What's up everyone and welcome back to the MMA zone. Today, let's get started with Dana White hints Tom Aspenol could vacate UFC title. Yesterday was one hectic day as we not only had no UFC but also the Ryan Garcia Connor Ben card from Zufa Boxing.
Dana White spoke to the media after the event and man his comments now have people wondering whether Tom Aspenol could soon vacate the heavyweight title. And before we continue, make sure to leave a like on the video to help support the channel. So, what's going on?
We've been constantly covering this heavyweight situation and after Dana's latest comments, it sounds like the UFC plans to get some clarity on Aspenol status very soon. The last major update came from his manager Eddie Hearn, who said Aspenol is back training, but may need additional testing before he can be medically cleared to compete again. One of the biggest stories this past week was Valentina Shvchenko vacating her Flyway title because of a long-term injury, allowing Natalyia Silva and Wang Kong to fight for the vacant belt in the main event of UFC 332.
Following last night's Ryan Garcia Connor Ben fight, Dana was asked whether something similar could happen with Aspenol. Here's what he told the media. >> Valentina Chevchenko just uh vacated her title due to an injury.
She's obviously going to be out for a while. Probably doesn't want to tie up the division. Tom Aspenol next month.
It'll be a year since he last fought. Do you think that he should maybe consider vacating his title or have there been any discussions internally of maybe stripping him until he's ready? Yeah, we'll we'll definitely be talking about that.
And uh you know, it's it's one of those like Valentina doesn't want to tie up the division. Um and and I'm assuming Tom feels the same way. You know, I don't know personally where he is health-wise with everything, but yeah, we should clear that up soon.
>> So, Dana didn't say Aspenol will be stripped, nor did he confirm the UFC will ask him to vacate. However, by comparing Tom's situation to Chevchenko's and saying they'll clear everything up soon, he did leave the door open to the possibility that Tom could be asked to vacate if he remains sidelined. Going back to Shvchenko, her coach said her injuries could take up to 8 months to heal, and that's before starting training camp.
That means we could see her out until sometime in the summer of next year. So, that would be about an 18month plus layoff, which explains why she vacated. As for Aspenol, he's now almost 11 months removed from the eye poke incident.
So realistically, how much longer do you think the UFC gives him before a decision has to be made? It's going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out. And you know, the MMA zone will have you covered with all the latest updates.
Conor McGregor reveals big mistake, plus goes off on Max Holloway. More than a few people question Conor McGregor's decision to start his disastrous rematch with Max Holloway by attempting a jumping kick. Well, as it turns out, McGregor agrees with those folks, although clearly not for the same reasons.
[music] After McGregor trashed his knee while landing from a jumping kick, which led to the fight being called not long after, his decision to start with the technique was scrutinized. The way critics saw it, a guy fighting for the first time in 6 years who is now 38 and has partied a lot and then some should have started the fight with a far riskier technique. Of course, not everyone agreed with that theory, but in a recent interview McGregor did for his Mac Energy company, he acknowledged he made a huge mistake by starting the fight with a jumping kick.
But as you'll see, it's because McGregor claims he noticed the octagon floor was wet before the fight started, but he still led with the kick. Here's the clip. >> I was so calm when my step when I stepped into the octagon and this this this bed of dry ice that had not been there.
What was this? I stepped in the ultimate one is wet. The ultimate one is wet.
And I had this in my head and I said, I don't care what I I'm not even looking. I'm going, that's not that's not true martial arts. Use your brain.
Use your vision. Use your use your mechanics, use your intuition, you know, but maybe more so I was using my intuition there, but it wasn't the way I should have approached it. But I went in, it's a slippy floor.
I start off this is a slippy floor and I'm coming through the air and I'm going to jump through and fly through the truck through the center of the octagon. You know, it is what is what happens. It's the fight.
Just the fight. >> Of course, it's hard to say for certain that if no dry ice had been used, Connor would not have blown out his knee. But it is interesting to hear Connor admit he made a mistake.
And we're also guessing the UFC's dry ice provider may be out of a job as well. During the interview, McGregor also went off on Holloway for how he reacted during the fight when it was clear McGregor had wrecked his knee. Holloway started waving to the referee to stop the fight.
