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How to Watch UFC 314 Volkanovski vs Lopes Fight Card and Start Time

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UFC 314 Streaming Guide

Get ready, fight fansUFC 314 is headed to sunny South Florida, and the stakes could not be any higher. The Miami heat won’t just be outside the arena come April 12it’ll be blazing inside the Kaseya Center when Alexander Volkanovski returns to defend his featherweight crown against the surging Lerone Murphy. This is not just another fight night. This is a title defense under the palm treeswith a card stacked like a game of MMA Jenga. If you’re wondering how to tune in from your living room, your best friend’s couch, or even during your cousin’s wedding (we won’t judge), you’ve landed in the right corner of the Internet.

When and Where Is UFC 314?

Mark your calendars: Saturday, April 12, 2025. The action fires up inside Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Whether you’re a cage-side VIP or watching in your jammies with buffalo wings in tow, the energy surrounding this card will be electric. UFC has returned to Magic City, and the lights are brighter than ever.

UFC 314 Event Schedule (Eastern Time)

  • Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET (UFC Fight Pass)
  • Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)
  • Main Card: 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+ pay-per-view)

How to Watch UFC 314 Online

If you’re not making the trek to Miami, fear not. This is the digital age, babywe stream everything short of grandma’s meatloaf. Here are your options:

United States Viewers

  • Early Prelims: Stream exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
  • Prelims: Stream on ESPN+ or watch on ESPN.
  • Main Card: Available only via pay-per-view on ESPN+. Subscription required.

Note: ESPN+ subscribers must order the PPV separately, even with an active subscription.

International Streaming Info

Fans outside the U.S. are luckymany will get the PPV as part of regular subscriptions:

  • UK & Ireland: BT Sport
  • Canada: TSN/RDS
  • Australia: Main Event on Kayo
  • Germany & Italy: DAZN

Check local listings and time zones; you wouldn’t want to miss the walkouts while brushing your teeth in the morning.

Main Event: Volkanovski vs. Lopes

The featherweight king, Alexander Volkanovski, returns attempting to silence the doubters after turbulent recent performances. He’s looking for redemption, but his opponent, Brazilian standout Diego Lopes, has other plans. The surging contender turned heads with his stunning finishes and even more stunning hairLopes is walking into this bout full of swagger, and rightfully so.

Will Volkanovski reassert his dominance, or will the flamboyant upstart pull off a career-defining upset?

Main Event Odds

  • Alexander Volkanovski: -180 (favored)
  • Diego Lopes: +150 (underdog)

Volk remains the betting favorite, but put your calculators awaythese odds mean fireworks are likely regardless of who the oddsmakers favor. Buckle up.

The Rest of the Main Card

This isn’t a one-fight show. UFC 314’s main card is a buffet of bangers:

  • Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori: Middleweight contenders with granite chins and relentless motors.
  • Maycee Barber vs. Natalia Silva: The women’s flyweight division gets a crystal ball into its future.
  • Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal: A striker’s delight. Someone’s leaving with a performance bonus. Maybe both.
  • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Benoit Saint Denis: Lightweight chaos incoming. Expect scrambles galore.

This main card has everything: title implications, bad blood, technical mastery, and, yes, probably a spinning elbow or two. You’ve been warned.

Why UFC 314 Is a Must-Watch

Miami. Big names. High stakes. UFC 314 doesn’t just check the boxesit’s lighting them on fire. Whether you’re a hardcore fan dissecting fight tape at 2 a.m., or a casual viewer who loves a good KO, this card has something for you.

And hey, if you don’t watch live, beware the spoilers. The Internet doesn’t do mercy.

Final Thoughts

In short: Get your streaming setup sorted now. Bookmark the ESPN+ page. Mash that “order now” button ahead of time. Maybe set an alarmor six. Because on April 12, UFC 314 won’t wait for you to find the remote. With Volkanovski vs. Lopes headlining and a deep, talent-rich undercard to match, this is one PPV that’s worth every cent.

See you on fight nightjust try not to yell “LET’S GO!” so loud the neighbors call the cops. (Or do. We won’t judge.)

