October was a memorable month within the blended martial arts world. UFC made vital progress on an antitrust lawsuit, championship data have been damaged and future stars stepped into the highlight.
UFC is deep in a authorized battle over fighter compensation and restrictive contracts. A type of lawsuits approaches a settlement after a serious courtroom replace. Contained in the Octagon, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria emerged as frontrunners for 2024 Fighter of the Yr. Francis Ngannou returned, Jon Jones dodged a figurative bullet and extra.
Let’s study 5 of the most important tales in MMA this month.
UFC almost settles one class motion lawsuit
October noticed vital motion within the UFC antitrust lawsuits. Decide Richard Boulware granted preliminary approval on a settlement between TKO Group, UFC’s mother or father firm, and the plaintiffs of Cung Le vs. Zuffa. The 2 events agreed on a $335 million settlement with roughly $115 million protecting authorized charges. Fighters competing within the UFC between 2010 and 2017 are eligible for compensation. The decide beforehand declined a joint settlement for the Le vs. Zuffa and Kajan Johnson vs. Zuffa circumstances, citing considerations over the payout and lack of adjustments to UFC’s restrictive contracts. The Johnson vs. Zuffa lawsuit continues to be unresolved because it primarily focuses on UFC’s contracts.
Jon Jones has fees in opposition to him dropped
Jones has one much less battle to arrange for. The UFC heavyweight champion, who defends the title in opposition to Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Nov. 16, reached an settlement to have assault fees in opposition to him dismissed. The costs associated to an altercation between Jones and Crystal Martinez, an agent for UFC’s anti-doping program making an attempt to gather a urine pattern. Decide Asra Elliott permitted a pre-adjudication settlement, per MMA Combating, to drop misdemeanor fees for assault and interference with communications. Jones should full 4 hours of anger administration applications and be with out incident for 90 days.
I want to lengthen my thanks to the justice system for reaching a immediate decision on this matter, which affirms my innocence and allows me to take care of my deal with the upcoming struggle. I’m eagerly anticipating the chance to defend my heavyweight title on November sixteenth…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 29, 2024
Pereira, Topuria lead the Fighter of the Yr race
The 2024 Fighter of the Yr race is down to 2 males: Pereira and Topuria. Which facet of the talk you fall in relies on what you worth extra: Pereira’s exercise or Topuria’s high quality of opponents. Pereira repeatedly rescued the UFC this 12 months, headlining two of their greatest playing cards — UFC 300 and Worldwide Battle Week — on comparatively brief discover. Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Roundtree Jr. in 175 days, setting the report for the shortest time for 3 consecutive UFC title defenses.
Topuria has fought as soon as fewer than his fellow champion, however you’ll be able to’t rival the standard of Topuria’s wins. The UFC featherweight champion knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, two of the three all-time featherweight kings. Holloway and Volkanovski are adorned champions comparatively of their prime. Prochazka and Hill have been former UFC champions however neither notched a title protection.Â
Whichever approach you lean, you’ll be able to wager Pereira and Topouria will likely be cornerstones for the promotion in 2025.
Ngannou wins battle in opposition to Renan Ferreira, continues struggle with Dana White
Ngannou had a lot to show at PFL’s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view on Oct. 19. Ngannou’s struggle in opposition to Ferreira was an evening of many troublesome firsts: his first MMA bout in 33 months, a bounce again after his first knockout loss ever and — most troublesome — his first struggle because the loss of life of his 15-month-old son Kobe.
Ngannou thrived as soon as the bell rang. He discovered a gap, took down Ferreira and knocked him unconscious with floor strikes to say the inaugural PFL tremendous struggle heavyweight title. Ngannou brazenly wept after the bell rang, honoring his youngster.
“I simply need to say please, bear in mind my son, bear in mind my son Kobe,” Ngannou mentioned throughout hist post-fight speech. “I dedicate this one to him as his father.
“I solely took this struggle due to him, I needed to struggle for him and I have completed it. I hope [fans] can bear in mind his title as a result of with out Kobe, we would not be right here tonight. I would not have fought.”
FIRST. ROUND. FINISH!
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 19, 2024
Ngannou’s return to MMA additionally introduced baggage. Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White have usually been at odds since Ngannou left the promotion in January 2023. Issues took a private flip throughout UFC 308 struggle week. Ngannou accused White of spiteful lies; in the meantime, White accused Ngannou of utilizing an alleged language barrier to color himself as a great man.
“I feel Dana’s making an attempt to make issues as much as purchase good religion within the place he has misplaced,” Ngannou informed Sirius XM’s “Battle Nation.” “Dana has misplaced on this scenario… and he can’t stand it. Bro, I gained all the things: I left. It is been virtually two years, and the man continues to be on the market, he cannot dwell with out hounding me. No matter all the things that occurred, I am not about him.”
“Francis is not a great man,” White retorted throughout the UFC 308 post-fight presser convention. “He performs a great man. ‘Duh, duh I do not perceive the language,’ so he looks as if he is a pleasant man. He isn’t. And he is simply not a man that I needed to be in enterprise with. We’ll by no means be in enterprise collectively. We do not like one another.”
Cris Cyborg makes historical past
Cyborg continues to carve out an unmatched legacy. The 19-year professional made her Skilled Fighters League debut on Oct. 19 on the promotion’s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view. Cyborg defeated Larissa Pacheco to win the inaugural PFL tremendous fights ladies’s featherweight championship. Cyborg was already the one fighter — male or feminine — to win championships in 4 main promotions. She’s additionally the particular person to win 5 main MMA titles, including the PFL belt to a trophy case that includes Bellator, Invicta, Strikeforce and UFC championships.Â
Cyborg (28-2, 1 NC) succeded on the first cease on her self-defined three-fight retirement tour. The reigning Bellator and PFL champion might feasibly retire subsequent 12 months, marking 20 years since her skilled debut.