Well, clearly McGregor resents how Holloway handled the situation. Check it out. [laughter] >> Boom.
Right there. >> He backed the whale. Is it my man with the helio?
There's a billion ways to win a fight. So, I wasn't I I tell you what, it wasn't me calling for the finish of the fight. It wasn't me calling to finish it.
If I fight you and you look for the ref, ref, stop the fight. >> Who stops the fight? You know, >> don't stop the fight.
>> I didn't think about it. >> You know what I'm saying? You're the man calling for the fight to be stopped.
The fight has only began. >> It's all good. It's all good.
We do our work. We stay on the track and we get retribution, right? >> And that's it, baby.
God bless. Retribution. Do you understand why McGregor is so upset?
Now, ever since McGregor injured his knee at UFC 329, he's repeatedly said he will fight again and that he plans to come back as soon as possible. So, while talking about a timeline for his return during the Mac Energy interview, McGregor reported that his recovery is going super well. He said, "I'm ahead of the curve.
The swelling is down. I'm off the crutch after 2 or 3 weeks. In fact, I was able to get off the crutch sooner than they had wished.
I'm in a great spot, but the baby needs to gel together. " As you likely know, this isn't the first time McGregor [music] has had to battle back from a knee surgery. He also blew out his knee in his first fight with Max back in 2013.
Yeah, creepy stuff. So, while talking about a timeline for his return, Connor acknowledged that after his first knee surgery, he rushed to get back to training because he wanted to beat George St. Pierre's recovery record of 10 months.
Here was some of what Connor had to say about his first knee rehab and when he expects to be back this time. It takes 9 to 12 months. At 9 months, you'll be cleared, but I was cleared by about 7 months.
I had it in me to be George. George was the welter champion at the time, and I was using that as motivation. I thought, I'll get ahead of him.
He came back in 10 months. I'll come [music] back in nine. So, I was back ready to go by 7 and I started training.
But the knee is not fully formed by then. 9 to 12 months is going to be ample time. So, if you're hoping to see McGregor fight again, then clearly this is all good news.
But really, it still sounds like the earliest we'll see him back in the octagon is next summer. That's assuming, of course, that he and the UFC can come to terms on his next fight. McGregor is down to the final fight of his UFC deal.
And as we covered recently, he has said that he can't wait to be free of the promotion so that he can fight for BKFC. Could that be a bargaining tactic for McGregor to get the UFC to up their price? Maybe.
But don't be surprised if McGregor remains on the shelf a lot longer than he wants as the UFC [music] tries to ink him to a new deal. Ilia Taputoia's team shuts down Dana White's update. There's been a lot of buzz in recent days about Ilia Taputia returning to the cage [music] and that he could be booked for action before 2026 comes to an end.
But based on comments that have come out of Topoodia's camp, it could be a while before we see him back in the octagon. As we've covered, rumors that Topoodio could be preparing for his return started to ramp up due to recent appearances he's made and especially after he released a lengthy essay about his brutal loss to Justin Gage and his future. Then Dana White told Jim Rome the UFC was already looking at Tapudia's next bout.
And after Zufa Boxing Pressor this week, Dana acknowledged they're preparing to offer toya a fight. But recently, Ilia's physical trainer, Jesus Gallo, spoke with Spanish podcaster, Jorge Ebroyia's team, isn't even thinking about his next fight yet. Here's what he had to say.
That's news to me. I don't know what Dana is referring to or what information he's using to make that kind of announcement. Right now, we are focused on starting to train and being able to reestablish a training camp.
At this moment, a return fight is not our focus. Honestly, Ilia really is progressing incredibly well, but we still have not started an actual training [music] camp. We haven't even truly started doing any kind of MMA training yet.
Now, does this mean for certain we won't see Topoody fight again this year? No, not [music] necessarily. But given the beating Topia took against Gaji and how pivotal his next fight will be, [music] would anyone be shocked if he's not planning to fight again until next year?
