Initially, Jackson was slated to face off against Lorenz Larkin (27-8, 2 NC MMA) in a contest that would have pitted two alumni from the PFL against one another. The latter fighter had to withdraw from the MVP card on April 14 due to a knee injury.

For a brief time, it looked as though Jason Jackson would not be making his first walk to the cage in 11 months on the third Saturday of May in the wake of Larkin's knee injury. Monday, however, Jackson received some welcome news.

[smartframe_images_embed customer-id="b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf" image-id="WmOB82G27s5V" style="width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 5347px; aspect-ratio: 5347/3565;" max-width="600"]Jason Jackson Now Faces Jeff Creighton on MVP MMA 1 May 16

In Lorenz Larkin's stead, a stalwart from the LFA has taken up the assignment of fighting Jackson in less than a month. Jeff Creighton, a cast member of the 2025 season of The Ultimate Fighter television series and an alumnus of the now-defunct Bellator MMA will trek to California on May 16 to face Jason Jackson.

This is a three-round fight at five minutes per round. Creighton, the former A1 Combat Welterweight Champion, enters this short-notice bout with a 12-2-1 record across his 15 professional contests.

Ahead of MVP MMA 1 on May 16, Creighton boasts a 5-0 record in his last five pro fights. All told, he's on a nine-fight unbeaten streak coming into this affair. He hasn't fought since late November, though. Right before the Thanksgiving holiday inside the United States, he went the distance against Diego Bianchini (10-2 MMA,) winning by unanimous decision.

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Dissecting Jason Jackson Ahead of Jeff Creighton Fight May 16

Jackson will be making his 26th walk to the cage in May on Netflix. He's posted a record of 3-2 in his last five fights dating back to November of 2023.

As previously mentioned, Jason Jackson hasn't set foot in a cage to do battle since June of last year. During the semifinals of the 2025 PFL World Tournament in Nashville, he drew Thad Jean (11-0 MMA) in the evening's main event.

Although the fight went the advertised three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show, Jackson's hopes at winning the 2025 PFL Welterweight Championship were dashed by Thad Jean, who won the fight via split decision. Jean would parlay that victory into a title fight triumph that August, disposing of Logan Storley (18-4 MMA) in the tournament final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydiDbcir0Fs

Final Thoughts: Champion vs. Champion Fight in Jason Jackson vs. Jeff Creighton

This contest is the kind of fare that Jake Paul and company had in mind when MVP MMA 1 was announced. They've already got the Rousey vs. Carano fight at the top of the bill, preceded by Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins at heavyweight and Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, also at welterweight.

All three of these contests are an advertised five rounds at five minutes per round. The addition of Jason Jackson vs. Jeff Creighton adds more excitement to MVP MMA 1 next month.

Both competitors have won titles in the past, with Jackson winning the Bellator MMA Welterweight Championship three months after Jeff Creighton won the A1 Combat Welterweight Championship in 2023. Although this fight is only slated to go three rounds, get your popcorn ready.

When two fighters with championship pedigree meet inside the cage, it's something to behold. This has the potential to be an amazing 15 minutes (or less) of action on May 16. Circle the date on your calendar if you have to, just don't miss it.

The post Welterweight Contender Secures New Adversary Weeks Before MVP Event appeared first on MMASucka.

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The two men met in the UFC 324 main event in a fight which saw the interim lightweight title on the line. On the night, Justin Gaethje beat Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision, 48–47, 49–46, 49–46. Gaethje is booked to headline UFC Freedom 250 in a shot at becoming the undisputed lightweight champion.

Paddy Pimblett wants a Rematch

"I really hope we get that rematch some day"

Speaking to IFLTV at a boxing event where teammate and former UFC star, Molly McCann continued her boxing career, Pimblett confirmed that he would be fighting in "twelve weeks or something like that". He went on to say, "I’m gonna be back and someone’s getting muftied. I’m coming back for revenge after I lost my last fight. It’s one of them. Everyone loses and that’s how you learn. It’s how you get better. I probably learned more from losing that fight than winning seven other UFC fights, but I’ll be back better and stronger. And everyone’s gonna see.”