Biggest UFC Upsets of 2025 Updated After Every Event Including UFC Vegas 105

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UFC 2025 Upset Winners

The octagon gave us everything in 2025knockouts, submissions, and an avalanche of upsets that left even the sharpest pundits sputtering between rounds. As any seasoned fan of the fight game knows, nothing ignites the MMA world quite like a seismic shake-up when a heavy underdog topples a lofty favorite. This year, the unpredictable took center stage, and the underdogs barked loud and proud.

Packed with jaw-dropping chaos and Las Vegas sportsbooks scrambling for cover, these upset victories weren’t just anomaliesthey were moments that defined a thrilling calendar year for the UFC.

The Sweet Science of Shock: 2025’s Biggest Octagon Surprises

Below is a tightly curated rundown of the biggest betting upsets from UFC events in 2025, tallying wins where the victors overcame odds of +275 or higherbecause anything less than that and we’re not calling it an earthquake, just a tremor.


1. Elves Brener (+450) def. Myktybek Orolbai – UFC Fight Night 238 (March 2)

When Brazilian lightweight Elves Brener entered the cage against highly touted Kyrgyz prospect Myktybek Orolbai, few expected his hand would be raised at the final bell. Instead, Brener unleashed a storm in the second round and walked away with one of the year’s biggest betting shockers. It wasn’t just the bookmakers who were rattledOrolbai’s hype train was brought to a screeching halt at the APEX arena.

2. Austen Lane (+400) def. Jhonata Diniz – UFC Fight Night 240 (March 23)

If there’s one thing fight fans love, it’s a comeback story, and Austen Lane delivered vindication with venom. Coming in as a +400 underdog, Lane made heavyweight newcomer Jhonata Diniz pay the price for overconfidence, finishing him with a thunderous first-round KO. Let’s just say Lane probably silenced more doubters in 90 seconds than any social media post ever could.

3. Caio Borralho (+330) def. Paul Craig – UFC 301 (May 4)

In front of a raucous Brazilian crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Caio Borralho fed off the energy and flipped the script on the notoriously durable Paul Craig. Entering as a +330 underdog, Borralho showcased a blend of poise and precision to outclass the Scotsman, whose ground threats never quite materialized. The middleweight division took noteand fans got a wild ride along the way.

4. Vinicius Oliveira (+300) def. Felipe dos Santos – UFC on ESPN 53 (March 16)

This was a street fight dressed up as a sanctioned MMA bout. Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira took the nickname and attitude to heart, bringing a war to his fellow countryman Felipe dos Santos. Not only did Oliveira steal the show, but he earned some bonus love as wellpocketing a well-deserved Fight of the Night bonus in the frenzied aftermath.


What Makes a Great Upset in the UFC?

Upsets in MMA aren’t just about defying oddsmakersthey’re about narrative rewrites. When an underdog lands a career-defining finish or shuts down a heavily favored dark horse, they throw their name into the spotlight and inject excitement into the rankings picture. These wins challenge assumptions, break parlay tickets, and remind everyone watching that in MMA, one punch, takedown, or perfectly timed counter can change careers.

Honorable Mentions That Shook the Cage

  • Mateusz Rebecki stepped in on short notice and stunned Terrance McKinney with an upset that may not have hit the bookmaker ceilings, but definitely lit up MMA forums.
  • Lukasz Brzeski quietly pulled off a +275 win that had hardcore fans nodding respectfully into their barley-flavored beverages.

And let’s not forget a few razor-close decisions and split cards that could’ve swung the bookie’s ledger in spectacular fashion. Every underdog isn’t flashysome just grind their way to the winner’s circle with grit-heavy performances that leave fans arguing long after the final bell.


What These Upsets Say About UFC in 2025

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: don’t blink. The gap between prospects and contenders continues to shrink. Regional standouts are evolving faster than the speed of hype, and any fighter willing to bet on themselves can alter the landscapeand the oddsmakers’ spreadsheetsin just one night.

Whether you’re in it for the glory, the betting slip, or simply the thrill of watching the best martial artists on earth go at it, one thing remains clearthe UFC’s script is unwritten, and no favorite is ever truly safe.

Looking Ahead: Who Might Shock Us Next?

