MMA News
Dustin Poirier suggests Charles Oliveira fights Michael Chandler for vacant lightweight title
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier suggested that Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight each other for the vacant title. The race for the UFC lightweight title is high in the wake of Poirier’s knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov almost assuredly set to retire in the coming weeks and vacate the belt, Poirier — the self-named “uncrowned world champion” — is fully expected to be one half of whatever the next lightweight title fight is. His opponent, however, is still up in the air, with McGregor, Chandler, Oliveira, and Nate Diaz all realistic options.
Khamzat Chimaev says he has never seen Leon Edwards fight
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Ahead of their upcoming main event matchup, UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev admitted that he has never watched Leon Edwards fight. After two previous matchups fell apart due to COVID-19 issues, Chimaev and Edwards will now meet in the headliner of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Fight fans are crossing their fingers that both men remain healthy so this fight can finally take place as expected, with the winner of the bout potentially earning a title shot against the winner of UFC 258’s Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns championship fight.
Video | Mike Goldberg parodies Conor McGregor in hilarious cameo
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Bellator commentator Mike Goldberg parodied Conor McGregor’s “who da fook are you?” in a comical cameo from the former UFC play-by-play man. Goldberg was the long-time UFC play-by-play commentator and he now does the same job for Bellator. In a recent cameo, a fan asked Goldberg to talk about the UFC 257 main event fight between McGregor and Dustin Poirier, and “Goldie” made sure the fan got their money’s worth. Check out the hilarious cameo video of Goldberg parodying the infamous “who the fook are you?” McGregor moment below (via Borrachinha Depot).
Video | Watch former UFC fighter Nik Lentz remove his own stitches
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Former UFC fighter Nik Lentz posted a graphic video to his social media showing him removing his own stitches from above his eye. Lentz recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a split decision loss to Movsar Evloev on Fight Island. Lentz took more damage to his previously-injured eyes during the fight, prompting him to hang his gloves up. Of course, there was still the matter of the stitches that remained, and Lentz took care of it himself. The video might not be for everyone so viewer discretion is advised. In the video, you can see Lentz removing multiple stitches from above his right eye. Check out Lentz removing his stitches “Carnival style” below via his Twitter.
Aspen Ladd challenges Julianna Pena to fight this spring
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd has officially challenged fellow divisional stalwart Julianna Pena to a fight this spring. Ladd took to her social media on Sunday to make the callout of Pena, in response to a tweet of Pena calling out UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
Jessica Andrade plans on flyweight title fight with Valentina Shevchenko this spring
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Jessica Andrade says she is planning on fighting UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko sometime later this spring. After defeating Katlyn Chookagian in her 125lbs debut last fall on Fight Island, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Andrade would be next in line for Shevchenko after she took out Jennifer Maia at UFC 255. So far, we have not heard much in the way of progress in booking this fight, but Team Andrade is hoping to get some good news soon. Speaking to AG Fight, Andrade’s coach Gilliard Parana said they want to fight Shevchenko this fall, but would take another fight if the UFC decides on it.
Marvin Vettori plans on taking "European crown" from Darren Till in April
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori says he plans on taking the “European crown” from rival Darren Till when they meet in April. Vettori takes on Till in the main event of an upcoming UFC Fight Night event slated for April 10 in Las Vegas. It’s a battle between the Italian Vettori and the Brit Till, and the fact both men are from Europe adds an additional layer of intrigue to this contest. Taking to his social media in the days after the fight was officially announced, Vettori posted a promotional poster of the matchup on his Instagram, adding that the winner of this upcoming bout will wear the “European crown.”
Manny Pacquiao: Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin Poirier in rematch
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao believes that Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin Poirier heading into their main event rematch at UFC 257. McGregor entered the rematch with Poirier as a huge betting favorite yet lost in shocking fashion when he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss. McGregor and Poirier previously met back at UFC 178 in September 2014, with McGregor winning that fight by first-round knockout. It’s because he won the first meeting between the pair that Pacquiao believes that McGregor underestimated Poirier.
