Justin Wetzell: Unfinished business

Mike Pendleton Jun 23, 2026

Top notch featherweights headline PFL San Diego: Tune in Saturday, June 27 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Advertisement After coming up just short of his goal during the 2025 PFL Bantamweight tournament, Justin Wetzell is returning back to action looking to carve out a brand new path. Wetzell went from a short-notice call in last year’s tournament all the way to the final, where he came up on the wrong end of a decision against against Marcirley Alves.

Following a span in which he competed three times in five months, Wetzell took time to let his body recover fully and take away the lessons he’s learned from his tournament experience. Booked to make his return on June 27 against Sarvarjon Khamidov, Wetzell spoke about what he learned from the tournament, why he feels his upcoming opponent is the biggest test of his career, and his route back to fight for a belt.

When asked how he feels about the change in format for the PFL, Wetzell praised new CEO John Martin, and believes he can be back in the title picture in short order.

“I actually love it, man,” Wetzell said. “Some people have been approaching me and saying ‘Oh that sucks there’s no more tournament’ and I don’t see it that way. With my performances last year and with the opponent I’m fighting, I think a victory puts me right back in line to get that title and be a world champion. I think John Martin’s doing a great job, I’ve been watching all his interviews. I love that they’re doing a ranking system now, even though I’m not ranked. All the cards have been great this year and Martin is a great face for the company.”

Discussing his biggest lessons learned, Wetzell believes that proved himself worthy of where he’s at with the PFL and plans to capitalize on that.

“Man, the biggest thing for me was proving to myself that I belong. I kind of knew that already training with my training partners, but you don’t really know you actually compete, right? Being in the tournament really showed that to myself and I think it showed it to the world as well, and I’m going to continue that at PFL San Diego.”

Despite being unranked, Wetzell has kept all his focus on the fighters at the top of the rankings in his division, and believes that his next opponent will be the biggest test of his career.

“I think this is the toughest fight of my career. He beat Marcirley Alves in Bellator, beat him on the scorecards 30-27 in that fight. I’ve watched him a lot, he’s very good. This is kind of a mirror match style, almost. I got nothing bad to say about the guy. He’s a very talented fighter. I just got to go through him and beat him. I think he’s number 2 or 3 in the division, I thought he beat Magomed Magomedov, the fact that he’s No. 8 in the rankings is a little surprising to me.”

Looking towards his future, Wetzell said he would like to eventually get a rematch with Alves if the correct opportunity presented itself, but his goal is only on getting the PFL title on his waist.

“We do have unfinished business, but with that being said, my eye is on the belt. Alves and I had a legendary fight. He won the first three rounds, clearly and I won the last two rounds. I knocked him down in the fifth, I almost got him out of there but, props to him. Hey man, when $500,000 is on the line, you’ll stay awake when you get with a flying knee, right? That being said, we have unfinished business but my main priority is the best. I want to be a world champion for this company. I said it before in an interview with you last year, the PFL gave me the chance. I was the only fighter out of the whole tournament, out of almost all weight classes, the only fighter that had no major league experience. Every other fighter in that tournament was either in the UFC, already in the PFL, on “The Ultimate Fighter” or had a shot on Contender Series. Not for me. I was still in the minor leagues. I was the only minor league fighter to come up and PFL gave me that opportunity, and I’m forever grateful for that. I want to represent the company and I want to be a world champion for this company.”

Wetzell will not have to put himself through the rigorous strain of the PFL tournament, and his goal remains the same despite a change in the format. It’ll all begin with who he believes is the toughest opponent of his career, which could see him catapult into contention with a win over Khamidov in San Diego. « Previous PFL San Diego preview | The Sheehan Show Next PFL San Diego’s Abraham Bably on light heavyweight move, Rob Wilkinson matchup » More

Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.

The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.

But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.

'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.

'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'

The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.

Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts

But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.

'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.

Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.

'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.

'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.

'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.

'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'

'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.

'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming

Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.

The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.

Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.

They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.

Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.

Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad

The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year

Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'

Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'

But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.

Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.

He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.

Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.

Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.

Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.

It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.

An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.

An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million

In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.

In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'

After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.

The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'

Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.

'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'

Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.

Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.

Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'

Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.

And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.

A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.

'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.

'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.

It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.

Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'

Justin Wetzell: Unfinished business

Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming

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