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Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2: Both predict UFC 331 finishes

Published

3 weeks ago

on

Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2: Both predict UFC 331 finishes
Alexandre
Pantoja and Joshua Van
both claim to have tricks up their sleeves for their rematch.

Pantoja (30-6) will look to reclaim the
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title from Van (17-2)
in their rematch at UFC
331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Both
125-pounders have identified holes in each other's games that
they're looking to exploit.

Alexandre Pantoja’s coach breaks down their UFC 331 flyweight
title rematch

Pantoja's muay thai coach at
American Top Team, Anderson Franca, says the Brazilian has some
surprises in store for his Octagon return. He believes Van will try
to keep the fight standing as he will be concerned about Pantoja's
ground game. However, Franca claims Pantoja can surprise Van on the
feet as well and predicts a precise fourth-round finish.

“Van's fight with Taira gave us a lot of elements to study in terms
of how he might approach this fight,†Franca told Sherdog. “We have
Plan A and Plan B. We're bringing some surprises. Pantoja is
extremely motivated and our expectations couldn't be better. This
was a particularly good training camp. Parrumpa really pushed his
conditioning so he would be able to go hard for all five rounds if
necessary. I believe Joshua Van will want to keep the fight
standing and emphasize his boxing. I think he'll be concerned about
Pantoja's grappling, but Pantoja can surprise him on the feet as
well. Still, I believe Pantoja will get the finish in the fourth
round.â€

Joshua Van explains the opening he plans to exploit against
Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331

Meanwhile, Van says he’s noticed a chink in Pantoja's armor that he
plans to exploit. He also says he isn't worried about the former
champ's grappling and even believes he could slip in a sneaky
submission. The 24-year-old champ plans to finish Pantoja within
three rounds.

“We work on defending that position, but maybe I'll be the one who
gets him in the rear-naked choke,†Van told Full Send MMA. “I
showed with Taira I'm not scared of the ground; I'll look for a sub
if it's there. We've studied him and seen a little hole that he has
in his game that we are gonna capitalize on. There's a couple of
things I can't speak on, but it's going to be done within three
rounds.â€

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MMA

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

Published

6 hours ago

on

October 7, 2026

By

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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MMA

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight

Published

1 day ago

on

October 6, 2026

By

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight
Dustin
Poirier will do whatever it takes to help his teammates.

Poirier recently recalled an incident in which he helped a teammate
make weight illegally. Poirier's friend was over the weight limit
for a fight in Mississippi, and the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim titleholder resorted to
manipulating the scale to help him.

Dustin Poirier details how he lifted an overweight teammate
during a Mississippi weigh-in

Fighters shed every bit of clothing and stand behind a towel when
they're close to the weight limit. Poirier stood behind the towel
with his teammate while everyone else was on the other side. “The
Diamond†claims he slightly lifted his friend so that he made
weight.

“One time one of my buddies was fighting in Mississippi,†Poirier
said on the “Deep Waters†podcast. “And they had the towel out, he
was naked, he was over [the weight limit]. I was behind the towel
with him. Everybody was in front. I grabbed a handful of hairy man
*ss cheeks and I lifted him up a little bit, got him on
weight.â€

Poirier (30-10) hung up his gloves after losing to Max
Holloway last year. He has since admitted that he misses
fighting and hasn't entirely ruled out a return.

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MMA

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight

Published

1 day ago

on

October 6, 2026

By

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight
Dustin
Poirier will do whatever it takes to help his teammates.

Poirier recently recalled an incident in which he helped a teammate
make weight illegally. Poirier's friend was over the weight limit
for a fight in Mississippi, and the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim titleholder resorted to
manipulating the scale to help him.

Dustin Poirier details how he lifted an overweight teammate
during a Mississippi weigh-in

Fighters shed every bit of clothing and stand behind a towel when
they're close to the weight limit. Poirier stood behind the towel
with his teammate while everyone else was on the other side. “The
Diamond†claims he slightly lifted his friend so that he made
weight.

“One time one of my buddies was fighting in Mississippi,†Poirier
said on the “Deep Waters†podcast. “And they had the towel out, he
was naked, he was over [the weight limit]. I was behind the towel
with him. Everybody was in front. I grabbed a handful of hairy man
*ss cheeks and I lifted him up a little bit, got him on
weight.â€

Poirier (30-10) hung up his gloves after losing to Max
Holloway last year. He has since admitted that he misses
fighting and hasn't entirely ruled out a return.

Continue Reading
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