The UFC brand has never been bigger and it has in large part been due to the fact that the year saw a very consistent schedule of superstars compete in key blockbuster matchups.

2024 saw Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili, Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill, Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway, and more just to name a few.

After such a marquee year, one would imagine that it would be difficult to make a list that competes with the one we made last year.  Instead, it speaks to the strength of the talent that a whole new wave of fighters has broken through to become not only contenders but bonafide stars that the fans are excited about headlining major events.

The post Top MMA Fights to Make in 2025 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The intrigue for fights to be made in 2024 may be higher than it has been for many years after recent events in the world of MMA.

With the acquisition of Bellator MMA by the PFL and the return of several big stars on the horizon, the number of fights that could be made in the next twelve months is plentiful.  Which makes narrowing this list down far more difficult than it was the year prior.

2022 saw several of the fights from the 2021 list happen.  However, none of the fights from last years list materialized which speaks to the parity that was seen in 2023 and was evidenced by the eight UFC titles that changed hands.  Going into 2024, these are the top bouts that would be gigantic for the MMA calendar.

5. Jake Paul vs Mike Perry

Never has “The Problem Child” been closer to a real MMA fight than he is now.  The announcement of his MMA debut with the PFL was met with great fanfare and felt like a sign of great things to come.  However, his debut being roughly 20 months away from the announcement has taken the wind out of the sails of the news.

Furthermore, it feels like the time is now or never for Jake Paul to finally step into the cage.  Paul’s focus on the stars of mixed martial arts has been a thing of the past for the last several months.  Following his victory over Nate Diaz in August, Paul turned his attention to rising boxing contender Andre August for his most recent bout this month and shortly after it was announced that he would be working with Team USA’s Olympic boxing team in 2024.  While Paul made his name in combat sports by targeting former MMA champions and legends, it would appear that the next phase of his fighting career will see him focusing on his contemporaries that specialize in the sweet science.

Enter Mike Perry, whose post-UFC career has seen him become Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s breakout star.  His run over the last two years has seen him compete in the Triad Combat ring to notching victories over the likes of Michael “Venom” Page, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez.  “Platinum” is also no stranger to speaking his mind and bringing his brashness to the pre-fight festivities.

While Perry would enter the bout with a fair amount of experience, the youth and size of Paul would be expected to equalize the disparity.  Taking into account that Paul was also an established wrestler in high school and “The Problem Child” appears to have the perfect dance partner for his PFL debut later this year.

The post Top MMA Fights to Make in 2024 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Regardless of the result — boxing might have worse judging than MMA, which is saying something — it’s clear that Ngannou has a future in the sweet science, if he wants it. Already, there is talk of “The Predator” being ranked among the heavyweight division, and a fight with Anthony Joshua has been floated. There’s another option on the table as well: a much-talked about crossover fight with Deontay Wilder. That’s one that PFL Founder Donn Davis would like to see, and he’s open to a mixed rules bout.

Wilder is one of the few boxing heavyweights to train in MMA, and has been open about trying his hand in the cage in the past. He even suggested a two-fight series with Ngannou at one point; a mixed rules fight, however, might be a little more competitive.

“I think the opponents in pure MMA are not that interesting right now. We’re just like the fans, we’re just like the fighters. We’re not like the other companies. ‘Let’s just do it because they’re our guys!’ There’s only one guy in MMA who is interesting right now for Francis Ngannou: Jon Jones. One guy,” Davis told The MMA Hour on Monday (h/t MMA Fighting). “Everybody says, what about Stipe? Maybe. Give him a half a point — 1.5 guys, who are compelling. I don’t want to say who could put on a good fight for him. There are three or four other guys who could put on a competitive fight for Francis. I’m not talking about a competitive fight, I’m saying compelling — 1.5 guys in MMA, in the world! And one is hurt for the next nine months, and the other one is under contract.

“We’re realists. So what is the best fight for our fighter, Francis Ngannou, his career, and fighting fans? That’s the fight we should make, and that’s the fight we’re going to be partners to make. So will he fight in MMA in 2024? Yes, he will. Will that be his next fight? I don’t know.”