Paddy Pimblett went on to say, "I’ve always said it’s in me destiny that I’m gonna be the world champion, and I will. At some point in your career you need a loss to realize stuff, and I think that was that point in my career. And hopefully I get the rematch with Gaethje, I got nothing but respect for him but he’s a dirty bastard poking me in the eyes. So I really hope we get that rematch some day.”

Eye Pokes and International Fight Week

On the night, Justin Gaethje was credited with two knockdowns over Paddy Pimblett.

[caption id="attachment_207508" align="alignnone" width="1024"] January 24, 2026, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: JUSTIN GAETHJE 28-5 of Arvada, CO defeats PADDY PIMBLETT 23-4 of Liverpool, Merseyside, England by a unanimous decision 48-47,49-46,49-46 during UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Las Vegas USA - ZUMAo117 20260124_zsp_o117_043 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax[/caption]

Replays clearly show that Pimblett was compromised as a result of eye pokes at the hands (fingers) of Gaethje. Pimblett spoke after the bout, stating that his depth perception was off as a result of the eye pokes he suffered. With that being said, it was clear that Gaethje was better than Pimblett on the night.

As for Paddy Pimblett's International Fight Week opponent, we know it won't be Gaethje. There are two potential opponents, one of which has called Pimblett out recently.

Benoit, in a fantastic video, called out 'Roast beef', Pimblett for a scrap in July.

🚨 Benoît Saint Denis 🇫🇷 tease son prochain adversaire ! 🔥

Le Français a faim de rosbeef. 🥩

➡️ Un prochain combat face à Paddy Pimblett ? 🗡️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

(via IG - @BenoitSt_Denis & @BigFernand_FR) pic.twitter.com/UPEDOPibWi

— ActuMMA (@actu_mma) April 18, 2026

The Frenchman is a tough match for anyone in the division.

We also know that the megastar that is Conor McGregor is set to return during International Fight Week and an all European affair could easily headline the event. The two men have followed the same path from CageWarriors to the UFC, and the build-up to a potential bout could be extremely entertaining.

The post “Dirty Bast**d” – Paddy Pimblett Calls for Rematch After UFC 324 Loss appeared first on MMASucka.

In the second to last bout of the evening, Charles Jourdain announced himself to the rest of the bantamweight division with a statement-making victory over the established Kyler Phillips. 

Find out more about some of the most interesting post-event facts about the main card of UFC Winnipeg down below. 

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UFC Winnipeg: Gauge Young def. Thiago Moisés

Gauge Young

Young has now extended his current win streak to two in a row after UFC Winnipeg, with both of those victories coming by way of the scorecards. His triumph over Moisés was also his first split decision since his fourth amateur contest back in 2019

He is now 4-2 in his last six scraps

Thiago Moisés

Moises was one of only three Brazilian fighters that competed on the main card of UFC Winnipeg. His loss to Young was his second consecutive setback after losing to Jared Gordon almost a year prior. It also tied his defeat to Benoit Saint-Denis as the most he had ever been outstruck in a UFC bout, losing out by 77 significant strikes to Young.

His UFC record now stands at an even 8-8. 

UFC Winnipeg: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karine Silva

Jasmine Jasudavicius

Jasudavicius has now fought in her native Canada four times in her last five fights inside the Octagon. It's also her ninth victory as a professional by decision. Other than her match against Manon Fiorot, she has faced almost exclusively Brazil-based competitors in those five bouts  

Her UFC record now stands at 9-3.   

Karine Silva

Silva's appearance at UFC Winnipeg was her first non-numbered event fight since 2024. It also was her first time fighting in Canada as a professional. 

She is now 2-3 in her last five matches. 

UFC Winnipeg: Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo

Jai Herbert

Herbert's meeting with Nallo is the first time he had fought an opponent over the age of 30 in his last six contests since his clash with Kyle Nelson back in 2022. It also marked his first win by knockout in almost five years since starching Khama Worthy in 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196

He was the only English fighter competing at UFC Winnipeg.

Mandel Nallo

Nallo's loss to Herbert spells an end to his previous five-bout winning streak. All of his losses as a professional have occurred by stoppage, three of which ended because of strikes

He is now 4-4 with one no-contest in tilts under a major company’s banner, as he had also competed in Bellator from 2017 to 2023

UFC Winnipeg: Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips

Charles Jourdain

Jourdain's win over Phillips in UFC Winnipeg is his third straight victory. It was also his third-ever triumph as a professional by decision

He is now 3-0 since dropping down to bantamweight in 2024, earning a post-fight bonus in all them

Kyler Phillips

Phillips' setback to Jourdain is his third loss in a row since March 2024. It's also the first time he had received a post-fight bonus since 2021.

