Combat sports journalist Kyle Dimond has recently provided extensive coverage on various significant developments and discussions within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) landscape. His reporting spans upcoming event changes, such as a notable fight cancellation affecting the main card for UFC 316 scheduled in Newark, New Jersey, and updates on fighter arrangements, including the designated backup participant for the Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev middleweight championship contest planned for UFC 319 in Chicago.
Dimond`s articles frequently detail fighter plans and potential matchups. A prominent focus has been on lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev`s anticipated transition to the welterweight division. This coverage included insights into a former three-division world champion`s unexpected forecast for this career move and reports on discussions involving Makhachev`s management regarding the possibility of a future bout, potentially against recent standout Jack Della Maddalena, being hosted in Australia following the events of UFC 315. Furthermore, anticipation for the vacant lightweight title showdown between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira headlining UFC 317 during International Fight Week was noted, highlighting Topuria`s historical sequence of submission victories.
Analysis of recent event outcomes and noteworthy moments, particularly from UFC 315 in Montreal, has been a key part of Dimond`s work. He covered Jack Della Maddalena`s impactful win, which led to his debut in the pound-for-pound rankings, positioned above several active champions. The fallout from this event also included Della Maddalena`s coach offering advice to welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry about the importance of securing finishes and Della Maddalena himself addressing critical comments from a veteran fighter regarding his performance against Belal Muhammad. Dimond also documented Aiemann Zahabi`s meaningful victory over Jose Aldo, a moment described as coming full circle and seemingly marking the retirement of the former champion. Additionally, he recounted a peculiar past event from 2020 where UFC veteran Anthony Smith famously handed a detached tooth to the referee mid-fight after taking damage from an opponent who was later apologetic.
Beyond fight action, Dimond has relayed reactions and commentary from significant figures in the sport. He reported on UFC President Dana White`s strong dissatisfaction concerning a past incident where Jon Jones` actions led to the cancellation of a UFC pay-per-view event, a situation White labeled an “all-time low.” White`s candid and humorous remarks about the controversial judging and refereeing standards witnessed at UFC 315 were also covered, where he jokingly suggested a regional promotion`s officiating might be superior. Dimond also reported on a claim made by a UFC legend asserting their status as the “last double champ” following Islam Makhachev`s decision to vacate his lightweight belt. His coverage also featured an Olympic gold medalist wrestler`s somewhat surprising mention of a particular UFC star alongside Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev when discussing the best wrestlers currently competing in MMA. Lastly, Dimond noted an undefeated fighter who had previously captured Dana White`s attention during a UFC 308 press conference subsequently earning an opportunity to compete for a UFC contract via the “Lookin` For a Fight” series.
Gareth Tenby