed her retirement from fighting, before the ONE Fight Night 14 main event at Singapore Indoor... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236358/one-championship-fight-night-14-live-results-updates-and-highlights-stamp-fairtex-faces-ham-seo-hee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236358/one-championship-fight-night-14-live-results-updates-and-highlights-stamp-fairtex-faces-ham-seo-hee?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:03:26 +0000 Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has made a huge sacrifice ahead of her bid for a second Muay Thai title at this Saturday’s ONE Championship Fight Night 14 event in Singapore. The Thailand-based Brazilian, who holds ONE’s atomweight Muay Thai title, is set to challenge Smilla Sundell for the promotion’s strawweight belt in the card’s co-main event. It is an opportunity that required her to miss her son’s second birthday. “I came with a lot of motivation, as you can see, because today is my son’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236209/one-championship-fight-night-14-allycia-rodrigues-breaks-down-tears-after-missing-sons-birthday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236209/one-championship-fight-night-14-allycia-rodrigues-breaks-down-tears-after-missing-sons-birthday?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Sep 2023 02:42:06 +0000 Thursday night’s ONE Championship Fight Night 14 weight and hydration checks were full of drama, with Stamp Fairtex getting an early scare, and Xiong Jingnan ultimately missing her mark. The 26-year-old Thai Stamp, who is set to fight South Korea’s Ham Seo-hee for ONE’s interim atomweight MMA title in the main event of the Saturday morning event in Singapore, was one of the final fighters on the testing stage inside the host Copthorne King’s Hotel. She passed her first hydration test, but then... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236191/one-championship-fight-night-14-weigh-ins-stamp-fairtex-survives-scare-xiong-jingnan-misses-mark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3236191/one-championship-fight-night-14-weigh-ins-stamp-fairtex-survives-scare-xiong-jingnan-misses-mark?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:16:32 +0000 Not content with being a “gatekeeper” in ONE Championship, Agilan Thani is on the hunt for a contender after shutting down another prospect. After suffering the worst slump of his career, the 28-year-old Malaysian is riding high again off back-to-back victories. The former welterweight title challenger has competed against the top of the division since his professional debut in 2015 for ONE, and he is targeting Roberto Soldic for his return to the spotlight. “Robocop” needs a win over a big name... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3232664/one-championship-agilan-thani-open-roberto-soldic-fight-i-think-they-will-try-feed-me-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3232664/one-championship-agilan-thani-open-roberto-soldic-fight-i-think-they-will-try-feed-me-him?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:51:56 +0000 ONE Championship atomweight Muay Thai queen Allycia Rodrigues is thrilled to have been called out by promotional newcomer Phetjeeja Ormeekhun – a woman she has long considered her “idol”. Phetjeeja earned a US$100,000 ONE Championship main roster contract in May after dismantling back-to-back opponents on ONE Friday Fight cards. “The Queen” made a quick turnaround and competed on June’s ONE Fight Night 12 card against Lara Fernandez, winning via 26-second TKO. Immediately after her win at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/muay-thai/article/3232138/one-championship-allycia-rodrigues-sees-next-title-defence-against-idol-phetjeeja-after-smilla?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/muay-thai/article/3232138/one-championship-allycia-rodrigues-sees-next-title-defence-against-idol-phetjeeja-after-smilla?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2023 06:50:49 +0000 ONE Championship bantamweight MMA champ Fabricio Andrade is open to another super fight after facing Jonathan Haggerty for the vacant bantamweight kickboxing title – if the stars align. The Singapore-based promotion has been putting together a myriad of big matchups across multiple martial arts in recent months, and Andrade would welcome Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmookao with open arms were they ever to move up to bantamweight and want to compete at championship level. Both men have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/kickboxing/article/3231829/one-championship-fabricio-andrade-down-welcome-rodtang-superlek-bantamweight-after-jonathan-haggerty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/kickboxing/article/3231829/one-championship-fabricio-andrade-down-welcome-rodtang-superlek-bantamweight-after-jonathan-haggerty?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:08:08 +0000 The famed Tiger Muay Thai tryouts are back after a three-year absence – and the reward on offer is bigger than ever, with two fighters set to receive US$100,000 ONE Championship contracts. There will be two winners selected from this year’s tryouts, which got under way this week – one for MMA, and one for Muay Thai, with both also receiving scholarships at the Phuket-based gym. The winners will get a one-year visa to stay in Thailand and represent Tiger Muay Thai, with paid accommodation and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3224755/tiger-muay-thai-tryouts-are-back-and-offering-us100000-one-championship-contracts-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3224755/tiger-muay-thai-tryouts-are-back-and-offering-us100000-one-championship-contracts-week?