He still has yet to be finished as a professional, losing all his post-amateur bouts via the judge’s scorecards. 

His UFC record now stands at 6-4.

UFC Winnipeg: Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns 

Mike Malott

Malott's win over Burns served  his fourth consecutive since losing to Neal Magny back in 2024 at UFC 297. He has now won six times by knockout as a professional 

His last six Octagon matches have occurred in his native Canada, with UFC Winnipeg being the first time he has headlined a card in the promotion. The occasion made Malott just the third Canadian in the organization's history to take top-billing for an event in the country; the others being Rory Macdonald and Georges St-Pierre

Gilbert Burns

His loss to Malott was his fifth in a row, with three of those bouts ending by strikes

His appearance at UFC Winnipeg was also his first main event showcasing since his championship scrap with Kamaru Usman back in 2021 at UFC 258

He retires from mixed martial arts with a total professional record of 22-10, along with a UFC record of 15-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGk8VIYOffs

The post UFC Winnipeg Post-Event Facts: Electrifying Contender Stuns in Front of Home Crowd appeared first on MMASucka.

Malott's adversary, Gilbert Burns (22-10 MMA, 15-10 UFC) was heading into hostile territory for the UFC Winnipeg main event with the partisan crowd firmly against him. If Mike Malott was to give his countrymen a bout they'd never forget, he'd need to bring out the fireworks.

Although the UFC Winnipeg main event was slated for an advertised five rounds at five minutes per round to close the evening's activities in Manitoba, Malott needed less than two and a half rounds to complete his assignment in satisfactory fashion. Midway through the third round of action, he uncorked a vicious right hook, peppering Gilbert Burns with ground and pound. Referee Herb Dean waved off the contest shortly thereafter.

[smartframe_images_embed customer-id="b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf" image-id="WmOBxxxkRsx2" style="width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 7296px; aspect-ratio: 7296/4864;" max-width="600"]Swan Song for Mike Malott's Opponent, Gilbert Burns

After the official decision was announced by Joe Martinez inside the fabled Octagon, Gilbert Burns used his post-fight interview with Paul Felder to inform those watching in the arena and on Paramount Plus that Saturday's contest was to be his last as a professional MMA fighter, exiting the sport on a five-fight losing streak. Before officially revealing his retirement, he acknowledged the hardships of this past training camp.

"I put in a great camp," Burns said. "I sacrificed so much. My coach [knows] I left no stone unturned. Harry [Hooft] knows, Daniel knows, all my guys at Kill Cliff [FC,] I worked very hard but I couldn't show it. Shout out to Mike Malott and his team. You guys did a great job."

"I think that's it," he continued. "I think I had a great career. I fought so hard. I want to win so bad, but, yeah, I think that's it." Burns' retirement announcement was met with applause from the audience and Paul Felder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35mNqsBoAeY

Mike Malott on Emotional Reaction to Victory in UFC Winnipeg

In the aftermath of Malott's knockout win on Saturday night, he was overcome with joy. Upon taking the podium backstage for the post-fight press conference, he discussed why he reacted the way he did.

"I pour so much of myself into the preparation in this sport and it's been a long journey for me," he said. "It feels great getting that release after fighting a tough guy. Yeah, just time to let it all out after a fight and feel all the feelings."

By the time the show wrapped up, 14,051 spectators paid to see UFC Winnipeg on Saturday night. Mike Malott talked about what it was like to have a partisan audience urging him on in the main event over the weekend.

"I've been so blessed fighting in the UFC in general, but especially in Canada," he said, "the fans always show up for me and let me know that they enjoy what I do. These moments will be cherished by me for the rest of my life. I'm going to look back as an old man one day with a lot of really cool memories."

Final Thoughts on Gilbert Burns' Retirement and Mike Malott's Victory

Simply put, Saturday night's UFC Winnipeg main event was a changing of the guard in the welterweight ranks, one that the entire world was witness to. On one side of the pairing, you had Gilbert Burns, a man who was seriously contemplating retirement after a fight at the Meta Apex resulted in a concussion last May.