Further, while Dana has said the UFC is looking at Gajji or Patty Pimplet as Topudia's next fight, as we've covered, it certainly looks like team is solely focused on a [music] rematch with Gajji. Case in point, Ilia's manager, Malikawa, recently responded to Dana's comments about Taputoria's next fight by [music] posting, "We want the get back 1000%. " And as we also reported, Gaji's made it crystal clear he's not fighting again in 2026 due to nagging issues he's had with his hands as a result of bashing toy at UFC Freedom 250.
[music] The question is, will Gaji agree to a rematch with Tapouya? Because to date, he hasn't sounded too interested in giving him one. What do [music] you think?
Armed Serukian worried a loss will never get him a UFC title shot. After spending months in the UFC's doghouse, you could make the case he's still in it. Armed Serukian's keenly aware of how devastating a loss to Mauricio Hufi would be.
Sukian is booked to face Hui at UFC 331, which is going down next Saturday. Since Sirukian has won five straight bouts, and because he's ranked number two in the media lightweight rankings, the expectation is he will finally get tapped for another title shot if he beats Hui. As you surely know, Suruki's road to another title shot has been a long and winding one ever since his late withdrawal from a championship fight with Islam Akachev in January 2025.
And according to Dana White, Arman did some things behind the scenes that made the road that much longer. [music] Well, as UFC 331 approaches, Armen is a huge favorite to defeat Huy on the betting lines. But in a recent interview his team posted on social media, Armen reported he's not looking past Hoofy.
The way Armen sees it, if he loses, he's never getting another title shot. Here's [music] the clip. >> I'm taking Mauricio Rufi as opponent like my title fight.
Every fight for me, it's important. I give all myself in training camp. If I'm going to lose this fight, I'm never going to see title fight.
So that's [music] why I'm super motivated for this fight, super hungry. I've been working so hard for that moment. And uh I never underestimate him, especially his striking.
So, I got to be so smart during the fight because he has a good punch. So, he knocked out a lot of people. But now it's my time.
So, I have a good game plan and uh it's going to work very well. So, I'm not saying that it's going to be easy fight, it's going to be hard fight, but I get the [music] victory. >> Now, given Armen is only 29 years old, you could certainly make the argument that he has more than enough time to get back to a title fight [music] if he does lose at UFC 331.
But given his at times rocky relationship with the UFC, does he have a point? Maybe. Right.
And Alexander Vulcanowski thinks that Armen might have trouble shooting takedowns on Mauricio Hufi and he'll begin to panic during their fight. Here's what Vulk had to say. You don't really want to be caught with with Armen, with anyone, especially if you want to keep it standard.
He's going to try and grab them single legs. All these things are stuff that we're just obviously working planning on on. I think Armon's going to have a hard time finding the easy shots, sort of panicking, being forced to fight a fight he's not comfortable with, trying to shoot.
If they don't come, you're going to start to see some really, really big mistakes from Armon. Or is he going to start shooting more recklessly, getting more tired, and then you start seeing, you know, a big finish coming cuz you're going to see the Arman panic, throw the wrong shots, and then Ruffy starting to land some big shots. Armen has returned to American Top Team in Florida to finish out his training for UFC 331, which will also feature ATT's Aandre Pantosia taking on Joshua [music] Van.
In another video that went up on Armen's social media channels, Pantosia heaped praise on his work ethic and abilities. Check it out. >> It's good.
It's very good to have Arma here in the gym. You know, American Top Team had very hard work all the time. And Arma is one hard works.
Come to the gym, make two, three things every day. push everybody in the gym too. You know, it's very good to have a athlete like Arma around us.
It's going to be a very tough fight for Rof. I I know 100% Armon is one of the best fights of the world. And this fight is going to be very very tough.
>> Do you think at will be celebrating victories for both Armen and Pantosia this weekend? And don't be surprised if you see the live streamer Neon in Armen's corner and during his walk out. Neon recently revealed that Armen will be walking out to his song and he'll [music] be present during the walk out and in his corner.
Here's the clip. >> It is 100% locked in. I will be in Arman Sukian's corner for his fight on the 19th.
He's going to be walking out to She want to hang with an Indian. I'm going to be standing right next to him. It's me, Hamza, and Arman.
