MMA News

Michael Chiesa
UFC

Michael Chiesa still hoping for Colby Covington fight, also up for matchup with "Wonderboy"

Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021

Surging UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa is still hoping to fight Colby Covington next, but he’d also be up for a fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Chiesa last fought at UFC Fight Island 8 in January, when he picked up an impressive decision victory over Neil Magny. After that fight, he set his sights on Colby Covington, a dedicated Donald Trump supporter, with a politicized callout.

Ben Askren, Jake Paul
UFC

Video | Ben Askren lets his hands go on Jake Paul punching bag

Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021

Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren is already breaking in his customized Jake Paul-inspired punching bag. Earlier this week, Askren unveiled a custom-made punching bag adorned with Paul’s mug, which will no doubt help him prepare for his April 17 boxing match with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

Darren Till, Uriah Hall, Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Darren Till refutes Uriah Hall's claim about Israel Adesanya's competition: "He's fought all killers"

Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021

Darren Till has gone to bat for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after a recent criticism from his fellow contender Uriah Hall. Hall, the UFC’s No. 8-ranked middleweight, recently expressed his belief that Adesanya has been competing against subpar opposition of his own volition.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez, conor mcgregor
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov should "hold out for GSP or retire," says coach

Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021

Javier Mendez says Khabib Nurmagomedov should hold out for a blockbuster fighter with Georges St-Pierre or retire from mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, announced his retirement from competition after choking out Justin Gaethje in October. Despite his retirement announcement, he still hasn’t vacated the lightweight throne, as UFC President Dana White has been attempting to convince him to fight one last time.

Mike Perry girlfriend, Jon Jones
UFC

Mike Perry issues apology for his previous use of the N-word

Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021

UFC star Mike Perry has issued an apology for ever using the N-word, indicating that he will never do so again. It’s safe to say that Perry is probably one of the most polarizing figures in all of mixed martial arts, and as we look ahead to the future, it doesn’t really feel like that trend is going to change anytime soon.

Neil Magny
Neil Magny

Neil Magny vows to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight following recent troll job

Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021

UFC welterweight Neil Magny has vowed to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight in the wake of the latter’s trolling on social media. At one point a few months back it seemed like Magny and Chimaev could end up facing off against each other, but in the end, that didn’t come to fruition and Magny was instead booked to fight Michael Chiesa on Fight Island.

Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje shares interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won't fight Michael Chandler

Christopher Taylor - February 1, 2021

Justin Gaethje has shared an interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won’t fight fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. The former interim UFC lightweight champion, Gaethje (22-3 MMA), believes ‘The Diamond’ is taking a stance against Dana White in order to bring integrity back to the sport.

Michael-Chandler-and-Ben-Askren
Jake Paul

Michael Chandler: 'Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round'

Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021

Michael Chandler will be aiding his fellow former Bellator champion Ben Askren in preparation for his Jake Paul boxing match — and the new UFC lightweight title contender is confident in how the contest will play out. “I’m telling you, Ben Askren’s gonna beat Jake Paul,” Chandler told ESPN. “Listen, you can say Ben Askren’s boxing isn’t that good, and it’s not, I will agree with you on that. But when it comes to dirty boxing, under hooks, pushing, pulling, grabbing heads. I mean, you’re gonna be in there for eight rounds straight, 16-24 minutes plus a minute in between, Jake Paul will get worn down, Ben Askren won’t. Depending on the ruleset, depending on the referee, depending on how quickly they’re going to break ’em up, Ben is gonna wear on ’em, close the distance, then it’s gonna be really hard to punch Ben Askren when he’s up in your face, pulling on you, punching you to the body, punching you to the head. Albeit, they may be pitter-patter… Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round.”

Georges St-Pierre
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Georges St-Pierre 'might be getting ready for' Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, says Kenny Florian

Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021

Khabib Nurmagomedov has made it abundantly clear who the perfect man to get him to 30-0 would be, and that’s none other than Georges St-Pierre. On a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast hosted by UFC commentator Jon Anik and retired UFC title challenger Kenny Florian, “KenFlo” shared some interesting insight.

Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal, Joe Rogan
Kamaru Usman

Jorge Masvidal issues scathing response after Kamaru Usman suggests he wants to run things back after fighting with a broken nose

Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021

Jorge Masvidal has responded to Kamaru Usman after he said he would like to run things back. At UFC 251, Masvidal stepped up on a weeks’ notice to battle Usman for the welterweight title. “Gamebred” didn’t have a training camp and in the first round had some success. However, Usman used his wrestling and clinch to win the last four rounds and defend his title.

Justin-Gaethje-Ali-Abdelaziz
Justin Gaethje

Ali Abdelaziz confirms Justin Gaethje open to fighting Michael Chandler

Adam Martin - February 1, 2021

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Michael Chandler for his next fight inside the Octagon. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov set to retire any day now and vacate his belt in the process, the race for the next lightweight title fight has become fierce. Dustin Poirier seems to be the heir to the throne following his knockout win over Conor McGregor, but he said this week that right now he is willing to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. That means fighters like Gaethje, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira are all in the mix for the next vacant lightweight title fight.

Mike Perry
UFC

Mike Perry uses MMA math to explain why he is the GOAT

Adam Martin - February 1, 2021

UFC welterweight Mike Perry explained why is the current GOAT in a comical new video he posted where he uses MMA math to prove his point. Perry, the UFC welterweight fan favorite-turned-new dad, took to his Instagram to post a humorous clip of himself crunching numbers to show why he is superior to both UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and superstar Conor McGregor. Watch below as Perry explains why he is the UFC’s current GOAT.

Michael Chandler, UFC, Black History Month
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler wants Justin Gaethje next to prove who's the most violent fighter in the UFC

Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021

Michael Chandler is hoping to prove he’s the most violent fighter in the UFC and to do that he knows he needs to face Justin Gaethje. When Gaethje and Alvarez fought at UFC 218, many fans said the fight would determine who is the most violent fighter in the UFC. Alvarez ended up winning the fight by TKO, but after he left the promotion, and Gaethje went on a KO streak and many considered him the most violent man in the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Dustin Poirier, Dana White
Nate Diaz

Dustin Poirier knows Nate Diaz fight doesn't make sense but wants it to happen: "Those are the kind of fights I want to be part of"

Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021

Dustin Poirier is interested in fighting Nate Diaz. After Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Diaz chimed in on Twitter calling for him to face Poirier. They were supposed to fight at UFC 230, and although it doesn’t make sense from a rankings perspective, “The Diamond” admits those are the kind of fights he is interested in.

Abu Azaitar, Vitor Miranda, UFC Hamburg
UFC

Abu Azaitar suspended for seven months by USADA

Adam Martin - February 1, 2021

UFC middleweight Abu Azaitar was suspended for seven months by USADA after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. USADA announced the suspension on Monday. According to the drug-test organization, Azaitar failed four separate drug tests due to the banned substance tamoxifen. However, because he was forthcoming about the banned substances in his system and was able to prove that a doctor had prescribed the substance, USADA worked with him to lessen the sanction. In the end, USADA decided on a seven-month sanction, dating back to the date of the first positive test in August 2020. Therefore, Azaitar will be able to return to the Octagon in March.

Jessica-Penne
UFC

Jessica Penne returns from four-year lay-off at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy

Adam Martin - February 1, 2021

Former UFC women’s strawweight title contender Jessica Penne is set to return to the Octagon this March at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy. Penne has not fought since April 2017, when she lost a unanimous decision to Danielle Taylor at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. Since then, Penne has dealt with various USADA-related issues that have led to her being on the shelf that whole time. She is now ready to resume her career at age 38 and after four years away from the sport. The UFC matchmakers have booked Penne to take on Goldy at UFC 260, likely set to take place on March 27 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dan Hooker
UFC

Dan Hooker opens up on Chandler loss, reveals why he removed gloves in the cage

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has opened up on his loss to Michael Chandler, and revealed why he removed his gloves in the Octagon post-fight. Hooker met Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 257 last month. The bout was Chandler’s first in the UFC after a prolonged stint in Bellator, and Hooker was viewed as a tough welcome committee.

Ben Askren, Jake Paul
Jake Paul

Ben Askren unveils customized Jake Paul punching bag

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

Ben Askren will have no trouble visualizing Jake Paul as he prepares for their anticipated professional boxing match. Askren, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder and a former contender in the UFC, is slated to meet Paul in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. Ahead of the fight, he’s received a customized punching bag adorned with an image of Paul’s face.