Whether fans know the retirement of a fighter is coming or not, it's always an emotional moment to see a veteran contender take off the gloves and leave them in the middle of the Octagon at the end of a fight. Burns knew his time in the UFC was short and he wrapped up his career in defeat, though he fought valiantly over the weekend.

In regard to the victorious Mike Malott, this fight was a resume-building contest on Saturday. He's now won four bouts consecutively and with this latest victory coming against a ranked adversary, he himself could find his name in the rankings at 170 very shortly.

The post Rising Welterweight Opens Up After Thrilling Finish in Winnipeg Saturday Night appeared first on MMASucka.

Live coverage of UFC Winnipeg begins in just a little while at 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT with the prelims. Main card action caps the evening at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT. Stateside, this event can be seen gavel-to-gavel via Paramount Plus. 

After a perfect weigh-in window yesterday morning, tonight's schedule of 12 fights will take place without issue.

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At the top of the bill tonight, the welterweights take to the fabled Octagon for a battle between No. 11 contender Gilbert Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 MMA) and Mike Malott (13-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC.) This is a five-round fight at five minutes per round to close out the show.

UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event: Kyler Phillips vs. Charles Jourdain

Immediately prior to the main event, the action shifts to the bantamweight division for a contest matching Kyler Phillips (12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) with Charles Jourdain (17-8-1 MMA, 8-7-1 UFC.) It'll be a three-round fight at five minutes per round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oir0yn9Y_cw

Rest of the Card

Also on the UFC Winnipeg main card tonight, you'll be treated to a lightweight bout matching Mandel Nallo (14-3 MMA, UFC promotional debut) with Jai Herbert (13-6-1 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC,) a women's flyweight contest between No. 7 contender Jasmine Jasudavicius (14-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and No. 9 contender Karine Silva (19-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC,) and a lightweight affair pairing Thiago Moises (19-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) against Gauge Young (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC.)

Before the main card begins tonight, our staff made picks on the fights. See if their selections match yours at home.

UFC Winnipeg Results:

Main Card (Tonight, 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT- Paramount Plus)

UFC Winnipeg Main Event: Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns by TKO (Right Hook to Ground and Pound) at 2:08 into Round 3. Gilbert Burns retired from MMA following card. 

Co-Main Event: Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo by TKO (Left Hook to Ground and Pound) at 2:05 into Round 1. Nallo: Making UFC promotional debut tonight.

Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karine Silva by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

Gauge Young def. Thiago Moises by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28.)

Prelims: (Tonight, 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT- Paramount Plus)

UFC Winnipeg Featured Prelim: Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja by KO (Left Hook) at 1:20 into Round 1.   Barbosa: Making UFC promotional debut tonight.

Co-Featured Prelim: Robert Valentin def. Julien Leblanc by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:22 into Round 1. Leblanc: Making UFC promotional debut tonight.

Gokhan Saricam def. Tanner Boser by TKO (Straight Right to Ground and Pound) at 4:43 into Round 2. Saricam: Making UFC promotional debut tonight. Ninth career victory by way of knockout. 

Melissa Croden def. Dariya Zheleznyakova by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

JJ Aldrich def. Jamey-Lyn Horth by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

John Castaneda vs. Mark Vologdin ends in a Majority Draw (29-27 Castaneda, 28-28, 28-28.) Catchweight: 139 lbs. Vologdin: Making UFC promotional debut tonight.

John Yannis def. Jaime Siraj by TKO (Elbows from Ground and Pound) at 2:43 into Round 1. Siraj: Making UFC promotional debut tonight.

The post UFC Winnipeg Results: Exciting Saturday Night of Action North of the Border! appeared first on MMASucka.

CLICK HERE to order the event and support our website. This card is an amazing way to start your weekend of mixed martial arts action before the UFC kicks off in Canada later the same day.

KSW 117 Main Event Championship Bout

KSW 117: Pawel Pawlak

Set for his fourth title defense as the middleweight king of KSW, Pawel Pawlak (25-4-1) will defend the crown against arguable the greatest fighter to ever step foot on a KSW canvas in Mamed Khalidov (38-8-2) in the KSW 117 main event. Pawlak earned the championship by defeating Tomasz Romanowski nearly three years ago at KSW 83 in June 2023 with a fifth-round TKO, which was actually headlined by Khalidov and Scott Askham.

