In this action-packed episode of Budocast, we break down the biggest headlines reshaping combat sports across MMA, Submission Grappling, and Muay Thai! We kick off with Conor McGregor spotted on crutches as he begins rehabilitation following ACL surgery, detailing his targeted timeline for one final UFC contract appearance. Then, we react to Dana White’s public push for heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to vacate his title after extended downtime from eye surgeries.

Plus, we examine Jean Silva’s wild submission win at Noche UFC 4[5][6], why he handed his gloves directly to UFC executive Hunter Campbell, and Carlos Prates’ chilling warning to pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev. Finally, we celebrate historic gold medal runs at the 2026 ADCC World Championshipsand Yod-IQ’s Muay Thai championship victory at Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.

• Conor McGregor Recovery & UFC Return Plan: Analysis of McGregor using crutches after knee surgery to repair his ACL and meniscus following a 69-second stoppage at UFC 329. We discuss his target to return for International Fight Week in summer 2027 for his final contract bout
• Dana White Urges Tom Aspinall to Vacate Title: Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall approaches a full year away from competition while healing from double eye surgery[4]. Dana White signals intent to sit down with Aspinall's camp so the division isn't tied up.
• Jean Silva's Noche UFC 4 Rehearsed Submission: Fighting Nerds star Jean Silva breaks down his third-round rear-naked choke over Jose Delgado. Silva explains jumping the cage to give his fight gloves to Hunter Campbell[7] and calling for the winner of Volkanovski vs. Evloev.
• Carlos Prates vs. Islam Makhachev Welterweight Tension: Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates vows that Makhachev will pay for his grueling training camp[8][9], boldly predicting the Russian champion's record will drop to 29-2 when they meet in the Octagon.
• Historical ADCC 2026 World Championships in Krakow: 19-year-old phenom Helena Crevar becomes the youngest female champion in ADCC history with a 100% submission run in the +65KG bracket. Local star Pawel Jaworski makes history as the first Polish grappler to capture ADCC gold using modern leg-lock attacks in the -88KG category.
• ONE Championship Muay Thai World Title: Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri outpoints Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon over five rounds at Lumpinee Stadium to claim the vacant ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.

UFC Conor McGregor Tom Aspinall Dana White Jean Silva Noche UFC 4 Fighting Nerds Carlos Prates Islam Makhachev ADCC 2026 Helena Crevar Pawel Jaworski Submission Grappling ONE Championship Yod-IQ Muay Thai BJJ MMA News Budocast

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From the dojo to the octagon—this is Budocast. Your source for the latest in martial arts news, culture, and competition. From breaking fight results to evolving techniques, we cover it all.In this action-packed episode, we break down a massive wave of news shaking up the MMA world:

• UFC Paris Firepower: We discuss Featherweight Losene Keita’s stunning first-round knockout of Muhammad Naimov and Michael "Venom" Page's unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev, as MVP admits he is "holding back" and needs to take more risks in the Octagon.
• Marlon Moraes’ Wild Traffic Stop: Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes, now working as a South Florida police officer, goes viral after using a clean hip toss to ground an aggressive, verbal motorist.
• Wrestling vs. MMA: Reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev responds to Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs’ wrestling callout with a clear condition: they must settle it inside the cage.
• Controversy in the Heavyweight Division: Undefeated UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit sparks major social media backlash with polarizing comments regarding the high-profile Lindsay Clancy trial.
• Title Rematches & Rumors: We dig into Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett's reaction to rumored December matchups against rival Ilia Topuria, alongside Jon Anik's inside scoop on internal discussions for a massive Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria 2 lightweight title rematch.
• Rakhmonov Sidelined: Welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals details of a severe knee injury sustained before his December 2024 bout with Ian Garry that leaves his UFC return highly uncertain.
• Costa Slams UFC Politics: Paulo Costa voices frustration over perceived UFC double standards, questioning why Alex Pereira is ranked fourth in the heavyweight division without a single victory there.

