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UFC in Miami, Pico in the UFC, Ali Act in Danger"
3 Things to Know This Weekend
Ed Carbajal
April 11, 2025
Photo: UFC
UFC 314
The Bellator Card
UFC 314 is upon us in Miami this weekend.
Call me weird, but I’m more excited for the former Bellator champs fighting on this card than the main event. However, that’s pretty good too.
In the same week, we got news that another high-profile Bellator fighter signed with the UFC (Aaron Pico), and some bonus news late in the week about the GFL.
UFC 314 Preview
There’s a vacant featherweight title on the line.
But the undercard has Patricio Pitbull making his UFC debut, and Michael Chandler fighting Paddy Pimblett in what could be his swan song in MMA. My quick picks are Lopes, Chandler, Pitbull, Silva, and Krylov.
Want a full breakdown? Check out this week’s Coast-2-Coast Combat Hour:
Be sure to grab some Coast-2-Coast Combat Hour Merch on Millions!
Aaron Pico in the UFC
Photo: Ed Carbajal
Aaron Pico signed his UFC contract this week.
He’s a young fighter who went straight to the pros from wrestling in the Olympic trials. He went on a media tour last February to announce his free agency, and it looks like it paid off.
Now, if they can get Patchy Mix, AJ Mckee, Johny Eblen and a few others MMA can be fun again.
Michael Chandler and Patricio Pitbull on #UFC314 this week.
Plus, we get the news of Aaron Pico signing with the UFC, and they have already signed MVP.
Hopefully Eblen, Mix, McKee, and the rest aren't far behind.
Gotta catch em' all!
— Carbazel MMA 🥋 (@Carbazel)
5:10 PM • Apr 9, 2025
Ali Act
Photo: UFC
TKO, the parent company of the UFC, announced that it would go into boxing this year.
Their plan is to redesign boxing to make it like the UFC, which has gained a lot of popularity over boxing. However, what’s not popular is the UFC pay model, which boxing is protected from because of the Ali Act. Well, it looks like the TKO group is looking to make some amendments to the act, which could mean trouble for fighter paydays in boxing.
Erik Magraken of Combat Sports Law broke the news earlier this week, and it’s news worth watching since Michael Mazzulli, the current president of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, said they were going to work with TKO on these amendments.
The quote from Mazzulli:
“Presently the UFC/TKO is requesting an amendment change to the Mohammad Ali Act. The board of directors is working with them to make sure the ABC is still part of the federal law.”
That’s concerning, but we’ll see where this goes.
* Bonus News: GFL Stops Before it Starts
Photo: GFL
Some bonus news that broke late Wednesday night.
The GFL, which announced its debut event only two weeks ago, has already pulled the plug on the two-day event. In a statement to MMA Junkie, GFL founder Darren Owen said, “Our primary investor didn’t fulfill his April obligation which has caused some issues however we have a solution in place. We are likely going to have to launch in June, but 100% moving forward.”
I guess we’ll see.
But if one investor can cause you to shut down your weekend, it’s not looking good for you GFL.
Until next week, enjoy the fights.
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