When it comes to Wilder in particular, that’s when Donn Davis suggested a mixed rules contest.

“…what would I think would be fascinating? Deontay Wilder in a mixed rules fight. I always say, what do I want to see? I know a lot about boxing and a lot about MMA, but I’m not a savant. I’m not a deep, deep, deep insider. So I like to test, what do I think millions of people would love to see? I think that’s the most interesting thing we could all see.”

Ngannou is under contract with the PFL on the MMA side, after exiting the UFC earlier this year.

The post PFL Founder Donn Davis Wants Ngannou-Wilder Mixed Rules Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

Chris Curtis meets Twitter troll ahead of UFC 289

Chris Curtis bumped into one of his “Twitter trolls” during UFC 289 Fight Week in Vancouver. Whatever said troll did to get Curtis to block him, the energy in person was much more jovial.

https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1667015078863069185

Deontay Wilder appears at PFL 4, talks Ngannou fights in boxing, MMA

While the MMA world awaits Francis Ngannou’s next move, one potential opponent turned up at Thursday’s PFL 4 card in Atlanta, GA.

That would be heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder, who gave an update on his immediate future, and teased the potential of a cross-over series with Ngannou.

“This business is one of the most difficult businesses around, because it’s unstructured,” Wilder said of boxing. “We’re narrowing down. People should see me back in August, no later than September.”

As for the possibility of Wilder trying his hand at MMA, “That’s a good question,” he stated. “I’ve thought about this many times, even with Ngannou, us talking about getting together. You always see the MMA guys crossing over, but you never see the boxers crossing over. So I said I wanted to make it more interesting for the fans, and just the combat family as a whole. So I said, how ’bout you come to my backyard, and after we handle business, I can come to yours and cross over. And I really meant it.”

“Things are still up in the air, but I have seen myself on this side of the field. People will be very impressed with what I can do, my abilities.”

💣💣 BOMB SQUADDDDD! Deontay Wilder is in the building! #PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomD5xg pic.twitter.com/GQarHUcxhe

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 9, 2023

More Canadian UFC news coming?

Charles Jourdain wasn’t about to spill any tea at the UFC 30th Anniversary Q&A on Friday, but he did hint at something good coming Canada’s way.

“I think there’s some very good things coming for Canada. I cannot say a date, I cannot say anything, but you guys are going to be in for a treat soon when the information gets out,” teased “Air” Jourdain when asked by Cageside Press if we might see him on a Canadian card next.

UFC celebrating Mexican Independence Day with Las Vegas event

Per TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the UFC date booked for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 16 (first reported by MMA Junkie’s Nolan King) will be in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. There’s no word yet as to who will headline the card, which is not expected to be a PPV. But you can be certain plenty of fighters with Mexican heritage will take part.

Dana White confirms that the upcoming September 16th card at T-Mobile Arena will celebrate Mexican Independence Day.

He was regretful that the UFC didn't do a Cinco de Mayo card and has been hoping to do a card like this for years.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 10, 2023

PFL 4 draws 336,000 viewers on ESPN

For those curious about the kind of ratings the PFL draws, Thursday’s PFL 4 card in Atlanta drew 336K viewers on ESPN (ratings via Showbuzz Daily). That was good enough for the #31 spot on the night among original cable programming. That rank is based on the 0.11 share in 18-49 viewership, the demographic advertisers covet most.

Conor McGregor decks mascot at Miami Heat game

Before anyone gets up in arms, this was clearly a work. Conor McGregor was in the house for the NBA’s Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets game on Friday, promoting a pain relief spray.

And who showed up during McGregor’s promotional appearance but Burnie, the Heat mascot, sporting a pair of boxing gloves. Oops. McGregor dropped ol’ Burnie with a single heater, but followed up with a very unnecessary second shot while the mascot was down.

McGregor then sprayed his fallen foe with the pain relief spray in question as Burnie was dragged off the court. Hmm… does anyone have the rights to Mascot Fight League?