SPONSORS: Before we dive deeper, shoutout to our sponsors.First up—Elite Sports, leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you’re rolling or striking, they’ve got gear built to move with you. Check them out at EliteSports.com.And if you're a school owner looking to optimize your dojo’s performance, you need to check out Lotus by Open Black Belt. It’s the ultimate management software for tracking ranks, attendance, and billing. They are currently offering a free trial to our listeners. Streamline your business so you can spend more time on the mats. Visit OpenBlackBelt.com to start your trial today. You can find links for both in the show notes.And if you’ve got a story, news tip, or question—send it to us at Budocast.com.Until next time—train hard, stay humble.

n this episode, we unpack one of the most stunning weekends in combat sports history, headlined by the seismic shockwave sent through UFC Shanghai. We break down how massive underdog Song Yadong shook the world by knocking out bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov with a devastating, perfectly timed punch, shattering the historic aura of Dagestani dominance. We also discuss Umar's immediate post-fight statement promising to fix his mistakes and make a stronger return.Then, we shift our focus to Istanbul, Turkey, for the historic grappling showcases at ACBJJ 22. We analyze the highly anticipated competitive return of featherweight legend Zabit Magomedsharipov in a grueling victory over current UFC contender Youssef Zalal. Plus, we cover UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad's rear-naked choke finish and Middleweight contender Brendan Allen’s masterclass heel-hook victory to defend his ACBJJ All-Stars title against Team Khabib's Magomedrasul Gasanov.Finally, we go inside the training secrets of Ronda Rousey as she utilizes revolutionary, data-driven visualization and physical coaching under Ricky Lundell to prepare for her blockbuster showdown with Gina Carano. We also check in on Justin Gaethje's recovery as he nurses lingering hand damage from his brutal White House victory over Ilia Topuria, and grade the highly explosive performances of UFC Shanghai's breakout rookies, including Bilal Hasan, Liu Ce, Francesco Nuzzi, and Hector Santiago.Train hard, stay humble!Show Notes & Sponsors

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you’re rolling or striking, they’ve got gear built to move with you. Check them out at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate management software for dojo performance, tracking ranks, attendance, and billing. Take advantage of their exclusive free trial at OpenBlackBelt.com.
• Budocast Community: Have a story, news tip, or burning question? Send it over to Budocast.com and your question might get answered on our next episode!

Welcome back to Budocast, your ultimate destination for martial arts news, fight results, and combat culture! In this episode, we break down the wild aftermath of UFC Sacramento, where Gregory Rodrigues took a hard-fought unanimous decision over Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez in an absolute war that secured Fight of the Night honors. But the drama didn't stop in the Octagon—Hernandez has publicly accused "RoboCop" of cheating by repeatedly grabbing the inside of his gloves during grappling exchanges. We also react to Chris Padilla’s thrilling buzzer-beater standing arm-triangle submission of Nasrat Haqparast and his post-fight callout of UFC legend Jim Miller.Beyond Sacramento, we address the legal troubles of former UFC fighter and analyst Anthony Smith, who has officially broken his silence on social media following his arrest on multiple felony domestic violence and false imprisonment charges, promising that he will tell his story soon.Then, we dive into the wild world of crossover combat sports! From PFL Tampa, we dissect Cris Cyborg's gritty victory over Ketlen Vieira and PFL CEO John Martin’s hints at a massive boxing matchup against Claressa Shields following the PFL-MVP merger. Plus, we cover the sheer madness of Brand Risk 15, highlighting Austin McBroom’s brutal knockout of FaZe Temperrr and Anderson Silva’s son, Gabe Silva, crushing Kimbo Slice Jr.Finally, we look ahead to the newly revealed dates and locations for the final major events of 2026: UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden and UFC 335 at Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena.Sponsors & LinksThis episode is proudly brought to you by:

• Elite Sports: The industry leaders in premium, high-quality fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Designed for ultimate durability, mobility, and style. Elevate your training today at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate martial arts school management software. Effortlessly track student ranks, attendance, and billing. Get your business running smoothly so you can focus on the mats. Sign up for a free trial at OpenBlackBelt.com.