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Pawlak's first two title defense would both be decision wins at KSW 89 and KSW 96, respectively. His most recent defense would come at KSW 113 in December 2025, earning a performance of the night with a fifth-round TKO victory over challenger Laid Zerhouni. With 25 victories in his career, 11 of those wins have come by KO/TKO, four by submission, and 10 by decision.

KSW 117: Mamed Khalidov

A star of the organization since his debut at KSW 7 in June 2007, Khalidov is arguable one of the top superstars in MMA history to have never stepped foot into the UFC octagon. As stated in an interview with MMASucka in years past, Khalidov stated there were talks to enter the UFC, but his goal was always to fight under the PRIDE banner. During his near 20-year run in KSW, the 45-year old Khalidov has amassed an impressive 22-4-2 record under the organization's banner.

No doubt a finisher in his mixed martial arts career, 16 of his 38 career wins have come by KO/TKO, 18 by submission, and only four requiring a decision nod. Recently, Khalidov has only appeared in a mixed martial arts cage twice since 2023 (also appearing once in a professional boxing bout.) It has been almost 10 years (May 2017) since we have seen Khalidov have to win by decision. His last KSW appearance saw him earn a second-round armbar submission win at KSW 100 against Adrian Bartosinki in November 2024.

KSW 117: Co-Main Event Title Matchup

KSW 117: Phil De Fries

One of the greatest champions to ever dawn the KSW gold, Phil De Fries (28-6) will his unprecedented 14th defense of his heavyweight gold. De Fries first won the championship all the way back at KSW 43 in April 2018, an eight-year reign to this point in his defense. He has practically cleared out the KSW heavyweight division on more than one occasion. With 28 career victories to his name, "And Still" has earned 15 submission victories in addition to eight KO/TKOs for a finish rate of 82% over his near 17 year professional career. Another title defense would continue to cement his legacy as one of KSW's greatest competitors.

Marcin Wojcik

Another long-time KSW veteran, Marcin Wojcik (22-10) has fought on-and-off again for KSW since his organizational debut at KSW 34 in March 2016. A dangerous finisher as well in his own right, 11 of his career 22 wins have come by KO/TKO along with an additional eight by submission giving him a career finishing victory rate of 86%. Most recently, Wojcik is coming off of a unanimous decision nod over UFC and Bellator veteran Augusto Sakai at KSW 113 in December 2025. With knockout power in his hands, as displayed prior to the Sakai matchup knocking out Ibragim Chuzhigaev, Wojcik will need to try and catch the heavyweight king in order to pull off the monumental upset.

Bout Lineup

Pawel Pawlak(C) defeated Mamed Khalidov via 4th round-TKO

Phil De Fries(C) defeated Marcin Wojcik via Round 1-submission

Daniel Rutkowski defeated Oleksiy Polischuck via unanimous decision

Andi Vrtacic defeated Albert Odzimkowski via Round 1-TKO

Marcelo Morelli defeated Werlleson Martins via unanimous decision

Hugo Deux defeated Wellsson Paiva via Round 2-TKO

Tobiasz Le defeated Sebastian Decowski via unanimous decision

Nacim Belhouachi defeated Jan Masek via unanimous decision

Luka Vrtaclic defeated Jacek Gac via first round TKO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcMl_mLa8Qw

The post KSW 117 Results: Two Title Fights Headline Thrilling April 18 Show appeared first on MMASucka.

UFC Winnipeg Main Event

For much of his run at welterweight, Burns has remained one of the most elite fighters in the weight class, with him even challenging for the belt in what became the hardest defense of then champion Kamaru Usman’s reign. Recently, however, a four-fight losing skid has seen “Durinho” begin to slip away from top-contender status, with two of his last losses ending in knockouts ahead of UFC Winnipeg.     

For the fifth straight time, Malott steps into the Octagon inside a Canadian venue. Compiling a splendid three-fight win streak, “Proper” is seeking to record another fantastic performance in his first promotional main event.

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UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event

Joining the UFC in 2020, Phillips has remained a stellar competitor at 135-lb, proven by his triumphs over fellow organizational veterans in Pedro Munhoz and Song Yadong. Over the last year, however, “The Matrix” has been unable to get much momentum going up the stacked bantamweight ladder, with disappointing losses to Rob Font and Vinicius Oliveira keeping him from entering the upper echelon of the division.       