Wife of Ben Askren responds after Jake Paul calls Amy Askren "thicc"
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
The wife of former UFC star-turned-boxer Ben Askren responded after his upcoming boxing opponent Jake Paul called Amy Askren “thicc.” Askren takes on Paul in a highly-anticipated boxing match on April 17 for the Triller app. It’s Askren’s first professional boxing match, while for Paul it’s his third fight following two knockout wins over AnEsonGib and Nate Robinson. As one would expect, both Askren and Paul have already begun their trash talk in the lead-up to the fight, and now things are getting personal. In the days after the fight was announced, Paul made lewd comments about Ben’s wife Amy, calling her “thicc.”
Former World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski returns to MMA at KSW 59
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Former World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski returns to mixed martial arts when he takes on an opponent TBD at KSW 59 in March. The promotion itself announced that “Pudzian” will return on March 20 at KSW 59 for his first MMA fight since a TKO win over Erko Jun at KSW 51 in November 2019.
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returns after five-year layoff with brutal KO at XMMA
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returned after a five-year layoff with a brutal KO win over Ryan Lilley at XMMA. Rivera previously fought for the UFC twice, in 2011 and then between 2012 and 2016. Overall, “Cisco” went 4-6, 1 NC in the UFC, with memorable knockout wins over Alex Caceres, George Roop, and Edwin Figueroa. However, after losing three straight fights between 2015 and 2016, the UFC released him after he failed a USADA drug test. USADA dropped the hammer on Rivera for using the banned substance clenbuterol, and he has been on the sidelines ever since July 2016.
Kamaru Usman explains why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into UFC 258
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman explained why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into his UFC 258 fight with Gilbert Burns. Usman takes on Burns on February 13 in the main event of UFC 258 in a title fight that previously fell apart twice, at UFC 256 and at UFC 258. Despite going 12-0 so far in the UFC, there are many experts who believe Burns will win this fight. It’s that kind of thinking that has the UFC welterweight champion Usman admitting that he still has the chip on his shoulder because he wants to be the best in the world, and he wants to get more respect for everything that he has accomplished in the game.
Video | James Vick suffers another stoppage loss at XMMA
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC standout James Vick suffered his third consecutive stoppage loss at tonight’s XMMA event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Vick (13-6 MMA) became a free agent in October of 2019, this after the UFC opted against renewing his contract.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov jumps in for cousin Umar's victory interview: "You're not ready for English"
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov had some fun at the expense of his cousin Umar during the bantamweights backstage interview at UFC Fight Island 8. Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0 MMA) made his highly anticipated Octagon debut at last week’s Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. The Russian prospect made quick work of his opponent Sergey Morozov, scoring a second round submission victory.
Matt Brown will not be retiring following his loss to Carlos Condit: "I think I can do a lot bigger things than I’ve ever done before”
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Fan favorite welterweight fighter Matt Brown will not be retiring following his recent unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit. Brown and Condit squared off in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 7 two weeks ago, with ‘The Natural Born Killer’ emerging victorious by way of judges decision.
Gilbert Burns shares his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Soon to be welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns has shared his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards. Burns (19-3 MMA) is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC’s coveted welterweight championship in two weeks at UFC 258. ‘Durinho’ will enter the highly anticipated title bout on a six-fight winning streak. During that impressive stretch the Brazilian has scored victories over Oliver Aubin-Mercier, Mike Davis, Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and most recently Tyron Woodley.
Dan Hooker takes to social media for the first time since being KO'd by Michael Chandler
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Dan Hooker has made his first social media appearance since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker (20-10 MMA) squared off with the former Bellator champion in the co-headliner of last weekend’s pay-per-view with hopes of spoiling Chandler’s Octagon debut.
WWE's Bill Goldberg says he "would have loved" to fight in MMA, believes his stand-up skills would have played well
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
WWE superstar Bill Goldberg says he “would have loved” to fight in MMA, adding that he believes his stand-up would have played well. Goldberg continues to thrive in the pro wrestling industry and is set to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble this Sunday.