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:45:10 +0000 ONE Championship returned to action on Saturday morning at Bangkok’s famed Lumpinee Stadium for another stacked card, and there were several stunning finishes – not least from Superbon Singha Mawynn. Two title bouts headlined ONE Fight Night 11 in Thailand, with Regian Eersel up in the main event now as he defended hi8s lightweight Muay Thai title in incredible fashion against Russian newcomer Dmitry Menshikov. The Dutch-Surinamese fighter needed just 46 seconds to stop former Glory standout... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3223625/one-championship-fight-night-11-live-results-and-highlights-superbon-returns-two-title-bouts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3223625/one-championship-fight-night-11-live-results-and-highlights-superbon-returns-two-title-bouts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jun 2023 23:04:40 +0000 It was a night of high drama at Thursday’s ONE Championship weigh-ins, as Superbon passed hydration with seconds to go in Bangkok, Thailand. The former featherweight kickboxing champ hit his mark on his third attempt, and promptly made weight to make his title eliminator with Tayfun Ozcan official. Martine Michieletto and Nieky Holzken were not so fortunate, with both failing late hydration attempts as the clock ticked down. Ambet Kitchen passed hydration at a similarly late juncture, but was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3223440/one-championship-live-weigh-hydration-test-results-fight-night-11-athletes-step-scales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3223440/one-championship-live-weigh-hydration-test-results-fight-night-11-athletes-step-scales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:56:22 +0000 Dan Hooker has everything to gain heading into this short-notice clash at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi this weekend, against a fighter many are touting as the second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Every sports book under the Las Vegas sun has Hooker (21-10) as a heavy underdog versus Islam Makhachev (20-1) – but that’s a spot in which “The Hangman” thrives. “I think it’s great. I don’t want to say anything that’s going to change that betting line too much. The boys are going to make some money,” Hooker... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3153755/ufc-267-dan-hooker-happy-be-huge-betting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3153755/ufc-267-dan-hooker-happy-be-huge-betting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:50:16 +0000 Israel Adesanya may have returned to rule the middleweight division, but Jan UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz thinks they will cross paths again down the road. The 38-year-old Pole (28-8) made his first successful title defence in Las Vegas seven months ago against the previously-undefeated Adesanya (21-1), solidifying himself as one of the pound-for-pound best in the world. “The Last Stylebender” quickly bounced back with a comfortable decision over Marvin Vettori at 185 pounds in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3152991/ufc-267-jan-blachowicz-sees-israel-adesanya?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3152991/ufc-267-jan-blachowicz-sees-israel-adesanya?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Oct 2021 06:33:28 +0000 After seeing his ONE Championship heavyweight title shot slip away, Kang Ji-won is eyeing up the next best thing – taking out the former king, Brandon Vera. Kang (5-0) made it back-to-back wins in ONE with a statement knockout of Iranian debutant Amir Aliakbari on March’s Fists of Fury II card in Singapore, but suffered a torn retina in the process. The 26-year-old South Korean has sat idle since, undergoing multiple surgeries and focusing on rehabilitation, but is now fully recovered and back... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3152173/one-championship-kang-ji-won-calls-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3152173/one-championship-kang-ji-won-calls-out?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Oct 2021 02:00:24 +0000 Ok Rae-yoon shocked the MMA world when he beat Christian Lee by unanimous decision last month to claim the ONE Championship lightweight title. But the South Korean’s victory in Singapore – which was upheld after a formal review by the Asian martial arts promotion – was all the more remarkable given he fractured his left orbital during a first-round exchange, an injury that hindered his vision for the rest of the night. “Christian Lee was on my back and hit me with a light knee,” Ok (16-3) told... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3151824/one-championship-ok-rae-yoon-was-seeing-two?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3151824/one-championship-ok-rae-yoon-was-seeing-two?