MMA News
UFC fighter Luis Pena accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
UFC lightweight fighter Luis Pena has been accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11 during a domestic violence incident. According to MMAFighting.com, Pena is accused of the domestic violence incident that allegedly took place on June 14. Police documents revealed that Pena’s girlfriend of one year called the police and said that “Violent Bob Ross” had gotten angry after accusing her of looking at other men’s photos on Instagram and decided to destroy her iPhone 11. According to the woman, whose name has not been made public, Pena also left her face with marks and bruises. She reportedly also had a lump on the top of her head as well.
Ike Villanueva expects to KO Marcin Prachnio at UFC Vegas 30: "If I touch that chin it will be a short night"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Ike Villanueva is glad to be fighting back at the UFC Apex as he’s looking for some redemption in Las Vegas. The last time Villanueva fought in Vegas was when he suffered a TKO loss to Jordan Wright which was stopped by cut. Now, he’ll return on Saturday at UFC Vegas 30 against Marcin Prachnio where Villanueva likes the style matchup.
Chris Weidman admits that leg amputation still a possibility
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman admitted that having a leg amputation is still a possibility as he recovers from his injury. Weidman broke his leg in a devastating fashion when he threw a low kick that Uriah Hall checked in their middleweight bout at UFC 261, an injury that left “The All-American” writhing in pain on the Octagon canvas. It was one of the worst injuries we have ever seen in the UFC, but Weidman has been making an incredibly fast recovery since then as he’s already gotten back into the gym to do some sparring and even went golfing.
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou: “I know how to stay in my lane”
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou, saying “I know how to stay in my lane.” Saint Preux returns to the Octagon on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 30 when he takes on Tanner Boser in a short-notice heavyweight bout. Saint Preux was originally set to take on Maxim Grishin on this card at light heavyweight, but after Grishin pulled out of the fight with an injury, the UFC asked him to move up to heavyweight to take on Boser and stay on the card. Although Saint Preux only has one heavyweight bout in the UFC to his name, a split decision defeat to Ben Rothwell last year, he had no problem saying yes to the opportunity to move up and fight Boser in order to keep a fight booked.
Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises promoted to UFC Vegas 31 main event after Holloway-Rodriguez scratched
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Islam Makhachev will get the chance to headline his first UFC card. According to John Morgan of MMAJunkie, Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises has been promoted to the main event of UFC Vegas 31 on July 17. The original main event saw Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez, yet Holloway was forced out of the fight due to an injury. Damon Martin of MMAFighting later reported that Giga Chikadze was offered and agreed to headline the card against Rodriguez but the fight was not made leaving Makhachev vs. Moises to be the main event.
Alexander Volkov believes Ciryl Gane fight will be "one of the best this year" as long as the Frenchman doesn't wrestle him
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Alexander Volkov hopes Ciryl Gane doesn’t try to wrestle him over and over again in the main event of UFC Vegas 30 on Saturday. Volkov enters the main event after back-to-back TKO wins over Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. Prior to that, he suffered a decision loss to Curtis Blaydes in a fight he was taken down over and over again.
Julio Cesar Chavez says his son didn't prepare for Anderson Silva, calls for him to retire
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Julio Cesar Chavez doesn’t believe his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. prepared properly to fight Anderson Silva and now wants him to retire. On Saturday night, Chavez Sr. had an exhibition bout in his return to the ring while his two sons were also on the card. Unfortunately, Chavez Jr. lost a split decision to Anderson Silva while Omar Chavez lost a decision to Ramon Alvarez. It was a disappointing result for the family, and the legendary boxer believes it’s due to the fact his sons don’t prepare properly.
Gilbert Burns sends violent warning to Leon Edwards: "When my hands touch you, you going to wake up at ICU"
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Gilbert Burns has taken a shot at Leon Edwards over his recent performance against Nate Diaz. Although Edwards dominated 24 minutes of the fight at UFC 263, what many will remember is the final minute where Diaz rocked the Brit. He had Edwards on wobbly legs but Diaz didn’t capitalize and lost a clear-cut decision.
Tim Johnson passed up waiting for Ryan Bader for interim title fight, expects a decision win over Valentin Moldavsky
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Tim Johnson could’ve waited for a title shot against Ryan Bader. After Johnson earned a split decision win over Cheick Kongo last October he cemented himself as the number one contender at heavyweight. The plan was for the UFC veteran to face Ryan Bader in the first quarter of 2021 for the heavyweight title. Yet, Bader went into the light heavyweight grand prix and instead of waiting, Johnson will face Valentin Moldavsky in the main event of Bellator 261 for the interim heavyweight title.