We are locked in. It is happening. I just sent in my sizes.
I had the shoes. I had the shirt. the team arm on shirt.
I'm going to be in his corner. All right. I'm going to tell him what to do.
I'm going to tell him left jab, right hook, uh, uppercut, [music] leg kick, wrestle this, take down this. I'm going to be telling what to do. But we're locked in.
I can't stream it obviously cuz UFC is very strict. But, but, but, but you will see me when you're watching the fight. Okay.
>> UFC updates. With Noce UFC officially in the books and UFC 331 Fight Week now underway, let's take a look at some of the latest news from around the UFC. We have to start things off with Michael Paige.
As we all know by now, Dana White has confirmed that the UFC will not be sending Paige a new offer despite MVP previously saying he hoped they would. But it looks like MVP has taken the news in stride. Prior to his victory over Nurultan Rousey Bov at UFC Paris, which was the final fight on his contract, Paige said that he still had unfinished business with the promotion.
But as we already covered, Dana has made it clear that the UFC is no longer in the Michael Paige business. Well, since then, Paige posted the following statement on Instagram. Snakes shed their skin to grow.
Everything that can't grow with them gets left behind. The next chapter begins. Even though Paige's stock has dropped [music] due to some lackluster performances, at the end of the day, it's hard to imagine him not getting picked up by another promotion.
As we [music] also reported, Jake Paul has already signaled MVP Promotions is interested. And after his match with Joseé Delgado last night, Jean Silva revealed that he was knocked out a couple times during training. But this fight ultimately went exactly how he had rehearsed it.
Jean [music] said, "I do have to admit it to you guys. I actually was knocked out a couple times in training. I had a major knockout when I was there, but it's amazing cuz I got so many training partners out there, but specifically I brought it to a tea.
He followed the plan. We knew exactly what was going to happen, the way that he was going to charge, the position that he was going to have, and the way we were going to finish it. And as it turns out, we rehearsed it well.
I hope you like the fight that we put out to people, and the spectacle that we put out for everybody. And that's not the worst thing. Jean also admitted that this felt like his first main event since he doesn't have any memory of his last fight at UFC Noce against Diego Lopez.
He said, "That night literally took something away from me. It took away all the memories I could have had from my first main event. I don't remember anything.
I don't remember walking out. I don't remember my music. I don't remember the camera in front of me.
It's kind of strange, but to me, tonight is my first main event. That's pretty wild. Hopefully, he takes some time off to heal his brain a bit.
And although Carlos Prates doesn't have a date to fight Islam Makachev yet, he recently had a warning for the All-Star fighter. In a recent video clip his camp released of Pratz sparring, he yelled, "Dubai," which is Russian for come on. He also said 29-2 in a reference to Makachev's record and that he's about to incur his [music] second professional loss.
Whatever it takes to lock up that title fight, right? And speaking of Islam, he was interviewed by Ushatika and he was asked about the pay for his boxing match with Connor. Surprisingly, Islam reported that he would box Connor for any fee.
He said, "Well, if I say Connor is not dangerous at all, that would be wrong. " Well, dangerous, yes, in the first round, but after that, I don't think he has any chances. I don't know the fees in boxing.
They pay very well. Honestly, for any fee, I would have fought in boxing, specifically with Connor, not with an Olympic boxing champion. And in a new interview with Adam Zubay, Hamza revealed that after he told the UFC that he didn't want to wait for Strickland, the UFC gave the fight to Emov instead.
[music] He said, "It's a little strange. So far, they haven't called me or anything like that. I asked him because I want to fight in Abu Dhabi.
I'm not asking for a title fight. I knew Strickland wasn't coming here. I said, "I just don't want to wait one or two years for him to recover.
" As soon as I said that, they gave the fight to Imov. [music] I don't know exactly how official it is, but they're giving him a fight. If they gave it to him, then they gave it to him.
I said, [music] "Give me someone to fight. Let me make some money and get my belt back as soon as possible. " Also revealed that if the UFC doesn't have him booked to fight by October or December, then he's going to step back and take a break from fighting to heal some of his injuries.