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Oct 2021 07:06:15 +0000 Kim Jae-woong has insisted the fundamentals of fighting will be the downfall of former two division champion Martin Nguyen. South Korea’s Kim (11-4) is set to face off against Vietnamese-Australian powerhouse Nguyen (13-4) at ONE Championship: Revolution on September 24 in Singapore. The pair were set to fight in April but Covid safety protocols threw a wrench into those plans at the eleventh hour – twice. The much-anticipated featherweight bout is finally about to go down – barring any more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3148119/one-championship-fighting-god-kim-jae-woong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3148119/one-championship-fighting-god-kim-jae-woong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Sep 2021 06:57:31 +0000 Dan Hooker avoided inactivity by taking a fight the UFC was not keen on putting together. The No 8-ranked New Zealander (20-10) had looked up and down the lightweight rankings to find a dance partner, but to no avail. Eventually, the matchmakers landed on the unranked Nasrat Haqparast (13-3) and got the deal done for UFC 266 on September 25 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After consecutive defeats by Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, many expected “The Hangman” to fight another established... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3147147/ufc-dan-hooker-reveals-retirement-plan-become?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3147147/ufc-dan-hooker-reveals-retirement-plan-become?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Sep 2021 07:05:12 +0000 Ham Seo-hee does not believe Denice Zamboanga is as dangerous as everyone insists. ONE Championship’s all-female Empower card is set to take place on September 3 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and Ham (23-8) will face No 1 contender Zamboanga (8-0) in the quarter-finals of the atomweight grand prix, a clash being heralded as the most anticipated match-up of the tournament. Even though the undefeated Filipino 24-year-old has impressed in the Asian promotion, South Korean UFC and Rizin veteran... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3147055/one-championship-ham-seo-hee-says-denice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3147055/one-championship-ham-seo-hee-says-denice?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:41:49 +0000 Hong Kong’s Sasha Palatnikov is looking to reintroduce himself to the MMA masses. Palatnikov (6-3) will enter the Octagon for the third time this Saturday night (US time) in the preliminary card opener at UFC Vegas 34 against Fortis MMA’s Ramiz Brahimaj (8-3). The 32-year-old welterweight striker insisted he has learned from the mistakes made in his second bout, a submission by former middleweight prospect Impa Kasanganay, and is excited to show his potential once again. “I don’t see any areas... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3145431/ufc-hong-kongs-sasha-palatnikov-hoping-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3145431/ufc-hong-kongs-sasha-palatnikov-hoping-get?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Aug 2021 02:00:15 +0000 Zhang Weili may have lost the UFC strawweight title to Rose Namajunas, but Dan Hardy is adamant she still has the power to shock Valentina Shevchenko. Zhang (21-2) suffered a first-round TKO at UFC 261 last April in Jacksonville, Florida, with the promotion reportedly “leaning towards” an immediate rematch with the American “Thug”. Whatever happens next, a potential move up to flyweight to challenge some of the top contenders, and even the surging champion Shevchenko, remains on the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3145426/ufc-dan-hardy-thinks-zhang-weili-could-still?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3145426/ufc-dan-hardy-thinks-zhang-weili-could-still?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Aug 2021 03:56:31 +0000 Despite purists praying for their downfall, Jake and Logan Paul have taken the combat sports world by storm, the brothers from Ohio turning themselves from YouTube sensations to boxing’s elephants in the room. While Logan Paul lasted all eight rounds with Floyd Mayweather Jnr – whom many consider the greatest boxer of all time – in an exhibition match in June, Jake Paul extended his undefeated professional record by knocking out Nate Robinson and Ben Askren with relative ease in his last two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3144670/rashad-evans-thinks-anderson-silva-will-bury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3144670/rashad-evans-thinks-anderson-silva-will-bury?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:00:06 +0000 The return of Dan Hardy is inching closer by the day – but in cage Muay Thai, not MMA, and in Asian promotion ONE Championship. “The Outlaw” (25-10, one no contest) was medically cleared to compete again by doctors in 2017, four years after his last outing in the UFC, having been diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. But the 39-year-old Nottingham native would serve solely on commentary duties during the rest of his time with the US promotion, insisting he was not being offered the type... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3143965/one-championship-dan-hardy-john-wayne-parr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3143965/one-championship-dan-hardy-john-wayne-parr?