MMA News
Sean O'Malley explains the only way he would fight Marlon Vera again
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley recently explained the only way he would accept a rematch against his bitter rival Marlon Vera. O’Malley and Vera met back at UFC 252 in August, and the Ecuadorian fighter pulled off the upset when he finished O’Malley in the first round with strikes. O’Malley injured his ankle in that fight and Vera took advantage of his ailment by putting him away via TKO. But in the months since that fight took place, O’Malley has refused to accept that it was a legitimate loss. After Vera lost a unanimous decision to Jose Aldo at UFC Vegas 17, O’Malley used it as an opportunity to scoff at his rival Vera.
John Kavanagh: Dustin Poirier has already felt Conor McGregor's KO power
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
Coach John Kavanagh wants the MMA community to remember that Dustin Poirier has already felt Conor McGregor’s knockout power in the past. McGregor and Poirier meet for the second time next month at UFC 257 on UFC Fight Island. The first time these two fought was back in September 2014 at UFC 178. That fight was almost seven years ago and it was down at featherweight. Both men are different fighters now and both are now fighting up at lightweight. It’s why some analysts believe that Poirier has a much better chance to win the rematch this time.
Dustin Poirier praises "incredible" Charles Oliveira, calls Michael Chandler a "good fighter"
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier praised divisional rivals Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler for their recent performances. Oliveira has won eight straight fights and, back at UFC 256, he picked up the biggest win of his career when he defeated Tony Ferguson via lopsided decision. As for Chandler, he is set to make his UFC debut in 2021 after the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion signed with the world’s leading MMA promotion as a free agent this year. Oliveira is a ranked fighter and Chandler will soon join him in the top-15 of what UFC president Dana White says is the UFC’s strongest division.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape re-booked for potential flyweight title eliminator
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
Alexandre Pantoja and Manel Kape have been re-booked for a potential flyweight title eliminator against each other for early next year. Pantoja vs. Kape was originally scheduled to take place at UFC Vegas 17 on December 19 in Las Vegas, but the bout fell apart after Pantoja withdrew from the bout. The UFC then pulled Kape from the card as well and tabbed him to be the backup fighter to the UFC 256 main event between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. However, both Figueiredo and Moreno made weight and Kape never ended up making his UFC debut after all at UFC 256.
Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor rematch "could potentially be" for a belt
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier believes that his upcoming rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 257 “could potentially be” for a belt. The status of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is up in the air at the moment. After defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA. However, UFC president Dana White says that he will be meeting with the lightweight champ in January in Abu Dhabi in order to convince him to fight one more time. With Nurmagomedov’s current status in limbo, some have called for him to vacate his title or for an interim belt to potentially be created.
Kevin Holland surprises lucky fan with heavy bag for Christmas
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland surprised one lucky MMA fan on Twitter with a heavy bag just in time for Christmas. On Christmas day, Holland wished his followers on social media happy holidays and asked them what gifts they got for Christmas. One fan showed Holland that he received a pair of MMA gloves as a present but he said he didn’t have a heavy bag in order to use them. Looking to lift the spirits of one lucky fan, Holland shot the fan a message and told them to send him a DM with their address. “Ho Ho” Holland said that he would be sending the fan a small heavy bag so they have a great Christmas.
Julianna Pena vs. Sara McMann added to UFC 257
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
An important women’s bantamweight bout between Julianna Pena and Sara McMann has been added to the upcoming UFC 257 pay-per-view card. Pena vs. McMann was originally set to take place at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar, but the fight was pushed back a week to UFC 257 instead. The bout will now take place on January 23 on the undercard of the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 pay-per-view. With Pena and McMann both being ranked in the top-15 at women’s 135lbs, this is an important fight for both women as they look to move close to a bantamweight title shot.
Joaquin Buckley makes return to the Octagon against Alessio Di Chirico
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC middleweight Joaquin Buckley is set to make his return to the Octagon against Alessio Di Chirico early next year on UFC Fight Island. MMAjunkie.com was the first to confirm that Buckley vs. Di Chirico will take place on January 16, 2021, on the undercard of the UFC Fight Night: Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar event. That is the UFC’s first event of the new year, so the promotion is looking to keep Buckley busy after his star-making year in 2020. After scoring back-to-back knockouts in his last two fights, Buckley looks poised for a monster year in 2021, as well.
