MMA News

John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor
Dustin Poirier

Coach Kavanagh believes Conor McGregor was “well on track to getting a finish” at UFC 264

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

Coach John Kavanagh believes that Conor McGregor was “well on track to getting a finish” at UFC 264 in his trilogy against Dustin Poirier. McGregor suffered a broken leg at the end of the first round of the Poirier fight, which led to the fight being waved off due to TKO (doctor stoppage). Although McGregor was doing well at the beginning of the fight when it was contested on the feet, as soon as Poirier was able to get the fight to the ground it appeared as though “The Diamond” had the upper hand. Though the end of the fight was ultimately quite disappointing in that it ended with an injury and not a clean knockout, Poirier was still dominating the fight according to the judges, two of who scored the first round 10-8 in favor of Poirier before it was stopped.

Nick Diaz, CM Punk
UFC

Nick Diaz set to train with Cesar Gracie ahead of targeted return fight against Robbie Lawler

Cole Shelton - July 12, 2021

Nick Diaz is targeted to make his return to the sport at UFC 266 against Robbie Lawler. Diaz, who has been out of the sport since 2015, has been rumored to fight again for years. It was reported he was set to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235, but Diaz denied that and the fight fizzled out. Now, however, Dana White announced he’s targeting Diaz vs. Lawler 2 as the co-main event of UFC 266 in a very intriguing matchup.

Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley
Conor McGregor

Colby Covington reacts to "dirtbag" Dustin Poirier's win over Conor McGregor at UFC 264: "Obviously, it was a fluke"

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

UFC welterweight Colby Covington said that “dirtbag” Dustin Poirier’s win over Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 264 was “a fluke.” Poirier won the trilogy with McGregor on Saturday night at UFC 264 when he got his hand raised via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) after the Irishman broke his leg near the end of the first round. While it was a strange ending to the fight, it appeared as though Poirier was in control of the match up until the stoppage, and two of the three judges gave him a 10-8 scorecard in the first round. But while Poirier may have been on his way to a win before the injury, the fact the fight ended that way makes some, such as Covington, believe that the end of the fight was more of a fluke than any sort of legitimate win.

Israel-Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Watch Israel Adesanya react to Conor McGregor breaking his leg at UFC 264

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

In a new video posted to his YouTube channel, watch Israel Adesanya react to Conor McGregor breaking his leg in the main event of UFC 264. Like everyone else who loves MMA, Adesanya was watching the UFC 264 pay-per-view card with a group of his friends and was glued to the action for the main event between McGregor and Poirier. The fight started off strong for the Irishman as he was able to land some hard kicks on Poirier, but as soon as McGregor went to his back on the ground, it seemed like the tide turned in the fight. Ultimately, Poirier won the fight via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) when McGregor was not able to continue due to his injury.

Charles Oliveira
UFC

Photo | The UFC misspelled Charles Oliveira on new lightweight title belt

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

The UFC misspelled Charles Oliveira on his new lightweight title belt in a major gaffe that is making the rounds on social media. Oliveira knocked out Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262 back in May to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Oliveira was given a brand new belt following his title fight victory, but unfortunately for “Do Bronx,” his last name was not spelled right on it.

Bjorn-Rebney
Bjorn Rebney

Photo | A tweet from former Bellator boss Bjorn Rebney managed to make the UFC 264 broadcast

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

A tweet that has become some sort of meme in the MMA community from former Bellator boss Bjorn Rebney managed to make the UFC 264 broadcast. In June 2014, Rebney tweeted out the word “Mexico!!” and to this day, fans still occasionally retweet him when a Mexican MMA fighter does something amazing. Last month at UFC 263, Brandon Moreno defeated former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo to take home the belt, which led to a number of fans retweeting the old Rebney comment. But no one could have predicted that this old tweet would make a UFC show.

Kris-Moutinho-Daniel-Cormier
UFC

Kris Moutinho congratulated by Daniel Cormier following UFC 264: “You’re the most savage SOB I’ve ever met”

Adam D Martin - July 12, 2021

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier congratulated Kris Moutinho following UFC 264, telling him that “you’re the most savage SOB I’ve ever met.” Cormier was part of the commentary team that called Moutinho’s fight on Saturday night at UFC 264 against top bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley. Despite Moutinho taking the fight on extremely short notice, he put on a memorable show for the fans as he was able to continue walking forward and eating shots like a zombie as O’Malley lit him up with combinations. Although O’Malley landed 230 significant strikes in the fight — the second-most all-time in a three-round UFC fight behind Nate Diaz — the story of the fight was arguably Moutinho’s heart as he was able to absorb so much punishment and keep ticking.

Conor McGregor, UFC 264, Joe Rogan
Dustin Poirier

New footage shows Conor McGregor threatening to kill Dustin and Jolie Poirier “in their sleep” while making a gun sign

Christopher Taylor - July 11, 2021

New video footage has surfaced showing Conor McGregor threatening to kill Dustin and Jolie Poirier following his TKO loss (leg injury) at UFC 264. McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Poirier (28-6 MMA) squared off for a third time last night in Las Vegas, this after splitting their first two encounters.

Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, UFC 264.
Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey applauds Conor McGregor for post-fight antics at UFC 264, 'Notorious' responds

Chris Taylor - July 11, 2021

Former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey applauded Conor McGregor for his post-fight antics following his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Poirier (28-6 MMA) collided for a third time yesterday evening in Las Vegas, this after splitting their first two encounters.