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Aug 2021 10:21:01 +0000 After years away from competitive fighting, Rashad Evans may finally have a date for his comeback. The 41-year-old UFC Hall of Famer announced in late June he is coming out of retirement, but not inside the cage – his management team has been actively pursuing matchups in the world of boxing. Former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs and Evans’ fellow former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson have been talking up a blockbuster fight, and are now putting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3143776/ufc-hall-famer-rashad-evans-down-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3143776/ufc-hall-famer-rashad-evans-down-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:00:38 +0000 Cynthia Calvillo said all she needed to on social media to set up her next opponent in the Octagon. “Closed mouths don’t get fed,” wrote the Mexican-American star, who opportunistically ran into No 1-ranked flyweight Jessica Andrade (21-9) at an Invicta FC event in May. She took a photo of them facing off, sent it to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, and the rest is history. Now they are set to clash on September 25 inside the T-Mobile Arena at UFC 266, which is headlined by a featherweight title... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141205/ufc-cynthia-calvillo-plans-showcase-ninja?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141205/ufc-cynthia-calvillo-plans-showcase-ninja?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:42:29 +0000 Conor McGregor might just have put himself in a must-win situation against Dustin Poirier, says UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald. The first double champ in promotional history, McGregor (22-5) has only one win since November 2016. But the Irish icon will step back into the Octagon at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for this weekend’s UFC 264 headliner to try to exact revenge after Poirier (27-6) knocked him out in January in Abu Dhabi. It’s potentially the biggest fight of the year when it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140121/ufc-264-conor-mcgregor-has-lot-more-stake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140121/ufc-264-conor-mcgregor-has-lot-more-stake?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jul 2021 03:50:09 +0000 Rafael Fiziev is having a difficult time finding another opponent. After suffering his first professional loss in his UFC debut against Magomed Mustafaev in early 2019, the 28-year-old Kyrgyzstani has put together a violent three-fight win streak. He’s earned fight-night bonuses in his last two outings, including a devastating knockout of Renato Moicano at UFC 256 that put the lightweight division on notice. But six and a half months have passed without a match-up, and Fiziev went on a mission... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140029/rafael-fiziev-targets-ufc-265-return-says-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140029/rafael-fiziev-targets-ufc-265-return-says-he?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:39:18 +0000 Gilbert Burns is expecting a return to No 1 contender status if he takes out Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 264. The 34-year-old Brazilian (19-4) steps back into the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 10 against American karate specialist Stephen Thompson (16-4-1). The welterweight showdown will serve as the co-main event to Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier’s high-profile trilogy bout, and Burns knows an eye-catching finish with the world watching could land him another... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3138289/ufc-gilbert-burns-thinks-leon-edwards-missed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3138289/ufc-gilbert-burns-thinks-leon-edwards-missed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:22:09 +0000 Choi Doo-ho has promised a resurgence after four years of trials and tribulations – and plans to go all the way to the top of the featherweight division. “The Korean Superboy” (14-4) – one of South Korea’s most exciting fighters – will make his long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon on July 31 in Las Vegas against Danny Chavez (11-4) in a clash that is likely to produce fireworks.  “My opponent is an explosive striker so I think there’ll be another explosive fight,” Choi told SCMP MMA. “But I’m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137466/ufcs-korean-superboy-hell-bent-resurgence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137466/ufcs-korean-superboy-hell-bent-resurgence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jun 2021 05:23:58 +0000 Ramona Pascual is finally returning to action – halfway across the globe. Booking fights has proved difficult for Hong Kong’s Pascual (4-2) since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, with the UFC’s China Academy alumni making the move to Las Vegas from the Shanghai Performance Institute this year to pursue more opportunities. The 32-year-old featherweight prospect has taken a short-notice offer and will go south of the border to Mexico to