Ilia Topuria – Fight Bananas Official

March 10, 2026

Published by Cody Merrow on March 10, 2026

MALKI KAWA’S SLEEPLESS UFC WHITE HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS

🥊 MALKI KAWA BREAKS DOWN THE ALL-NIGHT NEGOTIATION THAT BUILT ILIA TOPURIA vs. JUSTIN GAETHJE By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas | March 9, 2026 Live Producer, The Anik & Florian Podcast | Formerly of MMA Underground & The Pound 4 Pound Podcast Newsletter Malki Kawa had just undergone a heart procedure. It was Thursday. He was recovering. There was no fight. As far as the founder and CEO of First Round Management was concerned, […]

March 9, 2026

Published by Cody Merrow on March 9, 2026

Anik & Florian UFC 326 Recap with Malki Kawa was INSANE, Plus Din Thomas and Ray Longo

🥊 THE ANIK & FLORIAN PODCAST IS BACK ON THE SMOKE — AND EP. 586 DID NOT DISAPPOINT By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas | March 9, 2026 Live Producer, The Anik & Florian Podcast | Formerly of MMA Underground & The Pound 4 Pound Podcast Newsletter BUCKLE UP, Fight Bananas faithful, because Episode 586 of The Anik & Florian Podcast, now powered by All The Smoke Fight, was an absolute BANGER from the jump. […]

February 23, 2026

Published by Cody Merrow on February 23, 2026

Top 25 MMA Fighters RIGHT NOW — According to Gemini AI

As of February 2026, the UFC landscape has shifted significantly with several new champions and “double-champs” emerging. Popularity in the UFC is a mix of high-level skill (Pound-for-Pound rankings) and massive social media reach. Here are the 25 most popular and influential UFC fighters right now, categorized by their current status in the promotion: The “Superstars” (Elite Tier) These fighters lead the pack in terms of pay-per-view draw and global recognition: Ilia Topuria – The […]

February 22, 2026

Published by Cody Merrow on February 22, 2026

Michael Chiesa Announces Retirement Fight with Anik & Florian + Mario Bautista joins the show!

The Anik & Florian Podcast Is Back — And This Episode Was MUST-WATCH TV ? By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP, Fight Bananas faithful! Buckle up, because the Anik & Florian Podcast — now proudly partnered with All The Smoke Fight, powered by All The Smoke Productions — delivered one of its best episodes in recent memory this past Monday, and if you missed it, I don’t know what you were doing […]

February 13, 2026

Published by Will Brewer on February 13, 2026

The Weekly Rounds 2: UFC Heavyweight Division, Diaz, Ilia vs Islam, and more

What’s good FB family?! This is the 2nd edition of the Weekly Rounds, where I will give some thoughts on some topics around the world of MMA. The opinions are all mine, would love a good debate! By: Will Brewer Ok. Glove touch. HERE. WE. GO! Round 1: The State of the UFC Heavyweight Division Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Let’s just face it, The heavyweight division is in shambles right now. This is perhaps the worst […]

January 27, 2026

Published by Cody Merrow on January 27, 2026

THE ANIK & FLORIAN PODCAST IS BACK…AND IT’S SMOKING HOT!

Episode 580 Delivers NEW Partnership, Mighty Mouse, Dominick Cruz & ALL the UFC 324 Chaos By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas faithful! BUCKLE UP because after a six-week hiatus that felt like six YEARS, Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are BACK with the most loaded podcast episode of 2026. I’m talking Year 11. I’m talking a MASSIVE new partnership with All The Smoke Productions. I’m talking Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” […]

June 30, 2025

Published by Dave Van Auken on June 30, 2025

Topuria Makes History—Here’s Who Should Be Next

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for UFC 317’s Standout Winners UFC 317 delivered on its promise—fulfilling the hype with a lineup of thrilling bouts at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event offered multiple highlight-reel finishes, a fight that could rival any for “Fight of the Year,” and a record-breaking main event by Ilia Topuria. With the dust settling, here’s a look at what’s next for the main card victors. Ilia Topuria Ilia Topuria made […]

June 29, 2025

Published by Dave Van Auken on June 29, 2025

UFC 317 Results

UFC 317: Topuria Makes History, Van and Royval Go to War The UFC capped off International Fight Week with a stacked card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and four standout performances earned $50,000 bonuses as UFC 317 came to a close on Saturday night. Performance of the Night: Ilia TopuriaIlia Topuria continued his meteoric rise with a stunning first-round knockout of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. In less than half a round, Topuria showcased […]

June 26, 2025

Published by Dave Van Auken on June 26, 2025

UFC 317 Preview: Two Title Fights Set for International Fight Week

Everything You Need to Know About UFC 317: Full Main Card Breakdown International Fight Week has arrived, and as always, the UFC is marking the occasion with a massive pay-per-view event. UFC 317 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday, featuring two title fights at the top of the card. The vacant UFC lightweight title is on the line in the main event, as former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria moves up to […]

May 17, 2025

Published by Dave Van Auken on May 17, 2025

Paddy Pimblett Sees Topuria as Path to UFC Title

UFC Shake-Up: Pimblett Targets Lightweight Title in Post-Makhachev Era With Islam Makhachev officially moving up to welterweight, Paddy Pimblett sees a clear path opening toward a UFC lightweight title shot. UFC President Dana White confirmed this week that Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) will relinquish the 155-pound championship he’s held since 2022 to pursue a new challenge at 170 pounds. He’s expected to face newly crowned welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena later this year. As […]