Got a story, news tip, or a question for the show? Reach out to us at Budocast.com.Train hard, stay humble.

From the dojo to the octagon—welcome back to Budocast! In this jam-packed episode, we are breaking down all the massive fallout, shocking retirements, and historic milestones from a wild UFC 330 in Philadelphia.

In This Episode:

• The End of an Era: We react to the stunning announcement from veteran coach Din Thomas, who officially retired from cornering fighters immediately following Gillian Robertson's tough five-round co-main event battle.
• Dern Solidifies the Throne: Mackenzie Dern successfully defends her strawweight title, shutting down Robertson's grappling and proving she is the undisputed queen of the division.
• A Terrifying Warning: Welterweight contender Carlos Prates doesn't mince words, sending a chilling knockout threat to pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev.
• Historic Milestones & Rare Submissions: We break down Charles Johnson's spectacular "Scottish twister" submission and celebrate Neil Magny tying Charles Oliveira for second-most wins in UFC history. Plus, we pay tribute to the retiring veteran Edson Barboza.
• Beyond the Octagon: We discuss GLORY Kickboxing CEO Marshall Zelaznik's controversial "we don't pay for names" stance amidst a champion exodus and Sharif Rahman's bold move to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.

Popular Keywords: UFC 330, Islam Makhachev, Mackenzie Dern, Din Thomas, Gillian Robertson, Carlos Prates, Neil Magny, Charles Johnson, BJJ, MMA, Submission, Kickboxing, Bare Knuckle Boxing.

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From local dojos to the global stage, we break down the biggest stories in combat sports and martial arts culture! In this jam-packed episode of Budocast, we cover everything from viral celebrity marriages to intense championship mental warfare.

Here’s what we dive into in this episode:

• McGregor Reacts to Ronaldo’s Wedding: Conor McGregor shares a warm, six-word congratulations as his friend Cristiano Ronaldo ties the knot with Georgina Rodriguez in a private ceremony. We also unpack those wild rumors about McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov landing on the exclusive guest list.
• Ian Garry’s Vegan Controversy & UFC 330 Drama: Welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry sparks a fan meltdown by announcing his vegan lifestyle and PETA partnership ahead of his title clash. Plus, we discuss the psychological battle after Garry claimed champion Islam Makhachev showed "nervous energy" during their first face-off—and Makhachev's hilarious response.
• Masvidal’s Chilling Prediction: Former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal weighs in on the UFC 330 main event, predicting how Makhachev will ultimately "break" and choke out the challenger.
• BKFC & James Brown Part Ways: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship splits with top featherweight contender James "Get Down" Brown. We share Brown's exclusive comments on his quest to stay active and chase a world title.
• The Martial Arts Grassroots Movement: Why families are increasingly choosing MMA over traditional team sports to build confidence, self-control, and focus in young children. We also celebrate Witney's own young karate prodigies selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Karate Championships.

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you're rolling on the mats or striking in the cage, they have got gear built to move with you. High-quality construction meets sleek design. Gear up today at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate dojo management software designed specifically for martial arts school owners. Streamline your business by tracking student ranks, managing class attendance, and automating your billing. Spend less time on administrative paperwork and more time on the mats! Lotus is currently offering a free trial exclusively for Budocast listeners. Start your trial today at OpenBlackBelt.com.

