Former football player Anthony
Wint recently opened up about the moment he realized mixed
martial arts was his next career path.

Wint, who emerged victorious in his
Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at
UFC Sacramento, recently reflected on his transition from
football to MMA after the Covid-19 pandemic during an appearance on
the “Deep Waters†podcast.

Anthony Wint explains how early grappling success convinced him
to commit to fighting

Wint recalled working with veteran manager Malki Kawa before
transitioning to MMA. Kawa manages several prominent fighters and
Wint remembers seeing a picture of Jon Jones in
his office.

“I didn’t know Malki did fighting,†Wint said. “I remember going up
his stairs and seeing the picture of Jon Jones. I was like, damn,
you know Jon Jones? He’s like, I manage Jon Jones.â€

Wint was initially headed toward the CFL, but the 2020 season was
canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. During that period, Kawa
encouraged him to consider MMA, claiming he could become a world
champion. Wint eventually made his way to MMA Masters, where he
began testing himself against established fighters in the gym.

“When I started grappling those guys, Miguel
Baeza was there; Colby
Covington comes later,†Wint said. “But they have a lot of big
dudes who’ve been doing it for a long time and I’m dominating them.
I don’t know the submissions, but I know how to do it.â€

That experience convinced Wint that MMA was more than just a
temporary move. He also credited his competitive nature for keeping
him in the sport. Once he started fighting, he found it difficult
to walk away because he did not want to accept defeat.

“Once I started, I knew I was in it,†he said. “The first time I
got into my first amateur fight and I got a W, I knew I was stuck
in it. Fighting is a sport where once you get into it, it’s one of
those sports where you’re the one who has to make the decision. I
can’t end it on a loss.â€

Anthony
Wint explains the moment he decided to switch from football to
MMA

“Once I started, I knew I was in it.” pic.twitter.com/myJqwjRZv4

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
August 24, 2026

Jiri
Prochazka has shut down ongoing rumors about his return to
action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion recently addressed rumors
linking him to an interim title fight against Paulo Costa
while reigning champion Carlos
Ulberg recovers from injury. While Prochazka is staying
consistent with his training regimen, he's yet to lock in a
fight.

Prochazka says his next UFC fight is not confirmed amid Paulo
Costa speculation

Prochazka last competed at
UFC 327, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Ulberg in a
bid for the vacant light heavyweight championship. Ulberg suffered
an ACL injury in the bout and is expected to return next year,
paving the way for an interim title.

Amidst rumors linking him to an interim title bout with Costa,
Prochazka took to social media to clear the air, claiming that his
next bout is unconfirmed.

“Strong week, great rounds and teamwork,†Prochazka wrote on
Instagram. “Family and friend bachelors party for relax on weekend.
Let’s start a 3rd week. Just don’t believe to every bullsh*t on
internet. Fight is not confirmed yet, still working on that. One
thing is sure. I want my preparation to be truly thorough—to break
everything down—and to start from the roots that have long been a
part of me. There are still levels that can be reached, and right
now I am very grateful to see them clearly.â€

UFC
332, scheduled for Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City,
remains without an officially announced main event, fueling
speculation that Prochazka vs. Costa could headline the card.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Michael
Bisping believes the rule under which Paddy
Pimblett's purse is being withheld is extremely
unreasonable.

Pimblett scored a first-round submission win over Benoit St.
Denis at
UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in July. “The Baddyâ€
hasn't yet received his purse for the fight due to a highly
criticized rule. Pimblett's purse is being withheld because he
celebrated his win by jumping on the cage. Max
Holloway and Gable
Steveson, who also celebrated their respective wins at UFC 329
by jumping on the cage, are also under investigation.

Paddy Pimblett’s UFC 329 purse remains withheld over his
post-fight cage celebration

Bisping believes this rule needs to change for good. The former UFC
middleweight champion believes it is absolutely justified to climb
on the cage after a win.

“It all goes back to when Paddy beat Benoit St. Denis. What did he
do? He celebrated. He jumped on the cage as a lot of fighters do,â€
Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Max Holloway did it. Gable
Steveson did it. And they're also under investigation and could
have their purses withheld or potentially are going to get fined
thousands of dollars. This is utterly ridiculous. I hate this
rule…â€

The Englishman then discussed how he did the same after winning his
title and that it's hard to contain the excitement of a big win.
“The Count†also believes it's a way for the athletic commissions
to earn some money on the side.

“I did it at
UFC 199 in California, one of the strictest commissions in the
world,†Bisping added. “A lot of fighters jump on top of the cage.
You've just won in front of thousands of people and millions
watching around the world. You're allowed to celebrate winning.
Boxers jump on the ropes all the time. But MMA fighters jump on the
cage and suddenly they get fined or have their purses withheld.
It's nonsense. It's a crime. It's the athletic commissions trying
to get a few bucks for themselves. This rule needs to be
changed.â€