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Gable Steveson: Vacant UFC belt could put fire back in Jon Jones

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1 month ago

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Gable Steveson: Vacant UFC belt could put 'fire' back in Jon Jones
Jon
Jones' protégé, Gable
Steveson, believes the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship double champ could return to
action.

Jones retired last year as the heavyweight champion after
repeatedly stalling on a title unification bout with then-interim
champ Tom
Aspinall. Aspinall was then promoted to undisputed status after
Jones' retirement. However, the Englishman recently vacated the
belt, which Steveson believes could pave the way for Jones' Octagon
return.

Gable Steveson believes the open UFC heavyweight title picture
could tempt Jon Jones out of retirement

Aspinall put his title on the line against Ciryl Gane
last October. The fight ended in an anticlimactic no-contest after
a double-eye poke by Gane in the first round left Aspinall unable
to continue. Aspinall has since been inactive as he recovers from
multiple eye surgeries. He recently vacated the heavyweight title
of his own accord.

Amid rumors linking unbeaten Josh Hokit
to fighting Gane for the undisputed title, Steveson believes Jones
could be lured to return to action by the heavyweight title picture
opening up. Being Jones' regular training partner, Steveson is
confident that “Bones†can still handle himself against the best
heavyweights.

“I have heard rumbles of [Gane vs.] Josh Hokit,†Steveson told RMC
Sport Combat. “That would be a fantastic fight. Josh is another
fast guy that can keep up with the pace of Gane… I think Jon would
like to come back also. Maybe seeing the belt opens up puts another
fire in him. Jon's my training partner every day in Albuquerque.
So, I have seen what he can still do. I know he can do it at the
highest level. Maybe his time will come again and I think it
will.â€

While Jones retired last year, he is still on the UFC roster and
has been drug-tested thrice in 2026, leaving the window open for a
return. Meanwhile, Steveson is scheduled to take on Sean Sharaf
at UFC
331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

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MMA

Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: Lets do it

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 28, 2026

By

Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: 'Let's do it'
Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor
McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their
2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor's profile and generated
considerable financial rewards for both men.

Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine
years after 2017 boxing match

Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th
round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since
competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing
the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah,
absolutely,†Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD
Podcast.†“I don't live with Conor McGregor, he's not my friend. I
don't have to see him. It's just when it's time for us to do
business and lock up, let's do it.â€

Mayweather's exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer
Tenshin
Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul
and Deji, and former MMA fighter Aaron
Chalmers. “Money†has also faced John Gotti
III twice.

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MMA

Nina Drama denies being forced to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview

Published

14 hours ago

on

October 27, 2026

By

Nina Drama denies being 'forced' to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview
Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with
Movsar
Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele's
decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew
criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar
Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333

During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would
prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly.
Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him
comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is
voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it's always about respect,†Daniele wrote on
X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love
learning about cultures and I'm so grateful for the UFC for giving
me the opportunity to travel the world. Some people are offended
and that's fine, this came from a place of respect and wanting to
be able to make Movsar
Evloev comfortable in our interview. My interviews are not
‘mandatory' and never were, the fighters that show up show up
because they want to and I was in no way shape or form ‘forced' to
do anything. Thank you to Movsar and his team for giving me the
opportunity to show the fans a different side of him! I'm so happy
people are enjoying the interview!â€

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MMA

Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Published

15 hours ago

on

October 27, 2026

By

Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Anthony Pettis is out of his scheduled RAF debut against Donald Cerrone and is instead hunting bigger game.

On Tuesday, Real American Freestyle announced that Pettis will challenge Arman Tsarukyan for his RAF middleweight crossover title in the main event of RAF 15, which takes place on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago.

RAF 15 was originally set to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong. That bout now serves as the co-main event.

MMA Fighting confirmed that Tsarukyan is still wrestling Neiman Gracie at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 in a non-title bout. Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone is now out of RAF 15 altogether.

Tsarukyan won the vacant RAF crossover middleweight title this past weekend with a tech fall over Dillon Danis at RAF 14 in Las Vegas.

Pettis, meanwhile, has never competed in freestyle wrestling before, and last competed in any combat sport in 2024, losing a unanimous decision to Chris Avila in a boxing match.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.

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