With international talent pools growing and a wave of hungry, under-the-radar contenders waiting for their shot at stardom, 2026 could serve up an even spicier menu of upsets. So keep your eyes peeled, your Twitter timeline refreshed, and your betting slips tentativethe dogs haven’t stopped barking yet.

Note: All odds referenced were accurate at time of fight according to official betting data.

UFC Highlights Josh Emmett KO Ahead of Lerone Murphy Vegas Showdown

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Emmett vs Murphy Preview

Featherweight fireworks are about to erupt in Sin City as Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy step into the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Vegas 105. Two men with vastly different paths to this crossroads now meet with everything to gain. From a stylistic thriller to the stakes of a potential title sneak-in, fight fans have more than enough reason to stay glued to this co-headliner.

Veteran Grit vs Undefeated Confidence

Josh Emmett is no stranger to bloody wars, gritty comebacks, or defying odds. The 39-year-old featherweight’s fists pack pure thunder, as demonstrated in his knockout highlight reel against names like Michael Johnson and Ricardo Lamas. He might be north of 35, but as Emmett has proven time and time again, age is merely a numberespecially when you’re built on forged resilience and Team Alpha Male grind.

Standing across from him is Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy, England’s undefeated featherweight breakout who carries a perfect professional record (13-0-1) like a crown and a chip the size of Manchester. After a nearly two-year layoff, Murphy silenced doubters with a crisp performance against Edson Barboza, earning a decision that had UFC matchmakers perk upand this main event slot is a testament to his surging stock. One’s carving out legacy; the other is building his. Welcome to a featherweight collision that matters.

Stylistic Chaos Incoming

This is not your average striker vs grappler affairthis one is guaranteed chaos. Emmett’s reputation as a power puncher goes beyond myth. The Californian blitzes forward behind caveman shots and isn’t shy about taking a shot to give two. He thrives in chaos. Murphy, however, approaches violence with finesse. Known for sharp counterstriking and impeccable distance management, the Brit slices opponents rather than bludgeoning them.

Murphy’s footwork and timing will be crucial if he wants to avoid Emmett’s trademark overhand righta shot that has flatlined even the most seasoned of foes. But Emmett’s pressure game is not just about knockout power. He’s a grinder with a Division I wrestling background buried under that heavy right hand, and could choose to test Murphy’s grappling as the fight progresses.

What’s Really at Stake?

Featherweight is quietly becoming one of the most stacked and competitive divisions in the UFC today. Alexander Volkanovski’s reign has finally come to an end, and Ilia Topuria’s title win has cracked open a new chapter. With that shake-up, every fight suddenly becomes more significant. Emmett, currently ranked No. 6, knows he’s still a win or two away from redemption after dropping two of his last three. A dominant victory here could plant him right back into the sharks’ pool atop the rankings.

For Murphy, this is the moment. This isn’t just about maintaining a zero in the loss columnit’s about proving he belongs. Beating a fighter of Emmett’s caliber would be a statement-making launch into the top 10 and likely fast-track him to headliner status moving forward.

Keys to Victory

  • Josh Emmett: Pressure early, don’t chase counters, mix in wrestling to break Murphy’s timing.
  • Lerone Murphy: Stay sharp off the back foot, exploit Emmett’s tendency to lunge, keep the fight at range.

Prediction? Expect Violence

Let’s be honestthis one has the makings of a Fight of the Night contender. Both men are allergic to boring fights. Emmett will try to turn Murphy into a brawl. Murphy, for his part, will look to prove he can not only hang with savages… but outthink them, outperform them, and evolve past them.

No matter how it plays out, UFC Vegas 105’s main attraction isn’t just about who winsit’s about who takes the next big leap in one of the most unforgiving divisions in MMA. Old lion versus rising wolf. Buckle up.

UFC Vegas 105 takes place this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Don’t blinkthese guys don’t believe in slow starts.

Click here to view the full fight week preview from MMA Junkie.

UFC Vegas 105 Preview Emmett vs Murphy Predictions and Fight Breakdown

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UFC Vegas 105 Predictions

After a brief hiatus, fight night returns to the cozy confines of the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and UFC Vegas 105 is shaping up to be a sleeper hit. With a headlining showdown between two heavy-handed featherweights and rising contenders ready to make noise, it’s the kind of card that promises chaos, heartbreak, and a few surprises. Let’s dive into the matchups that will keep hardcore fans glued to the screenand maybe even shake up the rankings.


