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Robert Whittaker wants top opponent for next light heavyweight fight, Jan Blachowicz volunteers

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Robert Whittaker wants top opponent for next light heavyweight fight, Jan Blachowicz volunteers

Robert Whittaker wants a big name for his next light heavyweight fight, and a former champion is ready to answer the call.

In July, Whittaker successfully made his light heavyweight debut, finishing Nikita Krylov in the third round at UFC 329. The win immediately put “The Reaper†in the light heavyweight rankings, and now the former middleweight champion has his sights set on a top name in the 205-pound division.

“I'd love to get in there with Ank [Magomed Ankalaev],†Whittaker told the Believe You Me podcast. “I'd love to get in there with — well, Jan [Blachowicz] just had a loss, but I would have loved to jump in there with him. Bogdan would have been great. Anyone up. People keep throwing the name Costa out there, but I fought him before. There's a lot of other guys to fight as well.â€

Outside of Costa, there's only one big caveat for who Whittaker will fight next: he's not interested in scrapping with his training partners, Carlos Ulberg and Navajo Stirling.

“I won't fight the boys that I train with,†Whittaker said. “If we reach a point where we're one, two, and three with me, Carlos, and Nav, then I'm sure we can all sit down and find a way to get paid bank, but there's a lot of people to fight. And I've still got some work to do for myself in the rankings. I'm enjoying the progression. I'm enjoying coming up and going through the rankings again. It feels like a new chapter because of that.â€

Ulberg is the current light heavyweight champion, but is out of action for the foreseeable future with a leg injury. Stirling, meanwhile, just knocked out Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade this past weekend. But while Whittaker might not be interested in fighting Stirling, the man he just stopped is ready to take on “Bobby Knuckles.â€

On Thursday, Blachowicz posted a callout of Whittaker to social media.

“Hey Robert Whittaker! Let's turn your words into action.â€

Whittaker has yet to respond to Blachowicz's offer.

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BKB makes case for outpacing BKFC as promotions ready for faceoff cards on August 29th

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BKB makes case for outpacing BKFC as promotions ready for faceoff cards on August 29th

BKB and BKFC have been battling it out for hierarchical placement in the bare-knuckle boxing world, with both set to showcase big cards on the same day near month's end. BKB, formerly known as BYB Extreme, acquired the older BKB-based regime in the UK years, a league that first began making waves in the world of gloveless combat within the modern era of the sport before BKFC even had their first show.

While BKB has shined in terms of more conventional broadcasting models, as evidenced by multiple TV rights deals with outlets like Vice TV and NBCUniversal's Telemundo Deportes Ahora and talkSport to name but a few, the surging promotion also blazed unique trails in terms of social media-related broadcasting. Their efforts breaking ground with TikTok saw BKB record the highest watch time for any combat sport in the platform's history.

Their BKB 55 broadcast in June, headlined by standout ex-boxing champion Lee Selby, got the jump on Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, with MVP making claims regarding their historic efforts on TikTok, with many fact-checking that BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing had already carved out its place live streaming on that app. While BKFC has strong cache in the space with big names like Darren Till and Mike Perry making headlines, it seems like BKB is making longer-term structure minded considerations for a sustainable future in the game.

BKB and BKFC's August 29th cards under the spotlight

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing is touching down in Miami near the end of the month with a monumental matchup as their main event. Someone many see as the sport's top fighter today, Gustavo Trujillo, will defend his heavyweight crown against a hungry Mark O'Neill who looks to tilt the bare-knuckle world off its axis.

Plus, Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa will drop the gloves for his first foray into gloveless combat set for BKB 58. Gamboa will battle Yesner Talavera in the former's bare-knuckle debut set to emanate from Florida. Also on August 29th, Aspen Ladd will make her BKB debut after a successful debut in BKFC when Ladd battles ex-welterweight title challenger Bianca Daimoni.

For BKFC, they will take over Boston for BKFC 92 with a featherweight title clash set for the vaunted venue, Fenway Park. Dominant champ Kai Stewart will defend his 145-pound crown against partisan favorite/ former BKB champion Harry Gigliotti for their marquee topping attraction. Also of note, the top pound-for-pound woman in the sport, Christine Ferea, also returns to clash with Sofia Landi. Plus, former UFC stalwart Joe Lauzon will also knuckle up and toe the line on this Massachusetts-based night of fistic fireworks.

Regardless of which card is piquing your attention the most, the evident truth is that bare-knuckle fans will have a lovely night of high-octane action to whet their appetites on August 29th.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Allan Nascimento dies at 34 after apparent heart attack, UFC mourns

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Allan Nascimento dies at 34 after apparent heart attack, UFC mourns
The mixed martial arts world is mourning the sudden death of
Allan
Nascimento.

Nascimento (22-7) was reportedly found unresponsive on Monday, Aug.
3. The
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight suffered a heart
attack in his sleep and was pronounced deceased at the scene by
medical responders.

UFC and Chute Boxe pay tribute after flyweight Allan Nascimento
dies at age 34

The UFC posted a condolence message on social media.

“This morning, Monday, Aug. 3, our beloved flyweight fighter, Allan
Nascimento, was found unresponsive after suffering an apparent
heart attack in his sleep. Despite the efforts of the responding
medical team, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts
and deepest condolences are with Allan’s family, friends,
teammates, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult
time.â€

His team,
Chute Boxe, also took to social media to share a message.

“Today, our team loses much more than an athlete; we have lost a
warrior, a friend, a dedicated competitor, and an extraordinary
human being who earned the respect and admiration of all who had
the privilege of knowing him. Allan inspired on and off the mats
with his determination, humility, respect and fighting spirit.â€

Nascimento originally started competing in muay thai in 2008. Due
to his skinny frame, he earned the nickname “Puro Osso,†meaning
skin and bones. Nascimento transitioned to MMA soon after and paid
his dues on the regional circuit for a decade before making his UFC
debut in 2021. The 34-year-old went 4-2 in the UFC and was coming
off a narrow split decision loss against Mitch
Raposo in June.


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Roberto Soldic announces free agency after ONE Championship contract expires

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Roberto Soldic announces free agency after ONE Championship contract expires

Roberto Soldic has entered free agency after his ONE Championship contract expired, the 31-year-old veteran announced Friday.

The former KSW two-division champion only fought three times under the ONE banner between 2021 and 2025, stopping Dagi Arslanaliev in spectacular fashion (watch here) in his most recent bout after a no-contest against Murad Ramazanov and a loss to Zebaztian Kadestam in previous appearances. “Robocop's†latest competition was a Sept. 2025 boxing match in Poland, when he knocked out Tomasz Adamek.

“Thank you for the journey,†Soldic wrote in a statement posted on social media. “My time with ONE has come to an end as my contract has officially expired. I want to thank ONE Championship from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity and the incredible experience. Every fight, every challenge, and every moment inside the cage has pushed me to become a better warrior and a better person.

“I've gained more than just fights — I've gained knowledge, respect, and memories that will last a lifetime. To my fans, thank you for your unconditional support through every high and low. You are the reason I keep fighting. This is not the end. This is the beginning of what's next. See you soon.â€

Soldic had a stellar run in KSW before joining ONE, winning eight of nine bouts and capturing belts at welterweight and middleweight. The sole loss in the KSW was a knockout against future UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis, one he avenged six months later with a knockout to recapture the 170-pound belt.

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