MMA News
Leonardo Santos issues statement following nasty KO loss to Grant Dawson
Adam Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC lightweight Leonardo Santos has released a statement following his brutal ground-and-pound KO loss to Grant Dawson at UFC Vegas 22. Santos and Dawson were engaged in a razor-close fight that was seconds away from heading to the judges’ scorecards. Though the judges would have scored the fight for Dawson, no one could have known that at the time, as some believed Santos had done enough to win the first two rounds and Dawson needed a big comeback. He did just that and more when he landed a brutal hammer fist KO with ground and pound with just one second left in the third round, eliminating the need to bring the judges into the equation.
Khabib Nurmagomedov confirms he retired because of his love for his mother
Adam Martin - March 21, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed that he retired from MMA because of his love and respect for his mother. Nurmagomedov officially announced this week that he was retiring from MMA at the height of his career. At 29-0 and at age 32, Nurmagomedov is very much in his prime and was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world before he made the announcement official and he hung up his gloves. For many fans, the decision to walk away is a surprising one considering he’s still one of the best fighters in the sport and there is plenty of money to be made. But for Nurmagomedov, family trumps all, and that’s why he retired from MMA.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to be MMA coach of the year, says Luke Rockhold: "He wants to be the next great thing"
Adam Martin - March 21, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to be the MMA coach of the year, says his longtime teammate Luke Rockhold. Nurmagomedov announced his official retirement from the UFC this week, finishing his MMA career with a perfect 29-0 record. While a return down the road can’t be ruled out, at least for the time being we have seen the last of “The Eagle” inside the Octagon. But just because he doesn’t plan on competing anymore doesn’t mean he won’t stick around the game. Instead of fighting, Nurmagomedov plans on putting his focus on coaching instead.
Derek Brunson explains why he called out Paulo Costa following win over Kevin Holland
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson explained why he called out Paulo Costa following his win over Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 22. Brunson won a unanimous decision over Holland in Saturday’s headliner. The 37-year-old veteran was able to take Holland down at will and control him on the mat for a dominant victory. Following the win, which was Brunson’s fourth straight victory at 185lbs, he called out the top contender Costa for a future fight. Costa was recently removed from a matchup against Robert Whittaker on April 17 and replaced by Kelvin Gastelum after the Brazilian pulled out due to illness. Once he feels better, Brunson is hoping the UFC books the fight.
Israel Adesanya responds after Jon Jones accuses him of “acting like a girl” and “playing the victim”
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya responded after Jon Jones recently accused him of “acting like a girl” and “playing the victim.” There is no love lost between Adesanya and Jones, two of MMA’s biggest stars. After Adesanya failed in his bid to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259, Jones has been extremely critical towards the middleweight champion, criticizing him for his inability to stuff the takedown and do damage off his back. Adesanya, in turn, has continued to take shots at Jones. Although a fight between these two seems to be a longshot now that Adesanya has lost to Blachowicz, that isn’t stopping both fighters from taking to their social media and continuing to chirp at each other.
Kevin Holland considering move down to 170lbs following loss to Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 22
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC middleweight Kevin Holland says he is considering a move down to 170lbs following his loss to Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 22. Holland was taken down at will for nearly the entire 25 minutes by Brunson on his way to a unanimous decision loss. Though it seemed that Holland didn’t take the fight seriously, you also have to give a ton of credit to Brunson for sticking to his gameplan. He was able to expose Holland’s poor takedown defense as he continually took him down at will and beat him with his grinding wrestling style. It was the kind of lopsided win for Brunson that now has Holland contemplating a chance of weight classes considering how he was held down.
Conor McGregor continues to take jabs at recently retired rival Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor continued to take jabs at recently-retired rival Khabib Nurmagomedov with some more trash-talk on social media. McGregor and Nurmagomedov were bitter rivals for years, and the hope was the two would one day have their big-money rematch inside the Octagon. However, after McGregor got knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, it essentially eliminated any thoughts of the rematch. Nurmagomedov officially retired from MMA this week, and of course, McGregor was there to take a shot at him, telling the Russian he’s the one who made him in MMA. On Sunday, McGregor continued to take shots at Nurmagoedov, this time for his lack of power.