Following an extensive run at featherweight that saw him go 6-6-1 in his last 13 contests, Jourdain opted instead to move down in weight for the very first time in his career. Although he had more pounds to cut as a bantamweight, the transition has paid off in dividends for “Air,” with him winning his last two consecutive bouts, stopping both Victor Henry and Davey Grant by submission.   

More Bouts On the UFC Winnipeg Main Card

Rounding out the UFC Winnipeg main card, Mandel Nallo and Jai Herbert face off. Then, Jasmine Jasudavicius and Karine Silva collide in a fun women’s flyweight scrap. Also, lightweight luminary Thiago Moisés battles Gauge Young. Finally, New York fighter Dennis Buzukja clashes with Márcio Barbosa.  

UFC Winnipeg Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

• UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
• PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
• ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.

Find our UFC Winnipeg picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after PFL Belfast: 

1. Hank Strandberg: 45-26
2. Frazer Krohn: 41-31
3. Drew Zuhosky: 31-39
4. Andrew Benjamin: 11-10

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

Márcio Barbosa -450

     Vs.

Dennis Buzukja +350

     FEATHERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision        
Drew Zuhosky: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision 
Frazer Krohn: Barbosa by Unanimous Decision         

Staff picking Barbosa: 3

Staff picking Buzukja: 0

Gauge Young -133

Vs.

Thiago Moisés +113

             LIGHTWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Moisés by Unanimous Decision                                                   
Drew Zuhosky: Young by Unanimous Decision        
Frazer Kron: Moisés by Unanimous Decision   

Staff picking Young: 1

Staff picking Moisés: 2

Jasmine Jasudavicius -300

Vs.

Karine Silva +250

  WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT 

Hank Strandberg: Jasudavicius by Unanimous Decision                                                               
Drew Zuhosky: Jasudavicius by Unanimous Decision       
Frazer Kron: Jasudavicius by Split Decision                                                    

Staff picking Jasudavicius: 3

Staff picking Silva: 0

Mandel Nallo -170

     Vs.

Jai Herbert +145

            LIGHTWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Nallo by Second Round Knockout         
Drew Zuhosky: Herbert by First Round Knockout     
Frazer Krohn: Herbert by Second Round Knockout       

Staff picking Nallo: 1

Staff picking Herbert: 2          

Charles Jourdain -145 

Vs.

Kyler Phillips +125

              BANTAMWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision       
Frazer Krohn: Jourdain by Unanimous Decision          

Staff picking Jourdain: 3

Staff picking Phillips: 0

Mike Malott -280

Vs.

Gilbert Burns +240

                WELTERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Malott by First Round Knockout    
Drew Zuhosky: Malott by Unanimous Decision                                                      
Frazer Kron: Burns by Third Round Knockout     

Staff picking Malott: 2

Staff picking Burns: 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oir0yn9Y_cw

The post UFC Winnipeg Staff Picks: Exciting Welterweight Prospect Looks to Shine appeared first on MMASucka.

Live coverage of UFC Winnipeg begins at 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT with the prelims on Saturday. Main card action follows at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT. Stateside, you can see UFC Winnipeg from start to finish on Paramount Plus.

Initially, Dana White's promotion had planned to present 13 fights on the schedule this coming weekend. Thursday, however, the intended slate changed. An undercard fight that was to have paired Mitch Raposo against Allan Nascimento was canceled after the former took ill.  This contest has already been rebooked for June 20 inside Meta Apex in Enterprise, NV.

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Main, Co-Main Events of UFC Winnipeg Locked In After Weigh-In Window

Friday morning, the official weigh-in window took place. Luckily, the postponement of Raposo vs. Nascimento to late June was the only hiccup on the road to UFC Winnipeg on Saturday evening.

All fighters weighed-in without issue ahead of Saturday's card, including those booked to compete at the top of the bill. Saturday's main attraction happens at welterweight between Gilbert Burns (171 lbs) and Mike Malott (171 lbs.) This is a five-round fight at five minutes per round to close the activities.

