In a groundbreaking move that sent shockwaves through the world of combat sports, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) finalized its acquisition of Bellator MMA. While the specific terms of the deal remain undisclosed, PFL Chairman Donn Davis announced the historic agreement on Monday.

Under the agreement, Paramount, Bellator's former parent company, will retain a minority ownership stake. Despite the ownership change, the Bellator brand is set to continue as a distinct entity, undergoing a "reimagined" transformation slated for 2024.

One of the most significant immediate changes is that all athletes currently signed with Bellator will be eligible to compete on PFL platforms. This move opens the door for cross-promotional matchups and an infusion of top-tier talent into PFL's already robust roster.

Emerging middleweights Brendan Allen and Paul Craig are set to clash in the main event at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas. Allen, riding a five-fight winning streak, steps into his first headlining appearance after an impressive debut on Dana White's Contender Series in 2019. However, facing Paul Craig, known for being a tricky opponent with notable wins at light heavyweight, won't be an easy task. Despite Craig not currently being on a winning streak, his victories over fighters like Jamahal Hill and Nikita Krylov showcase his skill set. With Craig now competing in the middleweight division, this promises to be an exciting matchup at 185, potentially leading to significant opportunities for the winner. Check out the full card and odds for the featured bouts.

Chael Sonnen swiftly fires back at Jorge Masvidal's recent insults. After Masvidal sided with Ariel Helwani in the recent feud with Sonnen, referring to Sonnen as "a b****" and more, Sonnen didn't let the remarks go unnoticed. Responding on social media, Sonnen didn't hold back, taking jabs at Masvidal's recent UFC losses and his resolved assault case with Colby Covington. Sonnen even claimed that Masvidal sought career advice from him in the past, adding a touch of sarcasm by suggesting they focus on more plausible matters. Chael responded with "Does he think he's talking to someone else?"

In a highly anticipated prelude to UFC 299, the newly-crowned UFC bantamweight champion, Sean O'Malley, and the tenacious contender, Marlon Vera, engaged in their inaugural staredown in the vibrant backdrop of New York City.

Khamzat Chimaev's Open Challenge for Big Paydays

Following Paulo Costa's late-notice withdrawal, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman steps up to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight clash at UFC 294, creating an exciting matchup under unforeseen circumstances. Chimaev believes the roster sees him as a lucrative opponent and understands why Usman would take the risk.

During the UFC 294 media day, Chimaev addressed the possibility of facing Usman in the future. He explained that he would move down to welterweight if Usman held the belt. Still, as Usman lost his chance to reclaim the title from Leon Edwards, Chimaev didn't want to cut weight unnecessarily. He emphasized that Usman is here for the money, but he's also eager to win, as fighters always are.

Craig Jones says Alexander Volkanovski will end a martial art vs. Islam Makhachev: 'Sambo is a myth. It doesn't exist'

Craig Jones thinks Alexander Volkanovski puts an end to Sambo at UFC 294.

Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will step in on less than two weeks’ notice to rematch lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) next Saturday, Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi.

Jones, a multiple-time IBJJF world championship medalist and 2019 ADCC runner up, isn’t sold on Sambo as a martial art, and hopes Volkanovski proves how ineffective it is by beating Makhachev.

After suffering a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and pleading guilty to drunk driving in the aftermath of the defeat, Israel Adesanya has decided to take an extended break from fighting. Adesanya acknowledged Strickland's superiority on the night of the fight and credited his opponent's performance. He expressed a need to focus on self-care and well-being.

Adesanya made it clear that he's not retiring, as he believes there's more to achieve in his career. However, he emphasized that he won't be returning to the octagon anytime soon. Despite recent setbacks, he's confident in his abilities and is determined to make necessary lifestyle changes to prepare for his next fight.

Having faced a challenging schedule with four fights in the last 18 months, Adesanya wants to prioritize his health and recovery. When he eventually returns to the octagon, he sends a fiery warning to the division, promising to be a force to reckon with.

The UFC's partnership with USADA could result in legal action, as UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell issued a threat of legal proceedings against USADA due to recent statements made by the organization's drug-testing partner. Campbell accused USADA CEO Travis Tygart of defamation and demanded a formal apology by 5 p.m. PT on Thursday. Additionally, Campbell and UFC executive Jeff Novitzky revealed plans to partner with Drug Free Sport in early 2024 for their drug-testing and anti-doping program. Former FBI agent George Piro will lead this program as an independent administrator.

Tygart previously announced that December 2023 would mark the end of USADA's partnership with the UFC, citing disputes over Conor McGregor's testing status as a contributing factor. Campbell vehemently disagreed with Tygart's claims and emphasized that McGregor had always intended to reenter the testing program for six months before fighting, with no exceptions.

Campbell criticized USADA's use of McGregor to advance a false narrative and suggested that the organization was driven by a desire to maintain authority and media attention. Despite the contentious end to the partnership, Campbell and Novitzky expressed gratitude for USADA's work over the years. The UFC's relationship with USADA, which began in 2015 and included over 27,000 tests, will continue until the end of 2023, despite the recent developments.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart recently unveiled the reasons behind the deteriorating relationship between the USADA and the UFC. This process began during the past summer and was marked by disagreements over the potential return of UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

In July, UFC CEO Dana White asserted that there was a "100 percent" chance of McGregor fighting later in the year. White openly challenged the anti-doping agency's stance that McGregor, who was returning from a broken leg sustained at UFC 264, needed to be enrolled in the UFC's anti-doping program for at least six months before competing.