Renato Moicano plans to prove he belongs among lightweight best with win over Jai Herbert
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Renato Moicano was hoping to get some ranked opponents when he moved up to lightweight, but that hasn’t happened. The Brazilian was a top-10 featherweight but when he moved up he fought Damir Hadzovic and won by submission. In his next fight, he suffered a TKO loss to Rafael Fiziev. He will now face Jai Herbert at UFC Vegas 30.
Khaos Williams eyes fall return but won't give "anyone extra clout" by calling them out: "I'll let my hands do the talking"
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Khaos Williams was happy he got back into the win column on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 29. Williams broke onto the UFC scene with two sub-30 second KOs over Alex Morono and Abdul Razak Alhassan. In his third fight, he suffered a close decision loss to Michel Pereira, but on Saturday he earned a hard-fought decision win over Matt Semelsberger which Williams was happy about.
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis 2 reportedly delayed until at least September
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
The rematch between UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and rival Derrick Lewis has reportedly delayed until at least September. The UFC has been planning on having Ngannou and Lewis headline UFC 265, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on August 7 in Houston, Texas. However, it appears as though the promotion has run into a scheduling conflict and the fight between Ngannou and Lewis has now been delayed. According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, Ngannou vs. Lewis is a “long shot” to take place at UFC 265, and instead, September seems more likely.
Colby Covington slams welterweight “joke” Stephen Thompson: “He should probably just retire”
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington slammed divisional rival Stephen Thompson, calling him a “joke” and saying “he should probably just retire.” Covington is set to face UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a rematch later this year for the 170lbs gold, but Thompson is hopeful that he will jump past Covington in the title queue with a win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 next month. As the highest-ranked fighter who hasn’t fought Usman yet, Thompson believes that a big win over Burns could help him jump past Covington and Leon Edwards when it comes to the title shot order.
Nate Diaz unloads on “amateur” Gilbert Burns following his criticism of Leon Edwards' performance at UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz unloaded on “amateur” Gilbert Burns following his criticism of Leon Edwards’ performance at UFC 263. Edwards won a unanimous decision over Diaz at UFC 263 earlier this month. After winning the first four rounds of the fight, Diaz rocked Edwards in the fifth round with a Stockton slap followed by a straight left, and that’s the moment of the fight that most fans seem to remember about the match. Instead of Edwards going 10 straight fights without losing and earning a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, many fans were disappointed that Edwards wasn’t able to go out there and put the finishing touches on Diaz, and there are some people who think that Edwards’ stock actually went down.
Randy Couture surprised Jake Paul leading charge on fighter pay reform in MMA, thinks Conor McGregor should have done more
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
Randy Couture says he is surprised Jake Paul is leading the charge on fighter pay reform in MMA, and he thinks Conor McGregor should have done more. Paul has been banging on the drum to get UFC fighters (and MMA fighters in general) paid more money, especially as he continues to roll in huge paydays in boxing. During a recent press conference, Paul went on an expletive-filled rant and said that UFC president Dana White should be paying his fighters more money, and saying “f*ck Dana White.”
Demian Maia praises Matt Brown following recent rematch callout: "The respect is mutual"
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
UFC welterweight veteran Demian Maia praised Matt Brown following his recent callout for a rematch, suggesting that “the respect is mutual.” The 43-year-old Maia recently lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 and following the fight, UFC president Dana White hinted that could be the last time we see the legendary Brazilian inside the Octagon as Maia is one of the oldest fighters in the UFC and is on a two-fight losing skid. However, Maia has said that he wants to fight one more time before he hangs up his gloves for good, and he called out Nate Diaz for his final fight.
Nate Diaz responds after Stephen Thompson suggests he should drop back down to lightweight
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2021
Nate Diaz has issued his response following a suggestion from Stephen Thompson that he should go back down to lightweight. It’s well known that “Wonderboy” is one of the nicest guys in mixed martial arts but beneath that exterior, he’s also one of the most dangerous welterweights on the planet – and he’s been proving that for years now.
Leon Edwards calls Belal Muhammad a “clown” for his rematch request, ‘Remember the Name’ returns fire with multiple insults
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2021
Belal Muhammad hasn’t taken kindly to being called a “clown” by Leon Edwards after Muhammad asked for a rematch. The two men squared off earlier this year with an unfortunate eye poke bringing proceedings to an early end. Ever since then, Edwards has been able to get in the win column against Nate Diaz with Muhammad also picking up a win against Demian Maia.