Your co-main event will take place in the bantamweight division when Kyler Phillips (135 lbs) battles Charles Jourdain (136 lbs.) It'll be a three-round bout at five minutes per round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tum3437ez_I

UFC Winnipeg Weigh-In Results:

Main Card: (Tomorrow, 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT- Paramount Plus)

Main Event: Gilbert Burns (171 lbs) vs. Mike Malott (171 lbs) Welterweight

Co-Main Event: Kyler Phillips (135 lbs) vs. Charles Jourdain (136 lbs) Bantamweight

Mandel Nallo (155 1/2 lbs) vs. Jai Herbert (155 1/2 lbs) Lightweight-Nallo making UFC promotional debut in UFC Winnipeg.

Jasmine Jasudavicius (125 lbs) vs. Karine Silva (125 1/2 lbs) Women's Flyweight

Thiago Moises (156 lbs) vs. Gauge Young (155 1/2 lbs) Lightweight

Dennis Buzukja (145 1/2 lbs) vs. Marcio Barbosa (145 lbs) Featherweight- Barbosa making UFC promotional debut in UFC Winnipeg

Prelims: (Tomorrow, 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT- Paramount Plus)

Featured Prelim: Julien Leblanc (185 1/2 lbs) vs. Robert Valentin (186 lbs) Middleweight- Leblanc making UFC promotional debut in UFC Winnipeg.

Co-Featured Prelim: Tanner Boser (244 1/2 lbs) vs. Gokhan Saricam (244 1/2 lbs) Heavyweight- Saricam making UFC promotional debut in UFC Winnipeg.

Melissa Croden (135 1/2 lbs) vs. Dariya Zheleznyakova (136 lbs) Women's Bantamweight

JJ Aldrich (125 1/2 lbs) vs. Jamey Lyn-Horth (126 lbs) Women's Flyweight

John Castaneda (139 lbs) vs. Mark Vologdin (138 1/2 lbs) Catchweight: 139 lbs

Jaime Siraj (136 lbs) vs. John Yannis (136 lbs) Bantamweight- Siraj making UFC promotional debut in UFC Winnipeg. 

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The 25-year-old challenges reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya "Little Piranha" Wakamatsu at ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Avazbek Kholmirzaev is one of the most dangerous challengers in the flyweight MMA division. He carries a 9-1 ONE record with eight victories via finish, backed by a six-bout winning streak, and his nickname "Ninzya" – meaning ninja – reflects the all-round finishing ability he brings to every fight.

A former military serviceman, Kholmirzaev is chasing a prize no fighter from his country has ever claimed.

Avazbek Kholmirzaev Says Mindset and Determination Will Make the Difference

[caption id="attachment_207481" align="alignnone" width="696"] Image Courtesy of ONE Championship.[/caption]

Avazbek Kholmirzaev has kept his preparation focused and his message direct. The Uzbek challenger is not overcomplicating his approach to the biggest fight of his career, backing the qualities that have carried him to eight promotional finishes to carry him to the gold on April 29.

"I am hungry, disciplined, and always improving. I believe my mindset and my determination will make the difference in this fight. I think it will be a good fight. I will do my best and try to get the win. Right now, I'm focused only on this fight. We will see what happens next," Avazbek Kholmirzaev said.

The 25-year-old has finished opponents via strikes and submissions throughout his ONE career, making him a genuine threat in every phase of a flyweight MMA contest.

Wakamatsu's 10-4 ONE record and back-to-back title fight victories reflect a champion who has been tested at the highest level, and Kholmirzaev knows he is stepping into the ring against one of the division's most experienced fighters.

Challenger Plans to Impose His Game in All Areas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bRDaYkXRyE

The Raqobat Gym representative has mapped out a clear game plan for the title fight. Avazbek Kholmirzaev respects what Wakamatsu brings to the ring, but he makes his own intentions equally clear.

"Wakamatsu is a very good fighter, strong and experienced. But inside the [ring] there is no friendship. I am coming to win. I will just try to show my own game. My game plan is to control the fight, stay focused, and use my skills in all areas – striking, wrestling, and grappling. I am ready for every situation," he explained.

Wakamatsu is no easy target for Avazbek Kholmirzaev. The reigning champion knocked out legendary Adriano Moraes to claim the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 172 in front of his home fans, then defended against reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio via TKO at ONE 173. He enters April 29 on a five-bout winning streak and in the form of his life.