compete at iKon Fighting Federation 7 on June 11,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3136571/hong-kong-mma-fighter-ramona-pascual-returns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3136571/hong-kong-mma-fighter-ramona-pascual-returns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jun 2021 02:11:06 +0000 Jairzinho Rozenstruik has redemption on his mind. Suriname’s “Bigi Boy” (11-2) was unanimously swept on the judge’s scorecards by Ciryl Gane last time out in February’s UFC Vegas 20 headliner, his momentum for a title push halted again. The 33-year-old heavyweight enters his third headlining spot against Augusto Sakai (15-2-1) on Saturday night at the UFC Apex. Although the Brazilian lacks the high-profile name like some of his previous opponents, Rozenstruik is not taking the match-up... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3135853/ufc-vegas-28-jairzinho-rozenstruik-vows-erase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3135853/ufc-vegas-28-jairzinho-rozenstruik-vows-erase?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jun 2021 03:50:41 +0000 Yan Xiaonan has made it clear she is not a fan of Rose Namajunas’ political talk. The 28-year-old Lithuanian-American used the phrase “better dead than red” leading up to her strawweight title shot against Zhang Weili at UFC 261, invoking a popular Cold War slogan that became a focal point of the build-up to her first-round head kick KO victory in Jacksonville, Florida. And Chinese No 3-ranked contender Yan (13-1, one no contest), who returns in a potential title eliminator against former champ... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3134460/ufc-yan-xiaonan-didnt-rose-namajunas-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3134460/ufc-yan-xiaonan-didnt-rose-namajunas-better?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 May 2021 01:30:30 +0000 It’s fair to say when the UFC announced Alex Volkanovski and Brian Ortega would be the stars of The Ultimate Fighter’s big return to television screens, many fans were underwhelmed. Before season 29 of TUF was officially confirmed, there was speculation bitter rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal might be picked as rival coaches because of their history, and the high possibility for drama unfolding. But UFC featherweight champ Volkanovski has said things are heating up between him and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3133887/ufc-alex-volkanovski-says-hes-had-words-brian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3133887/ufc-alex-volkanovski-says-hes-had-words-brian?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 May 2021 07:49:33 +0000 Joshua Fabia has not made many friends since he entered the MMA space. Many well-known figures are blaming the School of Self Awareness founder for mishandling Diego Sanchez’s career – in the past week, UFC president Dana White and former champions Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping have all slammed Fabia. The 39-year-old “Nightmare” Sanchez released a video, which has since been deleted, on his personal Instagram account, showing a production meeting with the UFC commentating team on Fight Island... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3132188/ufc-commentator-brendan-fitzgerald-sheds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3132188/ufc-commentator-brendan-fitzgerald-sheds?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 May 2021 06:51:32 +0000 The Pettis siblings are re-establishing their name outside the UFC.  The 34-year-old Anthony Pettis and his younger brother Sergio left the Las Vegas-based organisation on their own terms for greener pastures and have found lucrative new homes in the PFL and Bellator, respectively.  Although some may feel the pair may not have departed the UFC of their own volition, “Showtime” insisted they were calculated moves.  “I sent my brother out of the UFC because of the deal Bellator gave him [in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3130834/pfl-anthony-pettis-says-household-will-have?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3130834/pfl-anthony-pettis-says-household-will-have?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:07:20 +0000 Zhang Weili’s team have dismissed Rose Namajunas’ controversial “better dead than red” comments leading into their UFC 261 title fight on April 24. The last week has been a media firestorm for the 28-year-old Namajunas (9-4), the Lithuanian-American receiving criticism for her perceived attacks towards UFC strawweight champion Zhang (21-1) while denouncing communism. The Chinese superstar and her team have been in Florida at an undisclosed location putting on the finishing touches to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129958/ufc-261-zhang-weili-not-paying-attention-rose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129958/ufc-261-zhang-weili-not-paying-attention-rose?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Apr 2021 06:35:30 +0000 Frank Mir has noticed a growing trend in the UFC. After Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor in their UFC 257 rematch in Abu Dhabi, Khabib Nurmagomedov officially retired six weeks later and vacated the 155-pound crown. “The Diamond” turned down a chance to become the undisputed title-holder to face the Irishman for a third time this summer, with Michael Chandler to fight Charles Oliveira for the belt at UFC 262. The match-up could generate Poirier the biggest pay cheque of his entire... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129950/ufc-dustin-poirier-knows-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129950/ufc-dustin-poirier-knows-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Apr 2021 05:05:39 +0000 Everyone is expecting chaos when Beneil Dariush and Tony Ferguson step into the Octagon next month and Dariush has a plan that just might be unorthodox enough to work.  “I’ve been joking about this,” the No 9-ranked lightweight contender told SCMP MMA. “But I’ll tell you the same thing I told everybody else. The goal is to out-crazy Tony, so let’s see how that goes.” Dariush faces the former interim lightweight champion at UFC 262 in Houston next month in front of a live audience, in a match-up... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3128344/ufc-beneil-dariush-plans-out-crazy-tony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3128344/ufc-beneil-dariush-plans-out-crazy-tony?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Apr 2021 06:55:56 +0000 Dan Hooker is “itching” to get back in the UFC Octagon – ideally against Justin Gaethje, or Rafael dos Anjos. The 31-year-old Kiwi (20-10) is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Michael Chandler last January at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. Understandably frustrated, “The Hangman” needed time to build himself back up.  “After a loss like that, of course, it’s disheartening,” Hooker told SCMP MMA. “That burning flame gets kinda extinguished for a bit and it goes back down to an ember. But the ember... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3128338/ufc-dan-hooker-feels-it-will-be-very?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3128338/ufc-dan-hooker-feels-it-will-be-very?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Apr 2021 06:02:56 +0000 Meng Bo will be one of the eight women lighting up ONE Championship’s atomweight grand prix quarter-finals next month. But it could all have been so different. She secured a first-round TKO on her promotional debut in November 2019, but the 24-year-old Bo (17-5) had been in a dark place a few years before, when she lost three of four fights in a seven-month span in 2017. Frustrated and confused, the Chinese contender – famed as the only woman to beat UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili – almost... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127158/one-championships-meng-bo-reveals-she-almost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127158/one-championships-meng-bo-reveals-she-almost?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Mar 2021 09:37:07 +0000 Jan Blachowicz will delay his move up to heavyweight – unless the UFC comes with a deal he cannot refuse. After winning the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 253 last September in Abu Dhabi via second-round knockout over Dominick Reyes, Blachowicz (27-8) has been continuously fielding questions about chasing Jon Jones up a division. This weekend at UFC 259 in Las Vegas, the “Prince of Cieszyn” defends his title for the first time against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The picture is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124246/ufc-259-jan-blachowicz-open-quick-heavyweight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124246/ufc-259-jan-blachowicz-open-quick-heavyweight?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Mar 2021 08:59:31 +0000 Jairzinho Rozenstruik is geared up to “kill the hype” surrounding heavyweight up-and-comer Ciryl Gane. No 3-ranked “Bigi Boy” (11-1) returns to fight undefeated 30-year-old Frenchman Gane (7-0) in the UFC Vegas 20 main event in Las Vegas on February 27. The 32-year-old Suriname native has been sitting on the sidelines since August’s TKO of former champ Junior dos Santos, waiting for another title contender to be available. But Rozenstruik will now risk it all against the surging seventh-ranked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3122761/ufc-jairzinho-rozenstruik-plans-kill-hype?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3122761/ufc-jairzinho-rozenstruik-plans-kill-hype?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:44:56 +0000 Light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is envisioning knocking out Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 – with an early head kick. Blachowicz (27-8) is set to defend his crown for the first time on March 6 in the Las Vegas headliner, against the organisation’s middleweight champ and newest superstar, in what is the highest-profile opportunity of his career. However, the 37-year-old Pole heads into this potentially life-altering moment just as he did his previous bouts. “I don’t focus on [Adesanya], I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3122131/ufc-259-jan-blachowicz-envisions-early-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3122131/ufc-259-jan-blachowicz-envisions-early-head?