MMA News and Articles by Brian Knapp

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en" class="light"> <head> <title>MMA News and Articles by Brian Knapp - Sherdog.com</title><meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="author" content="Sherdog.com" > <meta name="publisher" content="Sherdog.com" > <meta name="copyright" content="2025 - Sherdog.com" > <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no" > <meta name="robots" content="index, follow" > <meta name="googlebot" content="index, follow" > <meta name="description" content="An award-winning writer and editor based near Atlanta, Brian Knapp has spent the last 27 years as a journalist and serves as features editor for Sherdog.com. Prior to his move to the MMA world, Brian worked as sports editor and managing editor of The Covington News, a tri-weekly newspaper in Covington, Georgia. His work has appeared on Yahoo, ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, TheFightNetwork.com, CagePotato.com, Covers.com, Mandatory.com and in Real Fighter, ChopTalk, Ultimate MMA, Sports Spectrum, We Are Henry and The Newton Community magazines. Brian married his wife, Holly, in 2001. They have two sons, Gehrig and Gibson. " > <meta name="location" content="" > <meta name="ir-site-verification-token" content="816654511" ><meta property="fb:admins" content="100000399936875" /><meta property="og:description" content="An award-winning writer and editor based near Atlanta, Brian Knapp has spent the last 27 years as a journalist and serves as features editor for Sherdog.com. Prior to his move to the MMA world, Brian worked as sports editor and managing editor of The Covington News, a tri-weekly newspaper in Covington, Georgia. His work has appeared on Yahoo, ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, TheFightNetwork.com, CagePotato.com, Covers.com, Mandatory.com and in Real Fighter, ChopTalk, Ultimate MMA, Sports Spectrum, We Are Henry and The Newton Community magazines. Brian married his wife, Holly, in 2001. They have two sons, Gehrig and Gibson. 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class="inner-wrapper"> <div class="col-left"> <article> <div class="article"> <div class="header" > <div class="section_title"> <h1>Brian Knapp</h1> </div> <div class="author-info"> <img src="/image_crop/72/72/_images/authors/20111018082605_Knapp.JPG" class="profile_image" alt="Author name" /> An award-winning writer and editor based near Atlanta, Brian Knapp has spent the last 27 years as a journalist and serves as features editor for Sherdog.com. Prior to his move to the MMA world, Brian worked as sports editor and managing editor of The Covington News, a tri-weekly newspaper in Covington, Georgia. His work has appeared on Yahoo, ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, TheFightNetwork.com, CagePotato.com, Covers.com, Mandatory.com and in Real Fighter, ChopTalk, Ultimate MMA, Sports Spectrum, We Are Henry and The Newton Community magazines. <BR><BR>Brian married his wife, Holly, in 2001. 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Suspended 9 Months for Altercation with Fan at UFC 310</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Referee-Judges-Assigned-for-UFC-313-Headliner-196267">Referee, Judges Assigned for UFC 313 Headliner</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Lightweight-Rosters-Announced-for-2025-PFL-World-Tournament-196261">Lightweight Rosters Announced for 2025 PFL World Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Dan-Hooker-Details-Injury-That-Forced-Exit-from-UFC-313-CoHeadliner-196260">Dan Hooker Details Injury That Forced Exit from UFC 313 Co-Headliner</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Melquizael-Costa-Makes-Quick-Turnaround-Faces-Christian-Rodriguez-at-UFC-Mexico-City-196259">Melquizael Costa Makes Quick Turnaround, Faces Christian Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="right-tabs-content news-tab-ufc" style="display: none;"><div class="module_list_generic latest_articles"><ul><li><a href="/news/news/Rafael-Fiziev-Steps-in-to-Meet-Justin-Gaethje-in-New-UFC-313-CoFeature-196271">Rafael Fiziev Steps in to Meet Justin Gaethje in New UFC 313 Co-Feature</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/UFC-314-Update-Jean-Silva-to-Face-Bryce-Mitchell-in-Miami-196270">UFC 314 Update: Jean Silva to Face Bryce Mitchell in Miami</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Khalil-Rountree-vs-Jamahal-Hill-to-Serve-as-Main-Event-for-UFC-Kansas-City-on-April-26-196269">Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill to Serve as Main Event for UFC Kansas City on April 26</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Dennis-Buzukja-Fined-Suspended-9-Months-for-Altercation-with-Fan-at-UFC-310-196268">Dennis Buzukja Fined, Suspended 9 Months for Altercation with Fan at UFC 310</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Referee-Judges-Assigned-for-UFC-313-Headliner-196267">Referee, Judges Assigned for UFC 313 Headliner</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Dan-Hooker-Details-Injury-That-Forced-Exit-from-UFC-313-CoHeadliner-196260">Dan Hooker Details Injury That Forced Exit from UFC 313 