UFC featherweight Jared Gordon celebrates five years of sobriety
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC featherweight Jared Gordon celebrated five years of sobriety by sharing a motivational message with his followers on his social media. Gordon has been very open about his past drug addiction. In his late teens, Gordon began using prescription pain medication, and soon after in his early 20s, Gordon became addicted to heroin. He has admitted that he was homeless and panhandled in order to get money for drugs. The incredible thing was he was coming up as an excellent MMA prospect at the same time. From 2011 to 2015, Gordon won the first nine fights of his MMA career before suffering his first career loss to Jeff Lentz.
UFC Fight Night 184: "Holloway vs. Kattar" Fight Card and Rumors
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
Check out the latest fight card and rumors for the upcoming UFC Fight Night 184: Holloway vs. Kattar event in early January 2021. Event: UFC Fight Night 184: Holloway vs. Kattar Date: Saturday, January 16, 2021 Location: Fight Island in Abu Dhabi Broadcast: ESPN+ (3 pm EST prelims)
Daniel Cormier says Khabib Nurmagomedov would only return for superfight with Georges St. Pierre
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier says that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would only return for a superfight with Georges St. Pierre. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA following a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, a victory that improved his career record to 29-0. Nurmagomedov has said many times that getting to 30-0 is one of his goals, but after his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away in July from COVID-19, he said that he no longer wanted to continue to step into the Octagon.
Scott Coker says social media support made him sign Yoel Romero to Bellator
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker says that social media support made him sign former UFC star Yoel Romero to a contract with his organization. Coker and Bellator initially passed on signing Romero after the UFC released him earlier this month. Citing a younger roster as the reason for not bringing in Romero into his promotion, Coker said that Bellator wasn’t interested in signing him. However, after Bellator signed former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony Johnson a few days later, Coker did an about-face and signed Romero to a contract.
Bellator signs judo ace Irina Alekseeva, also known as the "Russian Ronda"
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
Bellator has signed judo ace Irina Alekseeva, who is also known as the “Russian Ronda,” to a new contract according to her management team. Brian Butler-Au of SuckerPunch Entertainment recently announced that Alekseeva will be taking her talents to Bellator. Check out the official announcement from Butler-Au below.
Bec Rawlings would "love" to fight Paige VanZant again, believes PVZ will "take a beating" in BKFC
Adam D Martin - December 27, 2020
Bec Rawlings says she would “love” to fight former UFC rival Paige VanZant again, admitting she believes PVZ will “take a beating” in BKFC. Rawlings and VanZant first met back in August 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Condit in Vancouver, Canada. In that fight, VanZant landed a brutal switch kick right on that button that knocked Rawlings out. Rawlings ended up fighting three more times in the UFC and lost those fights before being cut. Rawlings has since fought for Bellator, where she has gone 1-1, and for BKFC, where she is a perfect 3-0. BKFC, of course, is the new home of her rival VanZant, and Rawlings isn’t liking her chances in bare-knuckle fighting.
Vitor Belfort says he will put Jake Paul on his knees: "You are 'Joke' Paul. You're not Jake."
Chris Taylor - December 27, 2020
Former UFC champion and MMA legend Vitor Belfort sent a stern warning to YouTuber turned professional boxer Jake Paul. Paul (2-0) has been making headlines ever since scoring a brutal second round knockout over Nate Robinson at last months ‘Tyson vs. Jones Jr’ event.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Jose Aldo at 135 pounds?
Chris Taylor - December 26, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz is still hoping his client Cody Garbrandt can skip the line at flyweight, but if not a fight with MMA legend Jose Aldo will do. The UFC’s former bantamweight champion, Garbrandt (12-3 MMA), was slated to challenge Deiveson Figueiredo for the promotions flyweight title back at UFC 255 in November. Unfortunately for ‘No Love, he was forced to withdraw from the contest due to a bicep injury.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he was disappointed with Conor McGregor's performance at UFC 229
Chris Taylor - December 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov recently admitted that he was disappointed with the effort Conor McGregor put forth in their title fight at UFC 229. McGregor challenged Nurmagomedov for the promotions lightweight title back in October of 2018, but wound up losing the contest by way of fourth round submission.
Santiago Ponzinibbio details terrifying health complications that doctors feared could end his career
Chris Taylor - December 26, 2020
Santiago Ponzinibbio will make his long awaited return to the Octagon on January 16 for a welterweight bout with Li Jingliang. Ponzinibbio (27-3 MMA) was once one of the top-10 welterweights in the world after scoring a knockout victory over Neil Magny in November 2018. Unfortunately, ‘Gente Boa’ has not competed since then due to health issues, including a positive test for COVID-19.