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Feb 2021 02:25:16 +0000 Aljamain Sterling is in for the hardest night of his life at UFC 259, according to Petr Yan’s boxing coach John Hutchinson. UFC bantamweight champion Yan (15-1) will be making his first title defence against No 1-ranked contender Sterling (19-3) in Las Vegas on March 6. After their original December 12 date was cancelled because of travel restrictions and Covid-19-related issues, Yan and his team made the decision to move their training camp to southern Florida at American Top Team, to limit the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3121887/ufc-259-petr-yans-coach-says-aljamain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3121887/ufc-259-petr-yans-coach-says-aljamain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:06:43 +0000 Paige VanZant is not stepping away from martial arts. After fighting out her contract with the UFC in 2020 and testing the market in free agency, the American starlet signed a lucrative four-bout deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and pushed MMA to the side for the foreseeable future. Getting involved in the most brutal version of combat sports, many could mistakenly label the 26-year-old VanZant a “prizefighter” rather than a martial artist. “I see myself 100 per cent as a martial... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120597/paige-vanzant-still-martial-artist-100-cent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120597/paige-vanzant-still-martial-artist-100-cent?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Feb 2021 14:28:04 +0000 Manel Kape is teeming with confidence heading into his long-awaited UFC debut – and with good reason. The 27-year-old Kape (15-4) served as the backup for the flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1-1) and Brandon Moreno (18-5-2) that headlined UFC 256 in Las Vegas last month. “Star Boy” comfortably made weight and stood by, but despite not getting the call to step in on short notice, the Angolan-Portuguese star was able to size up the competition. “They look small,” Kape told... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116943/ufc-manel-kape-taunts-flyweight-champ?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116943/ufc-manel-kape-taunts-flyweight-champ?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:08:36 +0000 Dan Hooker is driven to spoil the party at UFC 257. After weeks of negotiation, UFC lightweight contender Hooker (20-9) has finally put pen to paper and will fight former Bellator champion Michael Chandler (21-5) in the co-main event on January 23 in Abu Dhabi. The 34-year-old American Chandler played backup for the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje on Fight Island at UFC 254 in October, which exhibited his high standing despite only signing with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116626/ufc-dan-hooker-michael-chandler-fight-im?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116626/ufc-dan-hooker-michael-chandler-fight-im?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Jan 2021 08:04:13 +0000 Alex Volkanovski plans to make history repeat itself in his next title defence. UFC featherweight king Volkanovski (22-1) is looking to put his belt on the line as early as March against No 1 contender Brian Ortega (15-1), though a date has not been officially announced, nor any contracts signed. The match-up has many talking, after Ortega’s impressive outing against “The Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung in October. But the 32-year-old Australian champ has vowed to emulate former 145-pound king Max... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116451/ufc-alex-volkanovski-vows-break-brian-ortega?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116451/ufc-alex-volkanovski-vows-break-brian-ortega?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Jan 2021 04:10:21 +0000 UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski thinks Henry Cejudo will be back in the Octagon in 2021. The 33-year-old Cejudo (16-2) last competed at UFC 249 where he dismantled Dominick Cruz to successfully defend the bantamweight title. In the post-fight interview while speaking with Joe Rogan in the centre of the cage, “Triple C” surprisingly announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. Since then, the former dual division title-holder has kept himself in the headlines with social media... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116262/ufc-alex-volkanovski-predicts-henry-cejudo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116262/ufc-alex-volkanovski-predicts-henry-cejudo?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Jan 2021 14:23:10 +0000 Alex Volkanovski is ready to get back into action and defend his crown in early 2021 – but not in February like Dana White initially proposed. UFC featherweight champ Volkanovski (22-1) was successful in his first title defence last July against Max Holloway at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Waiting for the division to shake out, the Australian sat back while Brian Ortega (15-1, one no contest) outclassed “The Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung (16-6) last October making him the clear-cut No 1 contender. A... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116239/ufc-alex-volkanovski-wants-three-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116239/ufc-alex-volkanovski-wants-three-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Jan 2021 07:25:43 +0000