He [music] said, "If nothing happens in October or December, I'll take a little break. I have a lot of injuries that I need to get treated. I go into every fight with some kind of problem.
People already know that I just get sick often. I don't have half of my thyroid gland. I've been under anesthesia seven times and had six surgeries.
The Almighty has ordained this for me. I still have to live my life. " When it was announced that Francis Enanu was no longer under contract with the PFL, it flickered some hope for fans that just maybe we would see Enanu throwing hands in the octagon again.
But it certainly doesn't seem like that's going to happen. As we've covered this week, during a recent interview, Dana White trashed Enanu once more and insisted he'll never work with him again. In response, [music] Enanu noted on X that he spent over 3 years and a ton of cash and legal fees battling the UFC so he could fight elsewhere.
Well, since then, Enano posted the following statement on X, which referenced his last fight with the UFC. His decision victory over Surreal Gone in January 2022. Here's what he said.
the night that hurt the most over four years ago and it's still fresh. We've said it before and we'll say it again. While Dana is still the UFC CEO, the chances of Enanu returning to the Octagon are slim to none.
And Leo Dean recently reported that heavyweights Gabrielle Lorenzo and Alvin [music] Hines are going to battle at the UFC's November 7th card in Las Vegas. Hines could be in a must-win spot as [music] he's lost both of his UFC fights to date, having been defeated by Jonathan Denise and Richard Harris. Hines has gone 7 and0 prior to joining the UFC.
Lorenzo, meanwhile, hunched his ticket to the UFC earlier this month by quickly putting away Charlie Cleveland at a Dana White's Contender Series card. Lorenzo has won [music] eight straight fights since losing his pro debut, and Mattel's Gamerock isn't having the greatest second half of his 2026 campaign. The noted grappler was eliminated from the ADCC World Championships this week in the opening round of the touring.
Gamerock faced Elijah Dorsy and he was submitted with a rear naked choke. The loss follows Gamro's defeat to Quill and Saulkilled at the UFC's August 8th card. The fact Gamerock lost to Sawkilled wasn't exactly shocking given how highly touted Saulkilled is.
But not too many people, if any, predicted Gameamrot would get tapped out by the rising fighter. And speaking of ADCC, fans tuning into the iconic grappling tournament ended up seeing punches and kicks thrown. And no, not because a special MMA fight was booked.
All [music] hell broke loose after Dorian Olivaris finished Bez Kapashov in the opening round of a match that reportedly [music] was very, very physical. If you don't know, Oliver has trains with legendary jiu-jitsu coach John Danaher, as well as grappling star Gordon Ryan, who were in his corner. Well, tempers clearly flared as an all-out brawl between Kappa's team from Kazakhstan and Olivaris' corner ensued.
Following [music] the massive brawl, Ryan provided his side of the story on what went down. Here was some of what he had to say. >> The fight, you know, starts.
So, I'm like, "Okay, we're going to we're going to have a fight. I'm I'm not going to let just 15 Kha'Zix dudes jump and Mike and Dorian. " Uh, so I jump in.
I crack the first guy. The second that one of them sees me, like a couple of them start yelling, "Gordon, Gordon, Gordon. " So then they all turn towards me cuz I realized I was there.
They immediately tackled me. Like two guys like grabbed my legs, one guy pushed me over, so I just fell over. And then like like five or six of them just started hitting me in the head.
One guy, like a couple guys were soccer kicking me, couple guys were punching me. Uh, but I still managed to heist back up to my knees. Like I was on my knees.
I came up on a single leg on one of the C like even though like there was like literally between four and six of them. I have to watch a video. Like four or six of them on top of me.
I still heistic and started coming up to a single leg and then the fight like got broken up. I stood up. I was like, "Cool, fight's done.
Everyone's cool. " Here's hoping no one was seriously hurt. It certainly doesn't look like Gordon Ryan was.
He's probably looked worse after a long nap. And that's it for today's news video. Make sure to check out yesterday's video on screen right now if you missed it.
And also, don't forget to subscribe. We upload a news video every day. Seriously, we rarely ever miss a day.
Anyways, [music] thanks for watching and we'll see you back again tomorrow.