Michael Bisping responds after Uriah Hall calls him a “dick” for suggesting he was knocked out by Derek Brunson
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC analyst Michael Bisping responded after Uriah Hall called him a “dick” for suggesting that he was knocked out by Derek Brunson. Bisping was in the commentary booth during the UFC Vegas 22 main event fight between Brunson and Kevin Holland. At one point during the fight, Bisping mentioned the fact that Brunson has a knockout win over Uriah Hall on his resume, from UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson in September 2016. However, Hall wasn’t too happy that Bisping pointed it out, and instead, he called Bisping a “dick” for suggesting that Burnson had finished him.
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov discusses what’s next after confirming his retirement from fighting
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov discussed what’s next for him after officially confirming his retirement from fighting this week. After submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October, Nurmagomedov said that he planned on hanging up his gloves and step away from MMA. For the past six months, UFC president Dana White has tried to convince “The Eagle” to fly again, but Nurmagomedov ultimately decided that he doesn’t want to continue fighting, and he decided to walk away. The Russian officially retired and vacated the UFC lightweight belt this week, which resulted in Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler being booked for the vacant belt at UFC 262.
Tony Ferguson says he accepts the "verbal tap" from Khabib Nurmagomedov: "29-1 it is"
Christopher Taylor - March 21, 2021
Tony Ferguson is clearly not ready to let go of his long standing rivalry with recently retired UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Eagle’ recently made his retirement from fighting official, this after Dana White and the UFC finally threw in the towel following multiple failed attempts to persuade Khabib into making a comeback.
Dana White reacts to Kevin Holland’s performance at UFC Vegas 22
Christopher Taylor - March 21, 2021
Dana White and company were promoting the in-fight trash talking of Kevin Holland prior to tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 main event. Holland (21-6 MMA) had entered tonight’s UFC headliner with veteran Derek Brunson on a five-fight win streak, his latest being a spectacular knockout victory over former Strikeforce champion Jacare Souza.
Kevin Holland reacts following loss to Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 22
Chris Taylor - March 20, 2021
Kevin Holland has reacted following his unanimous decision loss to Derek Brunson in tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 event headliner. Holland (21-6 MMA) had entered tonight’s main event looking to extend his win streak to six in a row. ‘Trail Blazer’ had gone 5-0 under the UFC banner during the 2020 calendar year, with his most recent victory coming by of knockout over former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza.
Brian Ortega issues statement after losing out on UFC 260 title fight with Alex Volkanovski
Christopher Taylor - March 20, 2021
Brian Ortega has issued a statement after losing out on his proposed UFC 260 featherweight title fight with Alex Volkanovski. Earlier tonight news broke that next weekend’s slated co-headliner between Ortega and Volkanovski had been cancelled, this due to safety protocols against the global pandemic.
Israel Adesanya reacts to Derek Brunson defeating Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 22
Christopher Taylor - March 20, 2021
Israel Adesanya was clearly watching tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 main event between perennial middleweight contenders Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson. Brunson (22-7 MMA) had entered tonight’s event headliner on a three-fight win streak, his latest being a TKO victory over Edmen Shahbazyan in August. Prior to that finish, the middleweight veteran was coming off back-to-back decision victories over Ian Heinisch and Elias Theodorou.
Pros react after Derek Brunson defeats Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 21
Chris Taylor - March 20, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 event was headlined by a key middleweight bout between perennial division contenders Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson. Brunson (22-7 MMA) entered tonight’s event headliner on a three-fight win streak, his latest being a TKO victory over Edmen Shahbazyan in August. Prior to that, the middleweight veteran was coming off back-to-back decision victories over Ian Heinisch and Elias Theodorou.
UFC Vegas 22 Result: Derek Brunson defeats Kevin Holland (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - March 20, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 event is headlined by a key middleweight bout between perennial division contenders Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson. Brunson (21-7 MMA) will enter tonight’s event headliner on a three-fight win streak, his latest being a TKO victory over Edmen Shahbazyan in August. Prior to that, the middleweight veteran was coming off back-to-back decision victories over Ian Heinisch and Elias Theodorou.
UFC Vegas 22 Result: Max Griffin KO's Song Kenan in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - March 20, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 22 is co-headlined by a welterweight contest between fan favorites Song Kenan and Max Griffin. Kenan (16-5 MMA) is currently riding a two-fight winning streak, this after earning wins over Derrick Krantz and Callan Potter in his most recent Octagon appearances.
Alex Volkanovski issues statement after being forced out of UFC 260 fight with Brian Ortega
Chris Taylor - March 20, 2021
Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has issued a statement after being forced out of his scheduled title fight with Brian Ortega at UFC 260. Volkanovski was set to try and defend his UFC featherweight championship for a second time against Brian Ortega in next weekend’s pay-per-view co-headliner.