Main Event: Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy

The spotlight falls squarely on Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy, a clash of styles and trajectories at 145 pounds. Emmett may be getting long in the tooth at 39, but anyone who’s seen his overhand right detonate on skulls knows he’s dangerous from bell to bell. After absorbing a punishing loss to Ilia Topuria, Emmett bounced back with a 2023 Knockout of the Year candidate when he folded Bryce Mitchell in December. He still swings like a hammer and defends like a lion.

On the other side of the Octagon is undefeated Brit Lerone Murphy, a talented striker who’s flown under many radarsuntil now. Sitting at 13-0-1, “The Miracle” has been sharp in every outing, even if his level of competition hasn’t always turned heads. His biggest strength? Movement. Murphy’s elusive footwork and slick counters could pose serious problems for the more stationary Emmett.

Prediction: It’s a true vet vs. surging prospect matchup, but Emmett’s experience, power, and wrestling could be enough to slow the Murphy trainif he can cut off the cage. However, if Murphy dishes out volume and avoids the kill shot, this upset might be in the cards.

Pick: Lerone Murphy via Split Decision


Co-Main Event: Vicente Luque vs. Joaquin Buckley

If casuals snooze through the main event buildup, they’ll be wide-eyed for this co-main barnburner. Vicente Luque returns after a gritty win over Rafael dos Anjos last August, showing flashes of his old killer instinct. But “The Silent Assassin” hasn’t looked the same since Geoff Neal dismantled him in 2022.

Joaquin Buckley, however, enters the welterweight mix like a Wrecking Ball on a treadmill. Since dropping down to 170 pounds, he’s been fast, violent, and dangerous, most recently finishing veteran Alex Morono inside two rounds. His athleticism is eye-popping, and his power translates frighteningly well in this division.

Luque is still slickand more technicalbut he’s hittable and sometimes too willing to engage in wars. Against a knockout artist like Buckley, that spells danger.

Pick: Joaquin Buckley via 2nd Round TKO


Other Main Card Predictions

Trevor Peek vs. Charlie Campbell

Trevor Peek is chaos incarnate. This man throws like he’s trying to punch the moon. But his style often leaves him open to takedowns and counters. Charlie Campbell isn’t as wild, but he’s more calculated and technical, especially in the pocket.

If Peek can’t find an early finish, Campbell’s composure may win him the later rounds.

Pick: Charlie Campbell via Unanimous Decision

Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko

This women’s flyweight contest pits Luana Carolina’s rangy striking and Muay Thai clinch work against the armbar-hunting Julija Stoliarenko. It’s a style contrast, and one we’ve seen many times before. If Carolina can keep it standing, she’s likely winning on volume. But one trip to the mat, and Julija will be pulling limbs like she’s auditioning for a Saw sequel.

Pick: Julija Stoliarenko via 1st Round Submission


Prelim Notables to Watch

  • Robelis Despaigne – Heavyweight prospect with absurd finishing power. Blink and you might miss it. Literally.
  • Angela Hill vs. Luana Pinheiro – A crossroads fight. Hill is the gatekeeper with cardio for days, Pinheiro has youth and judo in her corner. Classic striker vs. grappler chess match.
  • Heili Alateng vs. Brady Hiestand – Sleeper pick for Fight of the Night. Fast scrambles, sharp boxingdon’t miss it.

Final Thoughts

UFC Vegas 105 is a deceptively stacked appetizer before the springtime pay-per-view banquet, and these types of cards often deliver fireworks precisely because of the hungry fighters craving center-stage recognition. Between Emmett’s war-hardened fists, Murphy’s undefeated mystique, and a co-main that could be up for Performance of the Night honors, the APEX is about to echo with leather and carnage once more.

As always, this is MMAyou could script the logic, and the Octagon will still throw a curveball. But that’s what makes weekends like this irresistible. Buckle up.

All predictions subject to change depending on weigh-ins, last-minute cancellations, and the eternal unpredictability of combat sports.

