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Aljamain Sterling accepts 'pure striking' offer from Kevin Vallejos ahead of UFC Qatar clash

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11 hours ago

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Aljamain Sterling accepts 'pure striking' offer from Kevin Vallejos ahead of UFC Qatar clash
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Paddy Pimblett provides an update on his next UFC fight
Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling seems game to abandon his trademark ground game at UFC Qatar later this year.

The UFC's return to Qatar features a light heavyweight main event between former champion Jiri Prochazka and Navajo Stirling. Prochazka and Stirling will battle for a potential light heavyweight title shot amidst Carlos Ulberg's ongoing absence.

Outside of the main event, UFC Qatar features many high-octane bouts on the undercard. One of which is a UFC featherweight clash between Aljamain Sterling and Kevin Vallejos, who are both working towards a potential title nod.

As Sterling prepares to potentially stop another fighter's hype train, Vallejos challenged the former bantamweight titleholder to an all-striking bout.

Kevin Vallejos and Aljamain Sterling expect to put on a show in UFC Qatar co-headliner

In a recent tweet following the UFC Qatar card announcement, Vallejos shared his first thoughts on the Sterling matchup and proposed an intriguing offer.

“I think my fight with Sterling will be pure striking,†Vallejos tweeted about Sterling.

“ALL the fans win with this one. Legend vs. Prospect. All-out striking war in a full arena.â€

After Vallejos' proposition, Sterling didn't take long to respond.

“Can't wait!†Sterling replied.

If Sterling takes an all-striking approach against Vallejos later this year, it could be a big mistake against the surging contender. Vallejos has earned recent wins over Josh Emmett, Giga Chikadze, and Seung-Woo Choi.

Sterling has bounced back from a close loss to Movsar Evloev with back-to-back wins over Youssef Zalal and Brian Ortega. The former bantamweight champ made the full-time move to featherweight after a loss to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292.

While Prochazka vs. Stirling is the main event in Qatar, don't be surprised if Sterling vs. Vallejos steals the spotlight, especially if the two featherweights keep the fight standing.

What is your prediction for Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Vallejos at UFC Qatar? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

Ex-IBF champion Lee Selby gets unbeaten test in BKB 61 main event

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2 hours ago

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September 30, 2026

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Ex-IBF champion Lee Selby gets unbeaten test in BKB 61 main event
Lee “Lightning†Selby will headline BKB 61 against Ollie “The
Death†Sentance on Nov. 14 at Indigo at The O2 in London.

BKB announced the all-British matchup Tuesday, with the former IBF
featherweight champion set to make his second appearance in the
promotion's Trigon. Selby had previously been confirmed for the
event, but his opponent had not been announced.

Lee Selby faces 2-0 bare-knuckle finisher Ollie Sentance in
London

Selby retired from professional boxing in 2022, bringing an end to
a career in which he captured the IBF featherweight championship.
He made his BKB debut at BKB 55 in June, stopping Antonio Rizzo via
second-round TKO.

The 39-year-old Welshman will now make his first BKB appearance in
London, where he will face another undefeated bare-knuckle fighter
in Sentance.

“I'm really looking forward to getting back in the Trigon and
fighting in London again,†Selby said. “Ollie is a tough opponent
and I know he'll be coming to bring a fight, so I'm expecting a
proper battle. It's always special fighting in front of the British
fans and I'm excited to headline BKB 61 and put on a great night
for everyone at The O2.â€

Sentance enters the matchup with a 2-0 bare-knuckle record, with
both victories coming by stoppage. The Kidderminster,
Worcestershire, native made his BKB debut in February, stopping
Nico Earwaker in the fourth round before adding another TKO victory
over Corey Healey at BKB 55.

The 29-year-old competed in several combat sports, including mixed
martial arts and kickboxing, before moving into bare-knuckle
boxing.

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Dana White says Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua delay is a ‘total ego thing’ and explains why he won’t be at the press conference

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7 hours ago

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September 29, 2026

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Dana White says Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua delay is a ‘total ego thing’ and explains why he won’t be at the press conference

Dana White says he is definitely part of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua.