Conor McGregor
UFC

Conor McGregor has successful surgery to repair broken leg following UFC 264, on crutches for six weeks

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC superstar Conor McGregor underwent successful surgery to repair his broken leg following UFC 264 and he’ll be on crutches for six weeks. McGregor lost his trilogy fight against his rival Dustin Poirier on Saturday night at UFC 264 when he appeared to break his ankle and was unable to continue. We now know that it was actually a broken leg that the Irishman had suffered in the fight and McGregor took to his Twitter late Sunday night to let fans know that his surgery went well on his injured limb.

Poirier vs. McGregor 3, Conor McGregor
UFC

Conor McGregor had ankle injury during training camp for UFC 264, confirms coach

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC superstar Conor McGregor injured his ankle during his training camp for his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, says his coach. Coach John Kavanagh spoke to UFC reporter Laura Sanko on Sunday, the day after McGregor lost via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) to Poirier in the main event of UFC 264. According to McGregor’s longtime coach, the Irishman suffered an ankle injury during his training camp and even recently had a scan on it, but ultimately he was cleared to fight.

Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor
Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier accepts Jake Paul's offer for "Sleepy Conor McGregor" necklace: "Send it over"

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier accepted Jake Paul’s offer for his “Sleepy Conor McGregor” necklace, telling him to “send it over.” Paul had a $100,000 necklace custom-made for him with a little figurine of McGregor taking a nap after Poirier knocked him out back at UFC 257. Following the fight, which saw Poirier finish McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage), Paul said that he would be willing to give Poirier his necklace, saying that he feels “The Diamond” has earned it. In reply to Paul, Poirier took to his social media and accepted Paul’s generous offer for it.

Gilbert Burns
Stephen Thompson

Gilbert Burns issues statement following decision win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC welterweight title contender Gilbert Burns issued a statement following his unanimous decision win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264. Burns entered the fight against Thompson as the slight underdog, but he picked up the upset victory as he was able to take down and control Thompson on the ground to win a unanimous decision on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Following a TKO loss to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman earlier this year at UFC 258, Burns needed to bounce back with a win over Thompson to keep his No. 2 ranking and he did just that.

Stephen-Thompson
Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson issues statement following UFC 264 loss to Gilbert Burns

Adam D Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson issued a statement following his unanimous decision loss at UFC 264 to Gilbert Burns. Thompson was expected to be in contention to get a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman with a win over Burns at UFC 264, but the fight did not go his way at all. Despite Thompson having statistically some of the best takedown defense in the UFC welterweight division, Burns was still able to get him down to the ground in all three rounds and control him as he was able to pull off a small upset with a decision victory.

Max-Griffin-Carlos-Condit
Max Griffin

Max Griffin and Carlos Condit trade autographed jerseys following UFC 264

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC welterweights Max Griffin and Carlos Condit traded autographed jerseys following their fight at Saturday night’s UFC 264 pay-per-view. Griffin won a unanimous decision over Condit in a great welterweight fight that served as the main event of the UFC 264 preliminary card. Griffin won the first round with his striking, then Condit took back the second with his own standup, and then “Pain” won the third by outstriking Condit and then taking him down in the final minute of the fight to seal the deal. It was an outstanding effort by both fighters, who have lots of mutual respect.

Dana White, Nate Diaz
UFC

Dana White tells UFC fighters not to expect $75,000 bonuses on the regular: "Seriously f*ck up our budget"

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC president Dana White told the UFC fighters not to expect $75,000 bonuses on the regular, saying it would “seriously f*ck up our budget.” White and the UFC increased the bonuses from $50,000 to $75,000 for UFC 264 and with the athletes having even more motivation, fans were rewarded with some amazing performances. At the end of the night, the promotion gave $75,000 each to bantamweight Sean O’Malley and Kris Moutimnho for “Fight of the Night,” and $75,000 to heavyweight Tai Tuivasa and also to middleweight Dricus Du Plessis for “Performance of the Night.”

Thiago-Santos-Yana-Kunitskaya
UFC

Thiago Santos reacts after fiancée Yana Kunitskaya gets knocked out at UFC 264

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos reacted after his fiancée Yana Kunitskaya got knocked out by Irene Aldana at UFC 264. Santos and Kunitskaya have been dating for several years and have been engaged since last Christmas. They both train together at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, and both are top-10 ranked fighters in the UFC. On Saturday night at UFC 264, Santos was in Kunitskaya’s corner as he always is when she suffered a tough first-round knockout loss to Aldana. Although Kunitskaya closed as the slight favorite to win the fight, she got caught with a giant left hook in the first round and then got stopped with ground and pound. It was a tough loss for “Foxy” and it must not have been easy for Santos to watch it go down.

Sean O'Malley, UFC 252
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley vs. Frankie Edgar matchup at Madison Square Garden pitched by manager

Adam Martin - July 11, 2021

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz pitched a future bantamweight bout between Sean O’Malley and Frankie Edgar for an event at Madison Square Garden. O’Malley defeated Kris Moutinho via third-round TKO in the opening main card fight on the UFC 264 pay-per-view card. It was another impressive showing by “Suga,” who is now 6-1 overall in the UFC with four wins by knockout. O’Malley is one of the UFC’s brightest young stars and the promotion has booked him exclusively for pay-per-view events over his last six outings. Following a fantastic win over Moutinho at UFC 264, it stands to figure that O’Malley will fight on a pay-per-view card his next time out, and one PPV card that the UFC plans on holding is an event at Madison Square Garden in New York in November.