UFC Veterans Return to Action in MMA and Bareknuckle Bouts April 3-6

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UFC Veterans Fight Week

The bells are tolling once again, and this time, it’s not just for glorybut for a second shot at combat sports relevance. Buckle up, because UFC Veterans Fight Week is charging full steam ahead, packing a punch and a whole lot of nostalgia from April 3–6 across four action-filled nights. If you thought retirement meant beach loungers and golf clubs, think again. This week is about bareknuckle brawls, MMA comebacks, and a heavy dose of grit from the names that once lit up the UFC’s Octagon.


Fists Fly in Multiple Arenas

Spread across a collection of fight promotions, fans can enjoy a stacked slate of cards. Whether it’s the ropeless circle of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, the unforgiving pace of BKFC, or your classic walk-back-through-memory-lane MMA cards, fight enthusiasts won’t leave hungry for action. Each night offers something different, bound by the common thread of UFC alumni stepping back into the fire.

Here’s what’s on deck during Fight Week:

  • Wednesday, April 3: Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7, headlined by Justin Scoggins vs. Cody Pfister in Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Friday, April 5: Tuff-N-Uff 135 drops in Las Vegas with a title fight and veterans like Tywan Claxton adding depth.
  • Friday, April 5: Unified MMA 57 in Toronto, featuring a title bout between ex-UFCers Shane Campbell and Jake Lindsey.
  • Saturday, April 6: BKFC 59, where Alan Belcher faces Lorenzo Hunt for the light heavyweight crown in Florida.

Let’s be honestthis isn’t just some walk-through for these guys. Forget exhibitions. These are fights with pride, rankings, and in some cases, titles on the line.


Gamebred Brings the Heat

Promoting his brand of bareknuckle MMA like only he could, Jorge Masvidal continues to shake up the fight game. Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 promises bone-on-bone brutality without gloves, ropes, or time to second-guess yourself.

Justin Scoggins, a name once etched into UFC’s flyweight roster, steps in against fellow veteran Cody Pfister. If you’ve been craving controlled chaos with raw intensity, this main event’s tailor-made for you. Also on the card, forgotten warriors like Shaun West and Charles Bennett look to stir the echoes of their glory days.

The Hook?

No cages, no ropes, no mercyjust raw, visceral combat fueled by legacy and redemption.


Vegas and Toronto Light Up Friday

On April 5, Tuff-N-Uff 135 returns to the amateur-rich sands of Las Vegas with a mix of promising prospects and seasoned standouts. Former Bellator talent Tywan Claxton headlines, reminding everyone why the featherweight division feared his explosiveness.

Meanwhile up north, Unified MMA 57 in Toronto cranks up the wattage with a welterweight title fight between Shane Campbell and Jake Lindsey. Both men know the terrain of both UFC and regional wars, and now, they’ll look to put one more belt around their waist before the lights dim on their careers.

“This is more than just another fight. It’s about writing that one last bold paragraph in our story,” Campbell told Canadian media.

Whatever side of the border you’re on, Friday night’s got something that speaks to old-guard fans and thrill-seekers alike.


Bareknuckle Kings Return

Saturday night settles in with a bangor more likely, multiple open knuckles to the jaw. BKFC 59 delivers another wild lineup of blood-and-guts brawling in Hollywood, Florida.

At the top, Lorenzo Hunt tries to fend off former UFC standout Alan Belcher for the light heavyweight strap. Hunt’s unorthodox style and iron chin have made him a tough puzzle to solve, but Belcher, fighting like a man who turned back time, believes he still has a few rounds of magic left in him.

Also on the main card, expect fireworks from the likes of Evgeniy Kurdanov and Crystal Pittman, reminding fans that bareknuckle isn’t just a gimmickit’s an evolution.


Why This Matters

UFC Veterans Fight Week isn’t simply a blast from the past. It’s a vivid reminder of how deep the combat pool runs. These fighters may not be in the UFC’s current rankings anymore, but don’t mistake experience for erosion. What you get is a week of authentic, passionate fights from athletes who refuse to fade quietly into the night.

From Florida sunshine to Canadian grit, from the bright lights of Vegas to the scars under BKFC’s spotlight, there’s one truth:

Fighters fight. Titles change. But heart? That never retires.