Now, this may have turned out to be a stunt gone wrong, as the mascot reportedly suffered minor injuries, per a follow-up ESPN report. Work gone wrong? Or another work.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtSwUCigUnv/

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: Curtis Meets Troll, Wilder Talks MMA, McGregor Decks Mascot appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder appeared on the Trill Boxing Talk podcast, expressing an interest in a two-fight series that would see Ngannou try his hand at boxing — and Wilder himself set foot in the cage.

It’s one of the more interesting, and arguably plausible, match-ups for “The Predator” at the moment, for a number of reasons. One of which is that Wilder is under contract to Showtime, who have been in the mix to secure Ngannou’s services. Showtime is also the broadcast home for Bellator MMA.

According to Wilder, a fight with Ngannou had been discussed before — with the UFC.

“I love Francis. When I met him at the Apex in Vegas, they was talking about doing it that time. I’m still interested in that fight,” Wilder revealed on Thursday. “I would love to go to Africa for that. I would love to do that in Africa.”

Wilder admitted that those discussions were “a long time ago,” when Ngannou was still working with the UFC and Dana White. It was White who brought up the idea of Wilder facing Ngannou — and while the UFC part of the equation is out, Ngannou is now a free agent, making a boxing match-up perhaps easier to get done.

“I’m very interested in it,” said Wilder, calling himself and Ngannou a pair of superheros.

“I even thought about this idea, though. I was like, all right, let’s make it a two-fight deal,” Wilder stated. “Everybody always comes to boxing, but let’s do this: You come to my sh*t, I come to yours. You know what I’m saying? You feel me? I’ll do it up. You come to my house, I come to yours. A true tea party. I’m a true warrior.”

“I’m serious about that,” Wilder added. “That’s something I thought about even from the first spark of the idea. I want to do something different. Since everybody always be crossing between combat sports, and the MMA guys always come to boxing, of course, they ain’t got no stand-up game as far as boxing is concerned. So it’s always going to be favored on the boxer’s side, because you’re in our territory. It’s just like being in the water with sharks, with a shark.”

Asked whether he had any MMA training, Wilder laughed. “Sh*t, I know how to whup an ass!” he joked, before admitting “I don’t have mixed martial arts experience, but of course if that happens, I’m going to be training and stuff like that, and go from there. I wouldn’t just go in not knowing nothing, ‘well man I did this in the streets,’ hell nah. If I would do it, I would really put for the effort. I’m going to give the fans what they want to see. I’m gonna really put forth the effort, training, because he’s going to be training for coming over where I am. Why would I not train for what he do? I might like the sh*t. I might cross over like, ‘this is my new home! Imma be kicking motherf*ckers out!”

“I could see it as being a beautiful thing,” Wilder stated later in the interview. “I’m speaking from my heart. It’s not just me thinking about the bigger picture of it. That’s just what my heart is telling me. It’s smiling when I think about this fight. It feels warm. Hopefully it comes to pass.”

The post Deontay Wilder Open to Boxing, MMA Series with Francis Ngannou appeared first on Cageside Press.

On an evening where the UFC took a back seat, airing an understated card earlier in the day, the trilogy bout between WBC champ Fury and ex-champ Wilder was given the opportunity to shine. Their first fight, in 2018, had ended in a draw, with Wilder retaining the WBC heavyweight title as a result. He would successfully defend the belt twice following that fight, before being finished via TKO in the rematch last year.

Fury now holds both the WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships, as the latter title had been vacant and up for grabs in their rematch.

With Fury once again considered the best boxer on the planet (at least among heavyweights), the stage was set for a third fight. Not quite a rubber match, with Wilder yet to have an official win over the British star known as “The Gypsy King.”

In the wake of his loss to Fury, Wilder had fired his coach, blamed the costume he wore out to the ring in their second fight for slowing him down, and claimed to have hit the gym hard for the rematch. He also claimed that Tyson Fury used loading gloves in their rematch, but offered no evidence to back up the allegation of cheating.

The early prelims for Fury vs. Wilder 3 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada kick off at 4:30PM ET on Saturday, October 9, 2021, airing on ESPN. Check below for full results from the event.

Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 Results

Main Card

Tyson Fury (c) def. Deontay Wilder by knockout, Round 11, 1:10 – retains WBC, Ring heavyweight championships
Frank Sanchez def. Efe Ajagba by unanimous decision (97-92, 98-91, 98-91)
Robert Helenius def. Adam Kownacki by DQ, Round 6, 2:38
Jared Anderson def. Vladimir Tereshkin by TKO, Round 2, 2:51

Preliminary Card

Edgar Berlanga def. Marcelo Esteban Coceres by unanimous decision (96-93, 96-93, 96-93)
Vladimir Hernandez def. Julian Williams by split decision (96-94, 94-96, 97-93)

Early Preliminary Card

Robeisy Ramirez def. Orlando Gonzalez Ruiz by unanimous decision (97-93, 99-91, 99-91)
Bruce Carrington def. Cesar Cantu by unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Viktor Vykhryst (Faust) def. Mike Marshall by TKO, Round 3, 1:49

The post Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

https://twitter.com/ESPNRingside/status/1363898001710747653?s=20

It has taken far longer than anyone could have imagined last February, but it likely feels longer for Tyson Fury.  Last year, “The Gypsy King” delivered a virtuoso performance against his arch-rival and established himself not only as the best heavyweight in the world but also one of the best pound-for-pound fighters overall.  Already the linear heavyweight champion going into the bout, the victory added to him impressive resume as he was already best known for ending the reign of the legendary Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.  After it seemed the third Wilder bout would not materialize, Fury was already deep in talks to finally unite the heavyweight titles with then four belt holder Anthony Joshua in a super fight earlier this summer.  Instead, Wilder held firm that he would invoke his rematch clause and negotiations expedited to finally schedule the trilogy.

While Fury’s bravado has made him a media darling, it is also a delicate double-edged sword.  He is the unquestioned best in the world, and he has not let Wilder forget it for a single minute.  For all of danger that Wilder brings in his power, Fury is heavily favored to win the trilogy handedly and move on to focusing on possible bouts with Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk.  After all his bluster, a loss to Wilder would be a letdown of epic proportions and force him to regroup while his opponent goes on to the marquee bouts.

https://twitter.com/ESPNRingside/status/1262764855175471104?s=20

Deontay Wilder is the one with the point to prove on Saturday.  Following the bout, his statements were seen as embarrassing excuses for what was a disheartening performance in easily the biggest heavyweight fight in over a decade.  First came his statements that his walk out costume was too heavy and led to his poor performance.  Also, his immediate firing of his coach who threw in the towel during a fight he was clearly no longer going to win without an epic error on Fury’s part left many feeling that Wilder was not taking responsibility for his efforts in the ring.

But the fight game has a habit of having a short memory, and that favors the man whose reputation is built on being able to change things in a single instant.  “The Bronze Bomber” has a highlight reel that has seen him obliterate the likes of Dominic Breazeale, Artur Szpilka, Luis Ortiz, Bermane Stiverne II, and others along the way to becoming the most intimidating force in boxing since Mike Tyson.  He has already come close to taking the spirit of Fury before, arguably stopping him in the twelfth round of their first fight to the point that Wilder has publicly said he considers it one of his favorite knockouts.  Following a change in coaches and a renewed vigor, Wilder brings exactly the same chance to defeat Fury as he did going into their highly anticipated second fight last year.

Aggression and physicality are the keys to a Wilder upset.  While he has proven to be dangerous even in the later rounds, he must take care to not be drawn into a battle in the middle of the ring where Fury’s movement and range are the most potent.  He must be willing to take risks to initiate the action as opposed to waiting to counter Fury.  Fury by comparison should look to replicate the same strategy by picking his spots and utilizing his speed and range to his full advantage.  While he had put on noticeable size, the two places Fury should avoid are staying in the pocket and getting backed into the corner.

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder back at it AGAIN! 🗣@BronzeBomber @Tyson_Fury | TOMORROW | Buy #FuryWilder3 PPV: https://t.co/Oz3QzMA9pP pic.twitter.com/kXO7EPM1ml

— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) October 8, 2021

The winner is expected to enjoy the victory and look towards another marquee fight.  Currently, Oleksander Usyk is the one holding all the cards following his victory over Anthony Joshua.  While a rematch between the two is expected to be the next move, the schedules would align for Usyk to face Fury or Wilder in the first half of 2022.