Co-Headliner</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Melquizael-Costa-Makes-Quick-Turnaround-Faces-Christian-Rodriguez-at-UFC-Mexico-City-196259">Melquizael Costa Makes Quick Turnaround, Faces Christian Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Robert-Whittaker-Intrigued-by-Potential-Sean-Strickland-Fight-196257">Robert Whittaker Intrigued by Potential Sean Strickland Fight</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="right-tabs-content news-tab-pfl" style="display: none;"><div class="module_list_generic latest_articles"><ul><li><a href="/news/news/Lightweight-Rosters-Announced-for-2025-PFL-World-Tournament-196261">Lightweight Rosters Announced for 2025 PFL World Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Middleweight-Field-Set-for-2025-PFL-World-Tournament-196256">Middleweight Field Set for 2025 PFL World Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/PFL-Releases-2025-Bantamweight-Bracket-for-World-Tournament-196220">PFL Releases 2025 Bantamweight Bracket for World Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/PFL-Reveals-Lineup-for-2025-World-Flyweight-Tournament-196197">PFL Reveals Lineup for 2025 World Flyweight Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/PFL-CEO-All-Options-on-the-Table-for-Francis-Ngannou-196153">PFL CEO: All Options on the Table for Francis Ngannou</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/PFL-on-a-Mission-to-Develop-Next-Generation-of-Mixed-Martial-Artists-196151">PFL on a ‘Mission’ to Develop Next Generation of Mixed Martial Artists</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/Welterweight-Featherweight-Rosters-Set-for-2025-PFL-World-Tournament-196142">Welterweight, Featherweight Rosters Set for 2025 PFL World Tournament</a></li><li><a href="/news/news/PFL-Reveals-First-Four-Dates-for-2025-World-Tournament-196123">PFL Reveals First Four Dates for 2025 World Tournament</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </div>   <div class="right-module tabbed-content"> <div class="yellow-title"><h3>EVENTS / FIGHTS</h3></div> <div class="right-tabs"> <a href="/organizations/Ultimate-Fighting-Championship-UFC-2" data-rel="event-tab-ufc">UFC</a><a href="/organizations/Professional-Fighters-League-12241" data-rel="event-tab-pfl">PFL</a> <a href="/events">MORE</a> </div> <div class="right-tabs-content event-tab-ufc" style="display:none;"> <a href="/events/UFC-Fight-Night-253-Kape-vs-Almabayev-105575"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Mar</div><div>01</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>UFC Fight Night 253</b> Kape vs. Almabayev </div> </a> <a href="/events/UFC-313-Pereira-vs-Ankalaev-105788"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Mar</div><div>08</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>UFC 313</b> Pereira vs. Ankalaev </div> </a> <a href="/events/UFC-Fight-Night-254-Vettori-vs-Dolidze-2-105789"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Mar</div><div>15</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>UFC Fight Night 254</b> Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 </div> </a> <a href="/events/UFC-Fight-Night-255-Edwards-vs-Brady-105670"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Mar</div><div>22</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>UFC Fight Night 255</b> Edwards vs. Brady </div> </a> <a href="/events/UFC-on-ESPN-64-Moreno-vs-Erceg-105790"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Mar</div><div>29</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>UFC on ESPN 64</b> Moreno vs. Erceg </div> </a> </div><div class="right-tabs-content event-tab-pfl" style="display:none;"> <a href="/events/Professional-Fighters-League-2025-World-Tournament-First-Round-1-106667"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Apr</div><div>03</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>Professional Fighters League</b> 2025 World Tournament: First Round 1 </div> </a> <a href="/events/Professional-Fighters-League-2025-World-Tournament-First-Round-2-106668"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Apr</div><div>11</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>Professional Fighters League</b> 2025 World Tournament: First Round 2 </div> </a> <a href="/events/Professional-Fighters-League-2025-World-Tournament-First-Round-3-106669"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Apr</div><div>18</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>Professional Fighters League</b> 2025 World Tournament: First Round 3 </div> </a> <a href="/events/Professional-Fighters-League-2025-World-Tournament-First-Round-4-106962"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>May</div><div>01</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>Professional Fighters League</b> 2025 World Tournament: First Round 4 </div> </a> <a href="/events/Professional-Fighters-League-2025-World-Tournament-Semifinals-1-106670"> <div class="calendar-date"> <div>Jun</div><div>12</div><div>2025</div> </div> <div class="event"> <b>Professional Fighters League</b> 2025 World Tournament: Semifinals 1 </div> </a> </div> <div class="js-more"> <a href="/organizations/Ultimate-Fighting-Championship-UFC-2" class="right-more event-tab-ufc" style="display: none;">+ <em>MORE UFC FIGHTS</em></a><a href="/organizations/Professional-Fighters-League-12241" class="right-more event-tab-pfl" style="display: none;">+ <em>MORE PFL FIGHTS</em></a> </div> </div>  <div class="right-module"> <div class="yellow-title"><h3>POLL</h3></div> <div id="poll-title">Will Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate his title result in more exciting matchups at 155 pounds?