And if you’re a fight fan, this week belongs on your calendar. History is being rewritten, one punch at a time.

Meta Enters the Ring with UFC in Groundbreaking Multi-Year Tech Partnership

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Meta UFC Partnership Deal

In a seismic collision between Silicon Valley and the Octagon, Meta and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have just inked a groundbreaking multi-year partnership that promises to inject mixed martial arts with a heavy dose of the metaverse. Beginning in 2025, MMA fans won’t just be watching fightsthey’ll be experiencing them from inside the cage, through Meta’s cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology.

Step Into the OctagonLiterally

This isn’t your grandma’s pay-per-view. Meta and UFC are set to transform fight nights into fully immersive 3D experiences via the Meta Quest headset. Under the new deal, select UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) events will be broadcast in VR, allowing fans to get cage-side viewsor even inside-the-cage perspectivesfrom the comfort of their couch.

The partnership builds on an earlier pilot program that streamed over 50 MMA events in virtual reality via Meta Horizon Worlds’ Xtadium app, which proved wildly popular with fans seeking a more visceral connection to the action. You can keep your flat screens; the future of fight viewing has depth, sweat, and flying kicks coming right at you.

What This Means for MMA Fans

For hardcore fans who’ve always dreamed of walking out to the cage alongside their favorite fightersor flinching from an imaginary elbowthis deal is a superhero punch of opportunity. Meta’s immersive VR experience pushes the envelope in interactive sports viewing by offering:

  • 360-degree views from cage-side positions.
  • Multi-angle replays in a 3D virtual arena.
  • Live stats and commentary overlays rendered in real time.
  • Virtual social viewing parties with other fans’ avatars cheering (or trash-talking) from the same virtual space.

Welcome to the era where fantasy fight club meets social media metaverse. You don’t just watchit almost punches back.

Zuckerberg’s Personal KO Punch Into MMA

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg isn’t just steering the shiphe’s laced up the gloves, literally. A well-documented jiu-jitsu enthusiast, Zuckerberg has publicly sparred and trained with elite fighters. His personal fandom of MMA has given Meta’s interest in UFC more than just a strategic edgeit’s a passion project with actual sweat equity.

“UFC has some of the most passionate fans in the world,” said Zuckerberg in the announcement. “We’re bringing them closer to the action with an experience that feels as intense as being there.”

What UFC Gains: Tech, Reach, and Gen Z

While Meta gets to showcase its hardware horsepower, UFC gets direct access to a younger, more tech-savvy audiencea coveted demographic in the increasingly competitive sports entertainment space. Combined with Meta’s marketing muscle, this partnership might just help UFC claim the belts of both the sports and the VR sectors.

UFC’s Senior Vice President and Head of Content, David Shaw, lauded the deal: “We always want to be at the forefront of innovation, and our continued partnership with Meta lets us deliver a product that fans truly can’t get anywhere else.”

Media Meets Muscle: The Future of Sports Broadcasting?

The Meta-UFC partnership isn’t just game-changing for MMA; it’s another bold play in the broader world of sports broadcasting. With younger viewers turning away from traditional cable, streaming in VR offers a dynamic alternative for leagues looking to stay ahead of the curveand more crucially, on the radar of Gen Z and Alpha.

And let’s not forget the business knock-on: exclusive VR rights, audio environments, and interactive merchandise sales in the VR world could open up millions in revenue streams. Imagine buying a fighter’s virtual gloves after a split decisionor joining post-fight pressers as an avatar journalist. The possibilities are as endless as a five-round title fight in overtime.

The Verdict: Welcome to the Main Eventof the Future

Meta and UFC’s tech-meets-takedowns partnership might just redefine what it means to be a fan of combat sports. With the gritty realism of MMA now colliding with immersive virtual innovation, your next front-row seat might just be a headset away.

From cage-side to couch-side, the sport that built itself on visceral realism is now stepping into a new reality altogethervirtual, yet somehow more real than ever. UFC tapped gloves with the tech future, and we’re all ringside for it.


For more information on Meta’s immersive experiences, visit Meta.com. To explore upcoming UFC fights and current schedules, hit up UFC.com.

