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Marlon Vera opens up on mental health issues amidst four-fight UFC skid

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1 month ago

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Marlon Vera opens up on mental health issues amidst four-fight UFC skid
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Pros react after Islam Makhachev defeats Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera questioned everything during his recent struggles inside the Octagon.

Marlon Vera has struggled since a loss to then-UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley at UFC 299. Following a unanimous decision title fight loss to O'Malley in their UFC 299 rematch, Vera has lost three consecutive fights and is out of the bantamweight Top 15 for the first time in years.

Vera will look to right the ship when he faces Charles Jourdain at UFC 331 later this month. The card is headlined by a rematch between UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja.

Vera's current skid is the longest of his career by a considerable margin, and the UFC fan favorite hasn't won consecutive fights since 2022. Dealing with unprecedented adversity, Vera's mental strength has been tested, as he recently admitted ahead of his return.

Marlon Vera opens up on ‘depressing' losing skid ahead of UFC 331

In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Vera was asked about the mental toll his recent struggles have taken on him.

“It's pretty s—–. It's hard, man. It's depressing. It hits you where it matters the most. I don't even really know how to express it,†Vera admitted.

“You put so much into it. You're trying so hard and you fail. Then you say, ‘OK, let's get back on the horse. I'm a tough person. I've got to keep my chin high.' And then you fail again, and you fail again.

“You get to the point where it's like, ‘OK, I'm not ever going to succeed again. This is just not working for me.'†Vera continued. “Then you go into yourself and you're like, ‘What's wrong? What am I doing wrong?'â€

If Vera is victorious at UFC 331, he could potentially return to the bantamweight Top 15. In the meantime, recent work with Raul Rosas Jr. and his new team might've paid massive dividends.

What is your prediction for Marlon Vera vs. Charles Jourdain? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss

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9 hours ago

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October 13, 2026

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Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.

Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.

Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO

This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.

Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.

“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€

Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.

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Jai Herbert is 'rolling with it' after securing second win of the year

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23 hours ago

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October 12, 2026

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Jai Herbert is 'rolling with it' after securing second win of the year
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jai_herbert_mma on Instagram

UFC veteran Jai Herbert is rolling with the punches after a nice win over Matheus Camilo in Vegas last weekend.

Throughout the course of his tenure in the promotion, Jai Herbert has been able to pick up some pretty nice wins. Of course, he's also had his fair share of setbacks, but against Matheus Camilo on Saturday night, he made it two wins on the bounce.

RELATED: Jai Herbert expecting an “entertaining fight†and to “put on a show†against Fares Ziam at UFC London

Given the fact that he is now 38 years of age, many wouldn't have expected Jai Herbert to still be competing at this level considering some of the damage he's taken in the past. Alas, he continues to defy the odds in an impressive way.

After the fight, Jai Herbert spoke to reporters about his current approach to the MMA game.

Jai Herbert reflects on latest victory

“I feel good,†Herbert told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC Fight Night 290. “I don't really look (at my age). I'm just rolling with it. … Usually they have a fight the start of the year in London. But whatever. I like fighting on the road. I really enjoy. I fought in Winning in April. Now fought in Vegas. I'm just happy to get there and fight. I'm just taking it every day as it comes.â€

“He was loading up with the big shots and I knew that was going to end up draining him,†Herbert said. “Obviously I was tired too, but I imposed my will on him. I knew I was going to win, especially in that last round. I wanted to work harder and that's what I did.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

What's next for Herbert in the UFC? Is this one of the best wins he's had in his UFC run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

‘I feel free of the shackles’: Michael Page reacts to signing with Misfits Boxing after UFC departure

Published

23 hours ago

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October 12, 2026

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‘I feel free of the shackles’: Michael Page reacts to signing with Misfits Boxing after UFC departure

Michael Page has found his new combat sports home after a head-scratching UFC run.

Page was not re-signed by the UFC following his decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in September, improving his promotional record to 5-1. Despite being ranked in two different divisions, the UFC couldn't wait to let Page enter free agency, and this past Saturday, “MVP†was announced as the newest signing to Misfits Boxing for a multi-fight deal.

“Venom†spoke about his decision following the announcement, and couldn't be happier to express himself creatively, which he couldn't do in the UFC.

“To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly,†Page told The Stomping Ground. “We kind of didn't know as recent as three or four days back, it still wasn't 100 percent confirmed where we're going. But yeah, this makes sense.

“Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I'm a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — and I wasn't allowed to do that. And I feel like here, they're literally like, â€Look, we want you to be yourself.“ That's going to help me be my best self.â€

While Page had success from a wins and losses perspective, his fights left a bit to be desired. But it seemed like the writing was on the wall almost immediately for Page's UFC run, as his signing was, essentially, a throwaway portion of a Dana White post-event press conference. Page's lone UFC loss came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024.

The 39-year-old knows more could've been accomplished in the UFC, but he's excited to put a fresh coat of paint on his next chapter of competition.

“For me, it's a shame,†Page explained. “I just feel like there's so much more the UFC could be doing for fighters. Regardless, whether you like them, hate them, they are the biggest combat show in terms of MMA. So you have to value them, there's some ridiculously talented fighters.

“But I went in there, and I was top-10 in two divisions, I was calling out everybody, wasn't getting any feedback. Again, [I] felt very restricted, so it's a shame because I felt like there was more fights, big fights that could be had. But here, I feel free. The big fights, the big names that are out there, that are away from other shows, it's all going to happen.â€

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