Author: Jack Wannan

1/6/25 Notebook: Saturday’s UFC Card Receives Slight Change

Welcome to the notebook, a quick catchup of all the smaller (but still important) stories from the world of MMA! If you want the notebook delivered to you every morning along with MMA’s top headlines, consider subscribing to the Knockdown Daily newsletter via Substack. It’s free! Here are the latest stories we’re following: UFC A change has … Continue reading 1/6/25 Notebook: Saturday’s UFC Card Receives Slight Change →

Why Are We Okay With Promotions Letting Old People Fight?

There's a fun tradition in hockey every year called the "Legends Classic." From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, past greats and Hall of Famers lace up their skates and play a game in front of thousands in live attendance. Players get to relive their glory days for one night, and fans have the chance to see their … Continue reading Why Are We Okay With Promotions Letting Old People Fight? →

Ren Hiramoto vs. Mikuru Asakura 2 To Headline RIZIN’s Tokyo Dome Return

The second chapter in a high-profile MMA feud will headline RIZIN's third-ever trip to the world-famous Tokyo Dome later this year. Ren Hiramoto and Mikuru Asakura will face off for the second time on May 4th, serving as the main event for "The Match 2" in Tokyo, Japan. The card is being marketed by RIZIN … Continue reading Ren Hiramoto vs. Mikuru Asakura 2 To Headline RIZIN’s Tokyo Dome Return →

Kleber Koike Regains RIZIN Featherweight Title Against Chihiro Suzuki In New Year’s Eve Instant Classic

The MMA world crossed into 2025 with a back-and-forth war out of Japan, as Kleber Koike regained the RIZIN Featherweight Championship in a tight decision result over Chihiro Suzuki. The main event, which headlined RIZIN’s annual New Year’s Eve card from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and actually went past the midnight mark … Continue reading Kleber Koike Regains RIZIN Featherweight Title Against Chihiro Suzuki In New Year’s Eve Instant Classic →

Losene Keita Stops Ronald Paradeiser In Tipsport Grand Final, Becomes Two-Division OKTAGON Champ

Losene Keita became the main character of OKTAGON's 2024 on Sunday night, gaining two-division champ status and winning the promotion's year-long Tipsport Gamechanger Tournament with a finish outcome. Keita dethroned long-time rival Ronald Paradeiser, capturing the promotion's lightweight title in the main event of OKTAGON 65 from the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. Just … Continue reading Losene Keita Stops Ronald Paradeiser In Tipsport Grand Final, Becomes Two-Division OKTAGON Champ →

12/30/24 Notebook: Donald Cerrone Eyes UFC Return

Knockdown News took a week-long vacation away from following the ins and outs of MMA, but that doesn't mean headlines weren't made. While the holiday season slowed down the world of MMA, things certainly still happened. So, to quickly recap what has gone down since our last time reporting on the sport, here's a quick … Continue reading 12/30/24 Notebook: Donald Cerrone Eyes UFC Return →

Knockdown News 2024 Fighter of the Year: Ilia Topuria

In 2024, there maybe wasn't a better two-fight combination you could make in any division within the sport than facing Alexander Volkanovski and then Max Holloway. Between the two fighters is 2,451 days of UFC Featherweight Championship history. Holloway carried the division through the mid-to-late 2010s, showing his incredible toughness and crisp boxing skills through … Continue reading Knockdown News 2024 Fighter of the Year: Ilia Topuria →

2024 Knockdown News Fighter of the Year Nominees

There's a lot of luck involved with becoming Fighter of the Year. If everything doesn't align perfectly, there's a solid chance you won't get the award. Have an injury that will sideline you for most of the year, or fight in a division where the biggest and best opportunities simply don't come your way? To … Continue reading 2024 Knockdown News Fighter of the Year Nominees →