Matt Brown Says Conor McGregor Skipping Return Fight Means He Is Done

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McGregor Not Returning

If you’re still clutching onto the hope that Conor McGregor will ride back into the Octagon on a cloud of Irish swagger and chaos, it might be time to put down the Proper No. Twelve and accept the inevitable. According to veteran welterweight Matt Brown, the fight world’s most notorious cash cow isn’t mooing back to business anytime soon.

A Legend We’ll Miss, But No Longer Expect

In a recent appearance on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown didn’t mince words when asked about McGregor’s potential return. “He’s not coming back,” Brown said, blunt as a 2008 Chuck Liddell right hook. “We all know it. We just want to keep pretending.”

And really, who can blame Brown? The evidence has been mounting like unpaid parking tickets. McGregor hasn’t entered the cage since snapping his leg against Dustin Poirier nearly four years ago, and while his Instagram has been more active than a live-chat bot, fight bookings have been as elusive as a Diaz brother before media day.

Smoke, Mirrors, and Marketing

Earlier this year, UFC President Dana White hinted multiple times at McGregor facing Michael Chandler, going so far as to float a UFC 300 return. But here’s the thingthat never felt real. The date came and went, cards were stacked without “The Notorious,” and fans were left refreshing Twitter feeds like weather apps before a summer hurricane.

Brown sees it, you see it, and deep down, McGregor fans see it too. “They don’t want to let go of the image,” Brown added. “But the dude is done.” It’s a sentiment echoed among fighters, pundits, and hardcore fans alike. McGregor’s latest ventures have been less sweat-stained and more champagne-scripted: whiskey sales, movie roles, yachts, and headlines with dollar signs.

From King to Kingpin of the Outside World

Once the face of modern MMA, McGregor is now more celebrity entrepreneur than athlete. And make no mistakeit’s not a fall from grace. It’s a deluxe, first-class evolution. The man’s ambition always transcended fighting. He’s not just outside the sport nowhe’s above it, watching from the penthouse suite of life.

Brown’s analysis doesn’t come from bitterness; it comes from the grim realism of a fighter who knows what those gym wars feel like, and how addiction to the grind tends to fade when the bank account starts to resemble a Powerball jackpot.

“Once you step away from the fire, it’s not easy to walk back in. Especially when you’ve already danced in the flames and walked away rich.”

– Matt Brown

Fans Still Hoping for a Last Hurrah

Still, wishful thinking fuels combat sports like protein shakes fuel post-fight press conferences. Fans want to believe there’s one last left-hand nuke in McGregor’s arsenal. One final walkout, one more Dublin roar thundered from the rafters.

But Brown’s words strip away the illusion like a failed takedown attempt: “We keep holding out because he’s special. But if he was going to fight, he’d have done it by now.”

What We Knew, Just Said Out Loud

The truth is, Matt Brown is just saying what the UFC has been silently showing us for over a year. There’s no Chandler vs. McGregor, no UFC mega return, no Notorious redemption arc. The longer the silence echoes from McGregor’s end, the louder reality gets.

So go ahead, remember him for the electricity he broughtthe shots on Aldo, the wars with Diaz, the meteoric rise fueled by trash talk smoother than aged Irish whiskey. But adjust expectations accordingly. Because when Matt Brown says McGregor’s not returning, he’s not being a haterhe’s being the sport’s designated truth teller.

The Curtain Has Dropped. He’s Not Coming Through It.

At this point, holding your breath for McGregor’s return is like waiting for your ex to changecathartic at first, exhausting eventually. Matt Brown isn’t breaking news as much as he’s confirming the gut feeling we’ve all had: the McGregor era is over.

The biggest showman the UFC has ever seen now stars in a different kind of cageone built of fame, fortune, and freedom. And as Brown rightly pointed out, “when you have all those things, why come back to get punched in the face?”

Smart man, that Matt Brown.

Zack Snyder UFC Movie Brawler Teams with Saudi Arabia and Turki Alalshikh

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Zack Snyder UFC Movie

Brace yourselves, fight fans and film buffs alikeHollywood’s king of slow-mo carnage Zack Snyder is stepping into the Octagon for his next big-screen endeavor. No, he’s not trading his director’s chair for four-ounce gloves, but he is partnering with the UFC and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh to create an action-packed brawler of a film that promises to be anything but subtle. Think 300 with guillotines, or Army of the Dead with actual ground-and-pound.