White, in a later clarification, aimed his comments more at the media's use of his quote. Nevertheless, it conveyed a clear message to Tygart: the UFC was not in sync with USADA's demands. USADA never received an official request for an exemption from the UFC, according to Tygart. However, the agency's stance didn't sit well with the promotion.

Recently, Tygart disclosed that he was on a call with UFC executives who informed him of the promotion's decision not to renew its contract with USADA, which had overseen the UFC's anti-doping program since 2015. Tygart was perplexed by the UFC's claim of financial concerns, as the organization had never raised this issue before and was now valued at $12 billion.

In a swift turn of events, Andre Petroski has courageously accepted the challenge of facing Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 230, despite the short notice. This bout came to fruition after Marc-Andre Barriault withdrew from their scheduled middleweight clash set to unfold at the UFC Apex, with live streaming available on ESPN+.

Initially, Petroski was inclined to decline the opportunity. He had prior commitments, including a grappling competition at the ADCC trails, but upon deeper consideration, he recognized the advantages of squaring off against fan-favorite Pereira.

Beyond the allure of Pereira's name in the MMA world, Petroski identifies the matchup as one that still plays to his strengths, even within the constraints of a condensed preparation period.

USADA to End UFC Partnership in 2024 Over McGregor Situation

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is set to terminate its partnership with the UFC's anti-doping program at the conclusion of their current contract in 2023. The decision, announced by USADA CEO Travis Tygart, came after UFC star Conor McGregor's return to the drug testing pool. Talks for an extension of the partnership between USADA and the UFC broke down, leading to the UFC's decision to discontinue the collaboration in 2024.

Tygart emphasized the strained relationship between USADA and the UFC, primarily attributed to McGregor's situation. McGregor left the anti-doping program after fracturing his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. While McGregor expressed intentions to re-enter the program, USADA regulations mandated six months of testing before his return, unless an exemption was granted.

"Kamaru Usman Steps In to Face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 After Paulo Costa's Withdrawal"

In a swift turn of events, Kamaru Usman has answered the call to replace the injured Paulo Costa and will now take on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Costa's surgery on his elbow just weeks before the fight rendered him unable to compete, leading to Usman's acceptance of the bout. This fight marks Usman's middleweight debut as he moves up from the welterweight division to co-headline the event in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

UFC 294 has seen rapid changes to both the main and co-main events. After Charles Oliveira's unfortunate withdrawal due to a training injury, the main event was adjusted to feature a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Chimaev vs. Usman now takes the co-headliner spot following Costa's inability to compete.

In a shocking turn of events, Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) sustained a severe laceration that led to his withdrawal from the UFC 294 main event against Islam Makhachev. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Alexander Volkanovski stepped in as a replacement. Oliveira took to social media to share images of the gruesome cut, accompanied by a brief apology video sporting a bandage on his left brow.

White revealed that the laceration occurred on the eve of Oliveira's scheduled flight to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for his October 21 title rematch with Makhachev. It was noted that Oliveira's team attempted to address the issue through their own connections rather than seeking the UFC's medical expertise. White suggested that reaching out to the UFC could have resulted in a better solution, stating, "They didn't call us. We would've had him go to a plastic surgeon. They would've sewed it from the inside-out... These guys never call us like they should when something happens. They call us after they get it stitched up."

In an exciting matchup, experienced strawweight fighters Gillian Robertson and Polyana Viana are slated to go head-to-head at UFC 297. Robertson confirmed this bout on social media, and an additional source knowledgeable about the booking verified it to MMA Fighting.

Both fighters are coming off recent setbacks. Robertson faced a decision loss to Tabatha Ricci at UFC on ABC 5, sending her back to the drawing board after a return to strawweight and an armbar victory over Piera Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Viana suffered an arm-triangle submission loss to Iasmin Lucindo, which came after her knockout win over Jinh Yu Frey in her previous outing.

Robertson and Viana hold UFC records of 9-6 and 4-5, respectively.

The UFC 297 headliner is expected to feature a featherweight title showdown between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.

No respite in sight for the exhausted... particularly when a mischievous caller disrupts their sleep at all hours.

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa is pushing through rigorous training for the upcoming UFC 294 pay-per-view event, all while recuperating from elbow surgery. However, his preparations are marred by an individual affiliated with Khamzat Chimaev's camp, determined to make his journey as challenging as possible.

Coach Eric Albarracin, in a recent interview with The MMA Hour, expressed his concerns about the heightened tension between the two fighters. Their hostile history traces back to an altercation at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas before UFC 279, a feud that escalated on social media in the ensuing months.

In Albarracin's words, "After that happened, people started calling us in the middle of the night, waking us up. So, there’s just been some sabotaging going on on his end, trying to keep us with the jet lag."

Bobby Green caused a major upset at UFC Fight Night 229 by knocking out Grant Dawson in the first round. Green (31-15-1 MMA, 12-9-1 UFC) displayed confidence throughout the lightweight headliner at the UFC Apex. He dropped Dawson (20-2-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) with a left hand early in the contest and forced referee Keith Peterson to step in just 33 seconds into the fight.

Green, coming off a submission win over Tony Ferguson in August, secured back-to-back victories in the lightweight division, ending Dawson's perfect record in the UFC. Green refrained from making specific callouts post-fight and expressed his desire to stay active in the octagon.