UFC 2026 Predictions: O’Malley, Usman, and Unwanted Matchups
Dave Simon delivered his most controversial UFC 2026 predictions on Ringside Report MMA: the Paramount era will bring fights nobody wants. Sean O’Malley gets another undeserved title shot after one win over Song Yadong. Islam Makachev’s welterweight debut will be against Kamaru Usman instead of legitimate contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov. Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje fight for an interim lightweight title that means nothing. Dave, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia explained why the UFC’s subscription model will prioritize star power over merit, making 2026 “the year the UFC gives us a bunch of fights no one asked for.” Plus Merab Dvalishvili’s fighter-of-the-year debate after his UFC 323 loss, Brandon Royval vs Manel Kape predictions, and the six-week UFC drought before the Paramount deal begins.
UFC 323 Results: Why Our Merab Pick Was Dead Wrong (And AJ Called Van)
UFC 323 closed out 2025 with two title changes that will reshape the bantamweight and flyweight divisions. Petr Yan reclaimed the championship he lost four years ago with a decisive decision over Merab Dvalishvili — a result that proved the Ringside Report crew wrong on their biggest pick of the night. Meanwhile, Joshua Van became the second-youngest UFC champion in history after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a devastating arm injury just 26 seconds into their fight — a result AJ D’Alesio called on Thursday’s preview. Here’s the full breakdown plus our predictions report card.
UFC 323: Merab’s Historic Fourth Title Defense Against Undefeated Umar
UFC 323 goes down tomorrow night with Merab Dvalishvili attempting something no UFC champion has ever done – defending his title four times in a single calendar year. The Georgian champion faces former champion Petr Yan in a highly anticipated rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking the UFC’s last pay-per-view event before the new Paramount+ deal takes effect in 2026.
The co-main event features Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight championship against 24-year-old rising star Joshua Van. Plus Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira, Henry Cejudo’s potential retirement fight, and Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan “The Goose” Guskov.
Ringside Report MMA hosts Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio provide expert predictions including Dave’s three-fight parlay: Merab, Payton Talbott, and “The Goose” Guskov.
Is MERAB the Fighter of 2025?! UFC Vancouver Predictions + Pereira’s Next Fight Revealed | Betting Picks
Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia broke down this weekend’s UFC Vancouver Fight Night, but not before addressing some major MMA news from the past few weeks—including Alex Pereira’s stunning knockout of Magomed Ankalaev and the continued dominance of bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili. The Ringside Report MMA trio delivered their predictions and betting picks […]
Beyond The Main Event: Is Merab Dvalishvili The True P4P King at UFC 320?
In a sport where narratives are built around knockout power and main event clashes, sometimes the most compelling story unfolds just below the surface. At UFC 320, while the world watches the high-stakes light heavyweight title rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, the co-main event features a man who might be on the cusp of true greatness.
Merab Dvalishvili has already cleaned out a murderers’ row of contenders in the bantamweight division, a feat his championship-level resume proves. Yet, in the latest episode of Ringside Report MMA, hosts Dave Simon and Fred Garcia posed a question that will ignite debate among every fight fan: Could “The Machine” already be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?
Our hosts didn’t pull any punches, offering a breakdown that goes beyond the numbers to get to the heart of what makes Dvalishvili so special. From his relentless cardio and suffocating pressure to his strategic evolution as a mixed martial artist, the case for Merab is more than compelling—it’s undeniable.
Read on as we delve into the full, no-holds-barred analysis from the Ringside Report MMA crew. They break down not only the Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen co-main, but also the main event and the rest of the UFC 320 card, including their official parlay picks for your betting slips.
UFC 320 & UFC Perth: Ringside Report MMA Betting Picks & Predictions
Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio of Ringside Report MMA dive deep into the world of combat sports. Get their expert UFC betting picks, fight-by-fight analysis for UFC Perth, and an in-depth look at the main event of UFC 320, including bold Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira predictions.
Sean O’Malley Confounded by Loss to Merab Dvalishvili
In an unexpected twist, the highly anticipated bout at UFC 316 left fans stunned as Sean O’Malley found himself on the losing end against Merab Dvalishvili. Known for his flashy style and confident demeanor, O’Malley was left contemplating one of the most surprising losses of his career. This outcome not only shocked him but […]
UFC Books O’Malley vs Merab 2 Rematch, But Can They Build Stars Like Wrestling Does?
Ringside Report MMA reacts to O’Malley vs Merab 2 being booked for UFC 316. Hosts discuss the PFL season opener featuring Fred Dupras, analyze the UFC’s lack of big fights, potential Netflix deal, and preview UFC Vegas: Emmett vs Murphy with predictions. Is Conor McGregor done for good?
UFC Shake-Ups: Makhachev’s Quick UFC 311 Win, Merab’s Surge, and Adesanya’s Saudi Showdown
Get the latest on Islam Makhachev’s short-notice win, Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight surge, and Yiri Prochazka’s title hopes. We also explore “Dark Side of the Cage” stories about Kimbo Slice and Diego Sanchez, plus a preview of the next UFC show in Saudi Arabia.
UFC 311 Preview: Two of the Best Clash
UFC 311 brings a stacked main event with Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, plus Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at bantamweight. Dave, Fred, and AJ discuss every fight, share laughs with the live chat, and predict big performances from top fighters eager to make a statement in Inglewood.