A Punch-Packed Partnership

The announcement, which dropped faster than a McGregor counterpunch, revealed that Snyder has teamed up with Alalshikhthe entertainment visionary and sports czar behind Saudi Arabia’s increasingly ambitious cultural pushand the Ultimate Fighting Championship for a brand-new, testosterone-charged action movie titled The Brawler. Touted as a love letter to combat sports with a cinematic flair only Snyder could orchestrate, this collaboration already has cinephiles and fight enthusiasts shadowboxing in anticipation.

The Story Behind The Brawler

Details about the plot remain tightly guarded, like a rear-naked choke in the final seconds of a title bout, but Snyder offered this teaser: the story will follow an underdog fighter rising through the ranks of a brutal, underground fighting world. Expect visceral action, operatic visuals, and Snyder’s signature visual storytellingwhere every punch lands like a thunderclap and every slow-motion stare means trouble’s brewing.

“We’re crafting a story that feels both epic and incredibly personal,” said Snyder, speaking from the production hub established in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, which has recently become a hot spot for major film productions thanks to significant government investments. “The character work will be rich, the action authentic, and yesit will be violent as hell.”

Why UFC and Why Now?

This isn’t just Snyder going off the ropes for fun. The UFC itself is co-producing the project, signaling a massive shift toward blending sports entertainment with blockbuster storytelling. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.

With the UFC’s global brand stronger than evera mainstay in over 170 countries and bolstered by a historic merger with WWE last year under Endeavor’s TKO Groupits foray into cinema is equal parts strategic and sensational.

“The Brawler is going to put MMA where it belongson the big screen, front and center,” said Tracie Lange, UFC’s Senior VP of Production, who will oversee the studio’s involvement. “The goal is authenticity. If someone throws a leg kick, you’ll feel it in your seat.”

The Saudi Playbook

Behind this cinematic haymaker is none other than Turki Alalshikh, known for spearheading Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in sports, gaming, and entertainment through the country’s General Entertainment Authority. These days, Saudi isn’t just buying sports franchises or hosting global spectaclesit’s building the stories too. Alalshikh’s backing not only helps give the film financial muscle, but also fashionably positions it within Saudi’s ever-expanding media ambitions.

The movie will be developed under Saudi’s sprawling new media company, Big Time Investment, which Alalshikh founded and chairs. The company is already producing high-profile projects across the globeincluding a hotly anticipated Mike Tyson biopic starring Jamie Foxx.

Hollywood’s Fight Game

For Snyder, this is more than just stylized beatdowns. He’s assembling a stacked team for The Brawler, led by reliable producing partner Deborah Snyder and longtime collaborator Wesley Coller under their banner, The Stone Quarry. While casting is still in its early rounds, insiders hint at real-life UFC stars potentially throwing some cinematic elbows alongside Hollywood heavyweights. After all, anyone who’s seen Israel Adesanya walk to the cage knows UFC fighters have more charisma than a Hollywood red carpet.

Zack Snyder’s Creative UFC Debut

If anyone was going to blend blood, sweat, and cinematic tears, it’s Snyder. From Man of Steel to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, he’s built a reputation for delivering visual spectacles with mythic gravitas. Now he’s applying that same approach to the cageand not just for kicks. This isn’t a documentary; it’s a gritty, emotionally charged action epic attempting to deliver the heart of The Fighter with the intensity of John Wick.

“People think they know violence. Wait until they see a Zack Snyder fight scene built on UFC realism,” said one insider close to the project.

The Verdict: Will It Land a Knockout?

It’s early days still, and the Octagon lights haven’t dimmed for the clapperboard just yet. But with Snyder’s signature storytelling, UFC’s unparalleled brand recognition, and Saudi’s financial and logistical firepower, The Brawler is shaping up as one of the most intriguing crossovers we’ve seen in yearsequal parts sports fantasy, action blockbuster, and cultural statement.

Will it connect like a highlight reel spinning back kick? Or will it gas out in the third round?

All we know is that Zack Snyder has entered the cage, and the fight just got cinematic.

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