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Alexander Volkanovski struggles to keep Mauricio Ruffy down, coach says

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Alexander Volkanovski struggles to keep Mauricio Ruffy down, coach says
Joe Lopez has seen major improvements in Mauricio
Ruffy’s grappling since the Brazilian joined Alexander
Volkanovski’s team.

Ruffy is preparing for the biggest test of his
Ultimate Fighting Championship career when he faces Arman
Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC
331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles. Tsarukyan’s wrestling prowess
is a key factor in the matchup, but Lopez believes his fighter has
made significant strides in that area.

Mauricio Ruffy's defensive wrestling improves ahead of Arman
Tsarukyan fight at UFC 331

Ruffy made the move from the Brazilian gym
Fighting Nerds after losing to Benoit St.
Denis in September 2025, joining Volkanovski's team in
Australia. Speaking to Submission Radio, Volkanovski's head coach
Lopez said Ruffy’s development has been particularly noticeable in
defensive wrestling and his ability to escape dangerous
positions.

“Well, it's just chalk and cheese,†Lopez said. “You can just see
how he's improving, you know?â€

Ruffy has since earned victories against Rafael
Fiziev and Michael
Chandler, finishing both lightweights. Lopez claims that even
Volkanovski struggles to keep Ruffy down in the gym. He added that
the Brazilian has improved his positioning while defending
takedowns and prioritizes keeping the fight on the feet rather than
chasing submissions.

“For this fight here, that's one of our specialties is our
defensive wrestling and our scrambles and not accepting the
position,†Lopez added. “Honestly, he's picking it up. When he
first came, he was still really stuck in his jiu-jitsu type thing
where he attached himself to the person. Now, he's not. He's
training his escapes, getting out, putting his body in the right
position, putting his hands in the right position.â€

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MMA

Vertigo delays Alvin Hines pursuit of first UFC victory

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Vertigo delays Alvin Hines' pursuit of first UFC victory
Alvin
Hines' pursuit of his first win in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship has been delayed.

Hines was scheduled to face Gabriel
Lourenco in a heavyweight bout at
UFC Fight Night 293 on Nov. 7 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
However, Hines has announced his withdrawal from the fight because
of vertigo.

Alvin Hines withdraws from UFC Fight Night 293 against Gabriel
Lourenco

Hines plans to continue training with adjustments while recovering
from vertigo and hopes to return to competition at full
strength.

“I had to pull out of this one for medical reasons due to vertigo,â€
Hines wrote on Instagram. “It wasn't an easy decision, but I know I
need to be able to step into that Octagon at 100% and perform to my
true potential. I'm going to continue fight camp with some
adjustments while I work through this and get myself back to where
I need to be. I'm not walking away from the fight. I'm taking the
time to get right so when I'm back in there, I can put on the kind
of fight I know I'm capable of. I'm sorry for the change, and I
appreciate everyone who was looking forward to seeing me compete.
Trust me, I'll be back. Sometimes the hardest part of fighting
isn't throwing punches. It's knowing when to step back, get right,
and prepare for the next battle. This is just a setback. Not the
end of the story.â€

Hines (7-2) was an undefeated prospect with six finishes in seven
victories when he signed with the UFC last year. However, “Goozieâ€
has lost both of his Octagon appearances. Meanwhile, Lourenco (8-1)
was slated to make his promotional debut against Hines after
earning a contract with a first-round knockout victory over Charlie
Cleveland on
Dana White's Contender Series in September.

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MMA

Christian Leroy Duncan's coach reveals they asked for Brendan Allen ahead of UFC Vegas 122: 'The top of Christian’s list'

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Christian Leroy Duncan's coach reveals they asked for Brendan Allen ahead of UFC Vegas 122: 'The top of Christian’s list'

Christian Leroy Duncan is set to headline UFC Vegas 122 against Brendan Allen on Saturday.

Duncan has been on a roll as he's won five straight fights and is now set for his first UFC main event. However, he is fighting ahead of him in the rankings, and Duncan enters the bout as a +108 underdog on FanDuel.

Although Duncan is the underdog, he and his team have full confidence. The confidence is shown by the fact that they asked the UFC for this matchup, as this was the fight they wanted, according to his coach Mark Weir.

“He (Allen) was at the top of Christian's list,†Weir told BloodyElbow. “Every time we fight, we send a top five list over to the UFC. The war room is on a Tuesday, so we do it literally straight away. We never expect to get the number one pick, but we ask anyway.â€

The UFC agreed with Duncan's ask and made the fight the headliner on the Fight Night card on Saturday. It's also a pivotal fight for the middleweight division as the winner will be right in the title mix.

Christian Leroy Duncan is getting what he asked for

Not only did Christian Leroy Duncan ask to fight Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 122, but he's asked for his last couple of opponent.

Duncan is coming off a decision win over Jared Cannonier, which is a fight that the Brit also asked for and got.

“If I remember rightly, I think the last three times we've asked for someone, they've been given to us. We are aiming high and there's a risk factor for everyone who's fighting but so far, Christian's done his job,†Weir added.

Duncan enters UFC Vegas 122 with a record of 15-2 and is coming off a decision win over Jared Cannonier. He's 8-2 in the UFC with notable wins over Roman Dolidze and Eryk Anders, but this fight against Allen will be his toughest test.

Do you think Christian Leroy Duncan will beat Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 122?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’

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Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’
Court
McGee is proud of his final
Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance.

McGee's final bout came against Eric Nolan
at UFC
332 on Oct. 3 in front of his home fans in Salt Lake City. He
suffered a third-round technical knockout loss after a hard-fought
battle and subsequently laid down his gloves inside the Octagon to
mark the end of his UFC career.

Court McGee reflects on his final UFC fight after 16 years in
the promotion

McGee released a statement addressing his retirement. He is proud
of his final UFC fight despite the loss. After 16 years in the UFC,
McGee said he finally took it all in leading up to his farewell
bout. “The Crusher†also paid tribute to 13 coaches and training
partners he lost along the way.

“Saturday night was my last fight in the UFC,†McGee posted on X.
“16 years. 29 fights, including my time in the Ultimate Fighter
house. One hell of a journey. I didn't get my hand raised, but I'm
incredibly proud of my performance, proud of my opponent, and
genuinely happy for him. For the first time, I was able to slow
down and truly experience it all—the weeks leading up to the fight,
fight week, the walk to the Octagon, and everyone who's been beside
me through the highs and lows. Including the 13 coaches and
training partners we've lost. RIP. I gave this sport everything I
had. Sometimes my best was great. Sometimes it was just okay.
Saturday night, I was okay—and okay is good enough for me. I'm
grateful for the wins, the losses, the lessons, the people, and
every damn moment in between. What a journey. Thank you.â€

McGee (22-15) won Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter†in 2010,
earning a UFC contract. He overcame addiction before beginning his
professional mixed martial arts career.

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