Uzbek Fighter Avazbek Kholmirzaev Says This Is Only the Beginning

Avazbek Kholmirzaev is thinking beyond the title fight itself. The Uzbek has made clear that claiming the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship in Tokyo would not be the end of his ambitions but the start of something bigger.

"Fans can expect an exciting and high-level fight. I will come forward, fight with heart, and look for the finish. Thank you to everyone who supports me. I will do my best to make you proud. This is just the beginning – I am coming for the top," he said.

Becoming Uzbekistan's first ONE World Champion inside a packed Ariake Arena would be one of the most significant results in the country's combat sports history. Avazbek Kholmirzaev has the finishing ability, the momentum, and the motivation to make it happen on April 29.

ONE SAMURAI 1 takes place on Wednesday, April 29, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Fans can watch the global PPV on live.onefc.com.

The post Uzbek MMA Fighter Is ‘Coming for the Top’ at ONE SAMURAI 1 appeared first on MMASucka.

Charles Jourdain Aims to Defend Home Country in Winnipeg vs. Strong TUF Alum

Accepting what will be one of the most high-profile bouts of his entire career, Charles Jourdain will make the walk to the Octagon this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Winnipeg. The fight will mark the 30-year old’s third consecutive promotional appearance at a Canada-based show.

It will also be his first overall bout of 2026 following an extensive six month layoff, last seen in action last October at UFC Vancouver. In his third contest as a bantamweight, Charles Jourdain is set to trade blows with veteran competitor Kyler Phillips.

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Sizing Up Charles Jourdain's Opponent, Kyler Phillips

Practically born into the realm of fighting, Phillips has been a martial artist for nearly his entire life. First learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at just three years old, the California native was competing in his first striking matches before he entered high school. Holding titles in both BJJ, Judo, and wrestling, “The Matrix” possesses one of the most well-rounded tool boxes out of almost everyone on the UFC roster. 

A professional mixed martial artist since 2016, Phillips came to prominence while participating on the Ultimate Fighter season 27, losing to future tournament winner Brad Katona. Making his debut in the UFC in 2020, the MMA Lab product has risen to become a talented prospect in the company’s stacked 135-lb class, proven by his victories over skilled opponents like Raoni Barcelos and Song Yadong. While recent losses to Rob Font and Vinicius Oliveira have halted his ascension, Phillips is still widely-viewed as a premier athlete outside the rankings. 

Charles Jourdain Burst Onto Bantamweight Scene Following Exit from Featherweight

For much of his initial stint in the UFC, Charles Jourdain had fought primarily at featherweight, other than fighting at lightweight in his organizational debut back in 2019 against Desmond Green. Recording 13 scraps in the weight class, “Air” had encountered his fair share of ups and downs, scoring incredible triumphs over Choi Doo-ho, Lando Vannata, and Ricardo Ramos.

Unfortunately, setbacks to more established opposition like Nathaniel Wood, Sean Woodson, and Jean Silva would prompt the Canadian to shed 10 lbs in a drop down to bantamweight. 

The move wound up paying off in spades for him, because in his freshman outing in the division at UFC Fight Night 246, Charles Jourdain put on a masterclass against seasoned adversary Victor Henry. Getting the American to the canvas, he ended up finishing the fight in the second round, catching Henry in a tight guillotine choke, making it the first time “La Mangosta” had been stopped by submission in his career spanning more than 30 bouts. 

He then solidified his place as a true bantamweight prospect last year in Vancouver in his anticipated clash with another Ultimate Fighter standout in Davey Grant. Dominating the Englishman from the start of their engagement, Charles Jourdain bested Grant with another guillotine, ending the fight in just over three minutes. The victory not only netted Jourdain his first in over a year, it also granted him his second back-to-back Performance of the Night award.   

Now 2-0 in the weight category, Jourdain is seeking to announce himself as a potential contender at bantamweight when he makes the trip out to Winnipeg this Saturday. Having previously held a ranking in the division at one point, Phillips is easily the most skilled fighter that the Canadian sensation has crossed paths with in his new home at 135-lb.

A highlight-reel performance in the co-main event could set up Charles Jourdain for a major step up in competition sometime later in 2026. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Exl9SxjMlw

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