The post Undisputed Bragging Rights Await Fury vs. Wilder 3 Winner appeared first on Cageside Press.

Few saw it playing out exactly how it did, however. Fury, who switched trainers ahead of the fight, came in significantly heavier than his first meeting with Wilder, at 273lbs. He had promised to take the fight to Wilder, whose crushing right hand had become known as one of the most dangerous weapons in boxing.

That’s if you land it, of course. Thanks to Fury’s height, game plan, and tendency to wear his opponent down by leaning on him before piecing him up, Wilder didn’t really get the chance. Instead, he was knocked down a couple of times, beaten up and bloodied. Bleeding from the ear. Bleeding from the mouth. Blood Fury at one point tasted. Under fire in the seventh round and not answering back, Wilder’s corner finally decided enough was enough — and threw in the towel.

That gave Tyson Fury — who has flirted with the idea of a move to MMA — the TKO win. Along with The Ring and and WBC heavyweight titles, plus the lineal title.

With the MMA (and combat sports) world tuning in, see how your favorite fighters reacted below! Among those speaking out, Stipe Miocic — who appears down for a fight with Fury.

Enjoying a epic night of fights with my love! #WilderFury2 #ThanksChamp

mrsbigticket205

Photo cred: chrisuk013 @ MGM Grand Garden Arena https://t.co/8b1Vg8oEjg

— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) February 23, 2020

Fury has been working that takedown defense!

— . (@ChasSkelly) February 23, 2020

Wilder hurt bad!!

— Truck Gordon (@TruckGordon) February 23, 2020

The Gypsy king in there like #FuryWilder2 pic.twitter.com/ISZ3YhgGLQ

— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020

Did he just taste his fucking blood!?!!? 🤯

— Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) February 23, 2020

Wilder’s body language is concerning #WilderFury2

— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 23, 2020

This isn’t fun to watch. This is a straight up battering! I respect Wilder so much, but it’s really hard to watch him not offer up any offense or defense. Fury looks like he can’t miss. Did Wilder not show up today, or is Fury just that much better? His ear…#WilderFury2

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 23, 2020

This is crazy how one sided this has been. #FuryWilder2

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) February 23, 2020

Prob the best fury we’ve seen right now

— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 23, 2020

Good on the coaches to throw in the towel. Shows how much they care for their fighter. #FuryWilder2

— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020

Wow. Fury won the first one. Now wins the second. What a fight. Boxing clinic he put on. The Gypsy King done it. Joshua awaits.#WildervsFury2

— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) February 23, 2020

Great fight 🥊 #TysonFury #WilderFury pic.twitter.com/MeDggYzz08

— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) February 23, 2020

Let's make it happen #NgannouFury ☝️.#WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/p7x8zzhSmJ

— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 23, 2020

THE GYPSY KINGGGG 👑!!!!!

You cant doubt him now!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 #WildervsFury2 #WilderFury2 https://t.co/uJLBxAsM9F

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) February 23, 2020

Wish I could invest in beer in Vegas and Manchester tonight 🍻
Congrats to @Tyson_Fury 🤜🏼🤛🏼

— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 23, 2020

tyson fury is the best heavyweight boxer in the world.

— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) February 23, 2020

That was an absolute mauling. Congrats @Tyson_Fury #WildervsFury2

— Mike “The Lone Wolf” Trizano (@TheLoneWolfMMA) February 23, 2020

The ref made the right decision. Ear drum busted, no offense from his opponent, being knocked down a few times. Live to fight another day. Sometimes we have off nights and sometimes opponents are just better than us that night. #WilderFury2

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 23, 2020

Fury wins! Wilders team threw in the towel! Great corner protecting their fighter #wilder #WilderFury #WilderFury2

— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) February 23, 2020

Gypsy king gets it done.

Is Fury the biggest heavyweight champ ever?