• Have a story, news tip, or a question for the hosts? Send it over to us at Budocast.com or drop us an email at [email protected].
• Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Budocast on Spotify to help us bring you more of the best martial arts insights!
• Train hard, stay humble. 🥋

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Welcome back to another action-packed episode of Budocast! From the dojo to the octagon—we’re breaking down the most significant stories in combat sports, martial arts culture, and influencer spectacles.In this episode, we unpack the massive fallout from UFC Vegas 120, where rising lightweight Quillan Salkilld shocked the division by tapping out the No. 6 ranked Mateusz Gamrot with a spectacular first-round rear-naked choke. We also dive into Dana White’s bizarre ring card girl controversy at Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin. Dana explains why the UK’s modern equality guidelines—which pressured the promotion to use "ring card boys" alongside girls—led him to scrap the ring cards entirely.Next, we shift our focus to the major shakeups at UFC 331, where Arman Tsarukyan is now booked against the dangerous Mauricio Ruffy. We cover the heartbreaking reason behind Charles Oliveira's withdrawal from the original bout, following the tragic passing of his beloved teammate and flyweight veteran, Allan Nascimento.On the influencer and celebrity side, we preview the highly anticipated clash of legacies at Brand Risk 15, where Anderson Silva's son, Gabriel Silva, locks horns with Kimbo Slice's son, Kevin "Baby Slice" Ferguson Jr. in a Miami boxing ring. Plus, we discuss Bryan Battle’s split-decision victory over Dalton Rosta at PFL Charlotte and his bold call-out of Jake Paul.To wrap things up, we react to the viral footage of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg light sparring on a floating lake platform with former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, discuss the UFC's newly announced return to Utah for UFC 332, and celebrate traditional martial arts mastery as Milton, Wisconsin’s own Michael Plessel earns the prestigious title of Taekwondo Chief Master after nearly 40 years of dedication.Episode Timestamps:

• Budocast Intro: Welcome & Episode Overview
• UFC Vegas 120 Breakdown: Quillan Salkilld’s dominant submission of Mateusz Gamrot
• Zuffa Boxing 10 & Dana White’s Ring Girl Controversy
• Mid-Roll Sponsor Break: Elite Sports & Lotus by Open Black Belt
• UFC 331 Matchmaking & Charles Oliveira’s Tragic Loss
• Influencer Boxing & Mergers: Gabriel Silva vs. Baby Slice & Bryan Battle Calls Out Jake Paul
• Zuckerberg Spars Merab Dvalishvili on a Lake Platform
• UFC 332 set for Salt Lake City
• Traditional Mastery: Taekwondo Instructor Michael Plessel achieves Chief Master
• Budocast Outro: Final Thoughts & Training Takeaways

• Elite Sports: Looking for premium, durable fight wear built to move with you? Head over to EliteSports.com to check out their world-class BJJ and MMA gear.
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• Submit Your Tips: Have a news tip, technical question, or local martial arts story? Send it to the team at Budocast.com.

UFC Vegas 120 results, Quillan Salkilld vs Mateusz Gamrot, Dana White ring card girls, Zuffa Boxing 10 Dublin, Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy, Charles Oliveira Allan Nascimento, Gabriel Silva vs Kevin Ferguson Jr, Baby Slice Brand Risk 15, Bryan Battle Jake Paul, Mark Zuckerberg Merab Dvalishvili lake sparring, Michael Plessel Taekwondo Chief Master, UFC 332 Salt Lake City, Budocast MMA podcast

From the dojo to the octagon—this is Budocast, your source for the latest in martial arts news, culture, and competition. In this episode, we cover a range of powerful stories moving the needle in the combat sports world today.We begin with a heavy heart, honoring the life and legacy of UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento, who tragically passed away at the age of 34. We discuss his career highlights, his time training at Chute Boxe, and the moving tributes from teammates like Charles Oliveira.Shifting to the pits of Karate Combat 62, we break down the gritty main event where Sam Alvey secured a bloody unanimous decision victory over Uriah Hall in a successful title defense. We also dive into an inspiring story of perseverance as Brendan Ryan, a Taekwondo black belt with Down syndrome, lands national titles and is named Para Athlete of the Year.Additionally, we look at the evolving business landscape of the Lingerie Fighting Championships (LFC) as they engage new corporate partnership strategies. We round out the episode with community-focused news, including Unity Martial Arts’ upcoming self-defense seminars for women and girls, and the spectacular opening of the 9th International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts.Episode Keywords: UFC, MMA News, Karate Combat 62, Sam Alvey vs Uriah Hall, Allan Nascimento tribute, Taekwondo, Self-Defense, Martial Arts Culture, Para Athlete, BJJ, Combat Sports Business.Our Sponsors:

