One of the most controversial topics in the UFC is the fighters not receiving adequate payment for the hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears they put on the line every time they climb into the Octagon and put their life on the line to entertain us. It’s a delicate balancing act, but there’s no doubt that the UFC benefits from being the monopoly in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, with other organizations not having anywhere near the size, stature, or reputation of Dana White, who is the monolith who runs the day to day operations of the business.

It’s a touchy subject in any field. Still, in professional sports entertainment, there’s a considerable disparity between MMA and many other professional sports. MMA and boxing are duopolies in the world of combat sports. Both call Las Vegas home for their biggest super fights, which allows sports fans to bet on the outcome, play casino games, and breathe in the magnificent atmosphere of fight week.

The UFC is a sport that has its ebbs and flows. While some fans enjoy the weekly fight nights and the lower-tier bouts, for many fans, the excitement comes from the packed stadiums and watching the big names square off. For fans that love the biggest fights and the most incredible showcases, July is set to be a month that should not be missed out on.

July will feature two, I repeat, two separate major UFC events that will take place three weeks apart. With a packed slate of programming featuring several of the biggest fighters in the sport, fans and bettors alike will not want to miss out. Before you start wagering on these events on sportsbooks like PowerPlay betting, you’ll probably want the low-down on who’s fighting and who looks likely to emerge victorious. We’re here to help with a look at six of the main fights being held during UFC 290 and UFC 291 that have July poised to become maybe the best UFC month ever.

 Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez

 Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez is the main event for UFC 290. It features a unification bout for the featherweight championship between the two current holders. This is an exciting fight because it marks Volkanovski’s return to the division that he has spent the past several years dominating. Volkanovski is an all-time great and will be the heavy favorite, but Rodriguez’s champion status was earned as well. It should be a tight battle, but all projections have Volkanovski triumphing. Can Rodriguez shock the world, or will Volk’s striking and all-around game be too much to handle?

More and more people are becoming interested in MMA as the sport’s popularity rises. Despite mixed martial arts (and the UFC’s) meteoric rise from its imbalance and freakshow roots to the status of genuine, respectable, and immensely popular sport it is today, not everyone knows about it.

Therefore, in response to many inquiries regarding MMA, we have compiled a list of things most people don’t know about the sport. Before we dive into what MMA entails, it is worth noting that online casinos are also rising in popularity, and with online slots real money South Africa platforms available, you can enjoy your favorite slots whenever and wherever – even on your phone while watching MMA fights.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become a global sensation with athletes from all corners of the world showcasing their prowess in the cage. Amid this international mix, the state of Wisconsin, USA, has nurtured some remarkable talents, producing fighters who have left a decent mark on the sport.

The Badger State’s Best

Wisconsin has proven itself to be quite impactful on the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) scene. Producing a number of top-tier fighters who have come under the spotlight in various MMA organizations, Wisconsin’s influence in the sport is undeniable. In the following section, we’ll take a closer look at these athletes – the finest MMA fighters hailing from the Badger State.

Anthony Pettis

Born in Milwaukee, Anthony Pettis is a name that resounds in the MMA world. Known for his versatility, Pettis has competed in the Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions of the UFC and PFL. His journey started with taekwondo and boxing training at the tender age of 5, eventually adding capoeira to his repertoire. As a former UFC Lightweight Champion and the final WEC Lightweight Champion, Pettis’ career boasts 25 wins in 39 fights, solidifying his place as one of Wisconsin’s finest.

The highly anticipated bantamweight title fight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, ended with Aljamain Sterling emerging victorious over former champion Henry Cejudo. The fight headlined the pay-per-view card and was highly competitive, with both fighters showcasing their skills and techniques.

Sterling managed to land crucial takedowns and was more active in striking, ultimately securing a split decision win (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) in his third title defense. Despite the close nature of the fight, Sterling’s victory was disputed, with many fans and experts arguing that Cejudo deserved the win.

Cejudo’s Return to the Octagon

The fight was Cejudo’s first since his abrupt retirement following a May 2020 title defense against Dominick Cruz. Despite being away from the sport for three years, Cejudo showed no signs of ring rust and gave Sterling a tough challenge throughout the fight. Although he could not keep Sterling down or make him pay, Cejudo managed to take him down and excelled in striking during the championship rounds.

The charismatic and eternally self-assured Irishman was arguably the biggest crossover star in any sport throughout the previous decade. The culmination of his popularity sent him on a collision course with Floyd Mayweather Jr, which became one of the most bought PPV events ever.

McGregor has had many high points in his career, and as he reaches the end of such an extraordinary journey, many have pondered whether he has enough left in the tank to make one last serious run at the big names in the division. Rumors that he is looking to campaign at welterweight pose a few serious questions about whether he has enough left in the tank to reach the zenith of cage fighting at a third weight class.

Dana White took a big gamble on McGregor, and it paid off. He has generated billions of dollars for the UFC and brought a new generation of fans to the sport. Dana White has been known to gamble on other things other than big business moves, too, and is no stranger to some of the high-roller tables in Las Vegas.

Jon Jones has already made a big comeback in 2023 to land the heavyweight title in the UFC, with victory coming over Ciryl Gane. Jones may not be the last big name to make a successful return to the Octagon this year.

Jones is now at the top of the pound-for-pound list in the UFC following his successful comeback. Here is a look at three fighters who could replicate what he has done if they feature in the sport this year.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport that incorporates several martial arts styles, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling. MMA has gained immense popularity in recent years and has become a popular choice for those looking to stay fit, learn self-defense, and even compete professionally.

There are some crucial considerations to make if you want to begin your MMA journey. Here are 9 tips to help you in starting your MMA journey and achieving your objectives.

Ethnic Kazakh from China Sairan Nurdanbek (39-10) performed at the UFC 287 mixed martial arts tournament in Miami (USA, Florida). Nurdanbek fought with American Steve Garcia (13-5). This fight took place in the featherweight division and was scheduled for three rounds. It ended with the victory of the fighter from the USA by knockout in the second round. Thus, Steve Garcia won the fourteenth victory in his professional career, and Sairan Nurdanbek suffered the eleventh defeat. As for Nurdanbek’s performances in the UFC, he spent five fights in the largest promotion: his record is three wins and two losses.

Fresh on the heels of a historic rematch for the UFC middleweight belt, both the champion and the challenger are seeking to broaden their MMA horizons by moving up to 205 lbs.  This doesn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone: the once again middleweight champ Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya has already tested his luck at a higher weight class, losing a unanimous decision to Jan Blachowitz at UFC 259. Meanwhile Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira has competed as a light-heavyweight in kickboxing in the past, and is a huge middleweight by UFC standards.

While Pereira and Adesanya moving up in weight seems almost inevitable, it does throw two already tumultuous UFC division into further disarray.  Read on for my thoughts on the state of the 185 lbs and 205 lbs weight classes in the UFC, or if you are just here for the gambling content, you can waste some time playing slots with no deposit bonus 2023 Germany.