— Jon Fitch 🏴‍☠️ (@jonfitchdotnet) February 23, 2020

Flawless victory by Fury !! Wow !! 🥊 #WildervsFury2 #furyvswilder2 #boxing

— . (@patrick_cote) February 23, 2020

That’s a wrap folksget that bread fury

— Kyle Prepolec (@KPrepolec) February 23, 2020

That was AWESOME

— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) February 23, 2020

Next!

Fury beats AJ too don't @ me!#TysonFury

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2020

Canelo vs Fury, book it.

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 23, 2020

Congrats @Tyson_Fury I’d love to sing Sweet Caroline in the ring. Let’s do this.

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) February 23, 2020

Brought to you by Proper 12

https://twitter.com/oliaubin/status/1231455116940791808

So excited! So honoured!
Thank you to all the fans of @ProperWhiskey!
Baby we did it!!!! ☘️ pic.twitter.com/V5liA7yV7g

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 22, 2020

The post MMA Fighters Including Stipe Miocic React to Wilder vs. Fury 2 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The high of a crowd pop in any entertainment venture is priceless; The feeling of raw emotion coupled with the inability to coherently think. It’s the “good stuff.” It’s magic.

Last weekend, the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury 12th round knock-down and The Gypsy King’s improbable return to his feet led to one of the biggest crowd pops in recent memory from any sporting event.

Deontay Wilder drops Tyson Fury in Round 12:

This is Wilder knocking out Fury in the 12 round in real time (no slo-mo edits or cut aways). Fury hits the floor at the 0:3 second mark, and he is back on his feet at 0:14 second mark. Can anyone explain to me how this ISN'T a knockout? pic.twitter.com/ECT3TBJUZA

— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) December 2, 2018

You can see how the crowd is overwhelmed, unable to think, and overcome with emotion. Within the 9.99 seconds it took Tyson Fury to recover from Wilder’s two-punch combo, every fan watching that moment made an important connection with either Wilder or Fury and that will make them returning customers with many years to come.

This all got me thinking — Do we get to experience the high of a crowd pop enough in MMA? If we do, do these pops occur at the proverbial 11th hour when most fans or watching during the main event/co-main, or are those moments lost in time for better or worse?

We’re definitely treated to a few overwhelming moments each year in the sport of MMA, so let’s take a look at some of the biggest MMA crowd pops in recent history:

UFC 218: Francis Ngannou KOs Alistair Overeem

Before Francis Ngannou lost and subsequently re-found his mojo, he was slotted in the co-main event against the dangerous Alistair Overeem in a number-one contender bout for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. It took Francis Ngannou just 1:42 and a huge left hand to get everyone at the Little Caesars Arena on their feet and roaring.

Francis Ngannou was nearly a household name at that moment in time.

UFC 229: Derrick Lewis KOs Alexander Volkov

At UFC 229 Derrick Lewis was handled by Alexander Volkov with ease… that is, until the last minute of the fight when Lewis was able to connect with a series of hellacious shots that separated Volkov from his senses. At the 13-second mark of the video, you can see the crowd start to become unglued as Derrick Lewis goes in to finish Volkov.

Derrick Lewis would be propelled into a UFC Heavyweight title shot after this come-from-behind victory.

UFC 226: Daniel Cormier KOs Stipe Miocic to become Champ Champ

The moment Daniel Cormier knocked Stipe Miocic from his senses here:

Fans around the world, not just the fans present at T-Mobile arena, reacted like this:

I could only really find a few moments where the crowd went bananas in recent memory during the main/co-main event of a Pay-Per-View card. The McGregor/Khabib incident doesn’t really count because that moment was a result of panic/fear more than anything — and it wasn’t caused by an in-cage moment.

Perhaps we’ve just grown accustomed to seeing fighters getting knocked out left and right and it takes something truly spectacular to pop the crowd, or perhaps our more well-rounded cards lead to less of a crowd pop in the would-be spectacular moments of the sport. Or perhaps the fans in attendance don’t feel enough of a connection to the fighters in the cage to warrant a huge pop.

The post The Importance of Popping a Crowd in Combat Sports appeared first on Cageside Press.