Connor Malone

MMA Sports Writer

MMA analyst and mechanical engineer specializing in fighter performance metrics, tactical breakdowns, and biomechanical analysis of combat sports techniques.

67 articles published

Latest Articles by Connor Malone

Joshua Van Pushes Back on Doubters After UFC 323: New Champion Unfazed by Criticism

Joshua Van is fully aware that his UFC 323 title victory came under unusual circumstances, and he is equally aware that a portion of the MMA world is reluctant to recognize it as legitimate. The newly crowned flyweight champion, however, has made it clear that he has no intention of defending his achievement against criticism outside the cage.

December 7, 2025 UFC

Joshua Van Accepts UFC 323 Flyweight Title Shot Against Pantoja — Even Without a Set Gameplan

The upcoming UFC 323 co-main event already carries plenty of hype — and its underdog challenger, 24-year-old Joshua Van, is refusing to overthink it. Van will attempt to dethrone flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja this weekend, and despite the magnitude of the fight, the contender says he’s walking into the cage with no rigid tactic.

December 1, 2025 UFC

Alexandre Pantoja Brushes Off Champ-vs-Champ Talk: “The Weight Difference Is Too Much”

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has put the brakes on any notion of a high-profile “champion vs. champion” fight between him and bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili — at least for now.

November 30, 2025 UFC

Aljamain Sterling Calls Out UFC Over Title Shot Given to Diego Lopes: “What Is the Criteria?”

The announcement that Diego Lopes would challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title at UFC 325 has ignited serious debate inside the locker room — none louder than from veteran featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling. In a candid interview with MMAFighting.com, Sterling voiced confusion and anger at what he sees as a questionable booking decision.

November 29, 2025 UFC

The Greatest Heavyweight Fight That Never Happened: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture

In the long history of heavyweight MMA, fans have argued endlessly about missed opportunities, timing gone wrong, and contracts that stood between legends. No story embodies that frustration more than the fight that never materialised: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture. It wasn’t just a fantasy matchup — for a brief moment, it looked real.

November 28, 2025 MMA

Superbon Praises Yuki Yoza’s Rapid Rise: “He’s Earned Real Respect Now”

Superbon has spent years battling the top athletes in kickboxing, and he has never been the type to hand out praise lightly. That’s why his recent acknowledgment of Yuki Yoza’s rise carries weight.

November 28, 2025 ONE

UFC 324 Odds Drop: Gaethje & Nunes Opening as Underdogs Ahead of Paramount+ Debut

UFC 324 is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about cards of the early year, not only because of the lineup but because it marks the launch of the UFC’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount+. With the event set for January at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the promotion is putting significant weight behind its first major card of the deal.

November 28, 2025 UFC

Dana White Unveils UFC 324: A Bold Statement for the Paramount+ Era

Dana White Unveils UFC 324: A Bold Statement for the Paramount+ Era The buzz hit the MMA world like a perfectly timed combination. Dana White, never one to shy away from making bold statements, announced the fight card for UFC 324 with a clarity of vision that speaks volumes about the UFC's commitment to its new television partnership with Paramount+ and CBS.

November 28, 2025 UFC

Jon Jones Eyes Rematch With Khamzat Chimaev After Being Taken Down in Street Grappling

Jon Jones has been part of wild stories before, but even by his standards, the latest headline surrounding the former UFC heavyweight champion is something no one expected.

November 27, 2025 MMA

From the Octagon to Handcuffs: How Sinead Kavanagh's Ryanair Flight Ended in Arrest and Two Injured Police Officers

From the Octagon to Handcuffs: How Sinead Kavanagh's Ryanair Flight Ended in Arrest and Two Injured Police Officers Thirty-nine-year-old Sinead Kavanagh thought it was just another flight home.