</div> <div id="poll-vote" style="display:none" data-num="820" data-qid="180" data-url="//admin.sherdog.com/polls/vote/" data-old="0"> <div data-aid="716"><span>Yes</span></div> <div data-aid="717"><span>No</span></div> <div data-aid="718"><span>Too early to tell</span></div> </div> <div id="poll-results" style="display:none"> <div class="poll_line" data-aid="716" data-cnt="518" style="background:linear-gradient(108deg, #ee5627 63%, transparent 63%, #454448 calc(63% + 4px));"><div>Yes</div><div>63%</div></div> <div class="poll_line" data-aid="717" data-cnt="150" style="background:linear-gradient(108deg, #ee5627 18%, transparent 18%, #454448 calc(18% + 4px));"><div>No</div><div>18%</div></div> <div class="poll_line" data-aid="718" data-cnt="152" style="background:linear-gradient(108deg, #ee5627 19%, transparent 19%, #454448 calc(19% + 4px));"><div>Too early to tell</div><div>19%</div></div> <div class="poll_total">TOTAL: 820 VOTES</div> </div> </div>   <div id='autocomplete_template' data-format='{firstname} { "nickname" }{lastname}' data-slaveinput='#sample' data-slaveformat='{id}' style='display:none'> <table cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0'><tr><td width='37' height='37'><img data-src="{image}" width='32'/></td><td>{firstname} { "nickname" }{lastname}</td></tr></table> </div> <div id='autocomplete_template_Fighter' data-format='{firstname} { "nickname" }{lastname}' data-slaveinput='#sample' data-slaveformat='{id}' style='display:none'> <table cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0'><tr><td width='37' height='37'><img data-src="{image}" width='32'/></td><td>{firstname} { "nickname" }{lastname}</td></tr></table> </div> <div id='autocomplete_template_Event' data-format='{name} - {title}' data-slaveinput='#sample' data-slaveformat='{id}' style='display:none'> <table cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0'><tr><td width='37' height='37'><img data-src="{image}" width='32'/></td><td>{name} - {title}</td></tr></table> </div>  <script language='javascript'> function autocomplete_select(data) { if ((data.url != null) && (data.url != "")) { document.location = data.url; } } </script> <div class="right-module"> <div class="yellow-title"><h3>FIGHT FINDER</h3></div> <form class="right-search" action="/stats/fightfinder" method="get"> <input data-groupfield="source" name="SearchTxt" data-autocorrect="false" data-offset="-105px 0" type="text" placeholder="SEARCH FIGHTERS, NICKNAMES, EVENTS" class="search autocomplete" data-source="/search/fightfinder/" data-template="#autocomplete_template" data-onselect="autocomplete_select" /> <input value="" type="submit" /> </form> <hr /> <h4>FIGHTER OF THE WEEK</h4> <a class="fow" href="/fighter/Magomed-Magomedov-79175"><img src="https://www4-cdn.sherdog.com/_images/pictures/20220625012044_C07_7031.JPG" style="object-position: center 15%"/><div>Magomed Magomedov</div></a> <style>a.fow img { width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 16/5; object-fit: cover; margin-top: -5px; } a.fow div { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 10px; color: white; margin-top: 3px; font-size: 20px; font-weight :bold; text-transform: uppercase; }</style> <hr /> <h4>TOP TRENDING FIGHTERS</h4> <hr /> <div class="right-fighters-content"> <a href="/fighter/Manel-Kape-101189"><img src="/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1648859047769_20220401082402_Manel_Kape_ff.JPG" /><div>Manel Kape</div></a><a href="/fighter/Leandro-Higo-65185"><img src="/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1440352583Leandro_Higo.jpg" /><div>Leandro Higo</div></a><a href="/fighter/Asu-Almabayev-219183"><img src="/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1680753043Asu_Almabaev.jpg" /><div>Asu Almabayev</div></a><a href="/fighter/Sarvarjon-Khamidov-233691"><img src="/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1713212220Sarvarjon_Khamidov.jpeg" /><div>Sarvarjon Khamidov</div></a> </div> <div class="right-more-fighters"> <h4>MORE FIGHTERS...</h4> <a href="/fighter/Julian-Marquez-77743">Julian Marquez</a> | <a href="/fighter/Jake-Hadley-200597">Jake Hadley</a> | <a href="/fighter/Cody-Brundage-281913">Cody Brundage</a> | <a href="/fighter/Ali-Taleb-218099">Ali Taleb</a> | <a href="/fighter/Mario-Pinto-310173">Mario Pinto</a> | <a href="/fighter/Ciaran-Clarke-151927">Ciaran Clarke</a> </div> <a href="/events" class="right-more">+ <em>FIND MORE</em></a> </div>      <div class="right-module"> <div id="ad300601" data-id="ad300601" class="gpt-ad"></div> </div>  <div class="right-module"><div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-widget module"> <div class="fb-like-box" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSherdog" data-width="295" data-show-faces="true" data-stream="false" data-colorscheme="dark" 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