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you’re rolling or striking, they’ve got gear built to move with you. Check them out at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate management software for dojo owners looking to optimize performance, tracking ranks, attendance, and billing. Visit OpenBlackBelt.com to start your free trial today and streamline your business so you can spend more time on the mats.

Connect With Us: Have a story, news tip, or question? Send it to us at Budocast.com.Train hard, stay humble.

In this episode of Budocast, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of combat sports, from the UFC octagon to the rising dominance of bare-knuckle rings. We start with Islam Makhachev, who has officially rejected the early retirement path of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev is now fixated on cementing a lasting legacy, eyeing Anderson Silva’s consecutive win record as he prepares to defend his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330.We also address the developing legal situation surrounding former title challenger Anthony Smith following his arrest in Nebraska. Smith’s manager and his wife, Mikhala, have released statements clarifying that the incident stemmed from a mental health struggle, with his wife emphasizing that she has always been safe and that Smith is a "good man" and "incredible husband".In the world of crossover sports, Jake Paul has sparked a new firestorm by offering $1 million to any NFL player who can outbox him. Undefeated UFC heavyweight and former NFL player Josh Hokit has stepped up to the plate, claiming he could beat Paul in any sport "under the sun".Plus, we break down why Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) is "knocking out the competition". Following a massive merger, BKB has become the world’s largest professional bare-knuckle promotion, utilizing its patented Trigon triangle ring to ensure high-intensity action. We also recap the dominant performance by Usman Nurmagomedov at PFL New York, where he retained his lightweight title under the watchful eye of the newly merged MVP and PFL leadership.Finally, we take a global look at martial arts culture, from the USA International Martial Arts Championships in Ohio to the spectacular 9th International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in Gia Lai, where nearly 1,000 practitioners gathered to celebrate heritage and resilience.Keywords: MMA, UFC, Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bare Knuckle Boxing, BKB, Jake Paul, Josh Hokit, PFL, Usman Nurmagomedov, Anthony Smith, Conor McGregor, Martial Arts, Wushu, Kung Fu.Episode Sponsors:

• Elite Sports: Leaders in premium fight wear for BJJ and MMA. Whether you’re rolling or striking, they’ve got gear built to move with you. Check them out at EliteSports.com.
• Lotus by Open Black Belt: The ultimate management software for dojo owners. Track ranks, attendance, and billing effortlessly. Streamline your business so you can spend more time on the mats. Visit OpenBlackBelt.com to start your free trial today.

Welcome to Budocast, your ultimate source for the latest in martial arts news and culture. In this episode, we break down the high-stakes drama from UFC Abu Dhabi, where Magomed Ankalaev secured a fifth-round TKO over Bogdan Guskov and immediately fired back at Paulo Costa for calling the performance a "snoozefest."We also discuss the major industry shift for Dustin Poirier, who confirmed that Bud Light terminated his sponsorship following a public intoxication arrest at an Atlanta airport. In the boxing world, Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided disaster, surviving two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga and keep a blockbuster domestic clash with Tyson Fury on the table.The action doesn't stop there—we cover the viral debut of Amado Vargas in Bare Knuckle Boxing, where he was physically kicked out of the ring before returning a minute later to deliver a stunning knockout. Plus, we delve into Rose Namajunas’s "soul searching" as she recovers from eye surgery and the polarizing announcement of Mike Perry vs. Dillon Danis for a new mixed combat show in Florida. Finally, we wrap up with results from PFL DC, where Thad Jean successfully defended his welterweight title in a grueling war.Train hard, stay humble—this is Budocast.