The last few weeks have been dominated by the public battle between Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, and the UFC CEO over whether or not White will be involved in the Fury vs. Joshua superfight in December. Despite having no direct promotional relationship with either fighter, White and fight financier, Turki Alalshikh, have pushed for White's involvement in the promotion, while Hearn has steadfastly refused to allow it.

As such, for the past few weeks the fight has appeared to be in jeopardy of even happening, but on the eve of their first official press conference, White insists that everything has been settled, and that he is part of the promotion.

“There's no confusion whatsoever,†White told reporters after the latest edition of Contender Series on Tuesday night. “If you look at everything, from the network to the guy that's actually f*cking paying for it, and to me saying what I've said. I've been saying it now feels like for f*cking years, but it's probably been weeks, and I've been saying the same thing. …

“It's happening. It's done,†White continued. “It's a done deal. Everything that I've been saying is the truth. Why would I say it and double down, and triple down, and f*cking quadruple down if it wasn't the case?â€

Of course, White has insisted several times before that things were settled, only for Hearn to deny those claims later. Hearn and White have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter rivalry for most of 2026, since White moved into boxing with Zuffa Boxing and quickly signed one of Hearn's long-time fighters, Conor Benn. Since then, the two have battled through the media, with White at one point even suggesting they fight for real. So, as this rivalry continues, White puts the issues with booking Fury-Joshua down to ego.

“This isn't a hesitation, this is an ego thing,†White said. “Total ego thing. It has nothing to do with any of this shit. And listen, boxing has taken a hit in the United States. It's not as big as it was 20 years ago. It has become a very British sport, and all the shit that you're hearing, the crying, and the bitching, and whatever the f*ck, is coming from the U.K.â€

White also insisted that despite all his fiery language, he's actually in his element, telling reporters he's having fun and that “this is right up my alley.â€

It's still unclear exactly what role White plays in the Fury-Joshua fight, though, and whatever it is, it apparently won't be part of the opening press conference on Wednesday, as White confirmed he will not be in attendance for the London event.

“No, because I was here,†White said when asked if he would be at the press conference. “I would have been there if I didn't have the Contender.â€

Fury and Joshua are expected to fight on Dec. 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

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Jiri Prochazka headlines UFC Qatar; Aljamain Sterling, Dan Hooker return

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12 hours ago

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September 29, 2026

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Jiri Prochazka headlines UFC Qatar; Aljamain Sterling, Dan Hooker return
Trending:

Paddy Pimblett provides an update on his next UFC fight
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will return at UFC Qatar for his first bout since losing to Carlos Ulberg.

The UFC light heavyweight title picture remains in a peculiar spot as titleholder Carlos Ulberg continues to recover from a leg injury suffered at UFC 327. Earlier this year, Ulberg rallied against Jiri Prochazka to earn a TKO win after injuring his leg just minutes into the fight.

Now, the light heavyweight titleholder remains on the sidelines as Prochazka and other top contenders make their cases for a title shot. Prochazka is looking to secure another title shot after recent championship losses to Alex Pereira and Ulberg.

As he looks to move closer to another potential title fight, Prochazka will headline the UFC's return to Qatar against one of the division's most dangerous young contenders.

Jiri Prochazka vs. Navajo Stirling headlines stacked card at UFC Qatar

As the UFC announced on Tuesday, Prochazka will face Navajo Stirling (11-0) in the UFC Qatar main event on November 21st.

Stirling returns to the Octagon after recent knockout wins over Jan Blachowicz, Ion Cutelaba, and Bruno Lopes. He was a longtime teammate of Israel Adesanya at City Kickboxing before Adesanya left the gym earlier this year.

A win over Prochazka would likely give Stirling the nod for a title shot over some of the other top contenders. Prochazka was briefly linked to a fight against former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa before negotiations fell apart.

UFC Qatar features the returns of top names like Aljamain Sterling, Dan Hooker, and the highly anticipated debut of super prospect Akbar Abdullaev. Stirling will face surging featherweight contender Kevin Vallejos in the co-main event.

Hooker, who returns after a loss at UFC Paris earlier this month, will fight Brian Ortega in the latter's long-awaited lightweight debut.

What is your prediction for Jiri Prochazka vs. Navajo Stirling? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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