MMA News
Sijara Eubanks issues statement following loss to Pannie Kianzad at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Sijara Eubanks issued a statement following her unanimous decision loss to Pannie Kianzad at UFC Vegas 17. Eubanks came into the bout ranked No. 13 in the world at 135lbs, but she suffered her second straight defeat with a unanimous decision defeat to Kianzad. It was a close, competitive fight throughout the 15 minutes, but Kianzad was sharper with her boxing and her effective striking was what ultimately won her the fight on points. The judges scored the fight unanimously in the favor of Kianzad, with all three judges giving her the fight 29-28. It was a very close fight that came down to who won the last round.
Anthony Pettis is moving back to lightweight, eyes a rematch with “tough dude” Tony Ferguson
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says he is moving back to 155lbs and he is eyeing a rematch with “tough dude” Tony Ferguson. Pettis defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision in the preliminary card headliner at UFC Vegas 17. Following a decision win over Donald Cerrone back at UFC 249, Pettis has now won two fights in a row and he just finished the last fight on his UFC deal. “Showtime” said following UFC Vegas 17 that he wants to test free agency and see what else is out there, mentioning his little brother Sergio Pettis left the UFC for Bellator. However, Pettis said that his top choice would be to re-sign with the UFC.
Aljamain Sterling responds to TJ Dillashaw’s claim that everyone is calling him out “cause they all know that’s my belt”
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling responded to TJ Dillashaw’s claim that everyone is calling him out “cause they all know that’s my belt.” Dillashaw, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has not fought since January 2019 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs and being suspended for two years. With Dillashaw’s suspension up next month, he has become a popular target for other top fighters at 135lbs to call out. One of those fighters was former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who called Dillashaw out following his decision win over Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17, a callout that Dillashaw responded to on his Twitter.
Stephen Thompson says he will consider Khamzat Chimaev "the real deal" only if he beats Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson says he will consider top prospect Khamzat Chimaev “the real deal” only if he beats Leon Edwards. Thompson was one of the top-ranked welterweights who were called out by Chimaev after he beat Gerald Meerschaert in September, but Thompson turned down the fight citing him being far above Chimaev in the rankings. The UFC was eventually able to book Chimaev against Leon Edwards, and the two will meet on Fight Island on January 20 after their original booking for UFC Vegas 17 fell through due to COVID-19. Thompson, meanwhile, went on to fight No. 11 ranked Geoff Neal and won a decision.
UFC Vegas 17 bonus report: Marcin Tybura wins 50k for finishing Greg Hardy
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
The bonus report for UFC Vegas 17 is out, and heavyweight Marcin Tybura took home $50,000 after finishing Greg Hardy via second-round TKO. Tybura was one of four fighters who received 50k bonus checks just in time for Christmas after their spectacular performances at UFC Vegas 17. For Tybura, he picked up a TKO win over Hardy in the second round after taking quite a bit of punishment in the first round. Considering it was the first time that Hardy has ever been stopped with strikes in his MMA career, this was a huge win for Tybura that earned him 50k extra. Following UFC Vegas 17, the promotion announced the bonus recipients of the 50gs.
Tito Ortiz explains why he is anti-mask and won't get the COVID-19 vaccine
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion-turned-politician Tito Ortiz explained why he is anti-mask and won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ortiz, the pioneer of mixed martial arts and a UFC Hall of Famer, was recently named as a Huntington Beach City Council member following the recent election. Ortiz was roasted at his first meeting at city council and has become the butt end of jokes on social media from fans and critics who do not believe he should be in a position of political power. One of the things that critics have pointed to is Ortiz’s anti-mask stance and his take on the COVID-19 vaccine, which he recently admitted he will no be taking.
Henry Cejudo releases new rap video "Cringe Ass Henry"
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo released a new rap video ahead of the Fighters Only awards, “Cringe Ass Henry.” Cejudo, who retired from mixed martial arts in the prime of his career following a second-round TKO win over Dominick Cruz back at UFC 249, has stayed in the limelight of the public since his retirement. Despite not being an active fighter inside the Octagon any longer, it hasn’t stopped Cejudo from keeping active on social media. Seemingly every week Cejudo posts a meme or calls out a current UFC champion as he has truly embraced the “King of Cringe” moniker ever since he officially stepped away from MMA.
Anthony Pettis discusses what’s next after fighting out his contract at UFC Vegas 17
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Anthony Pettis discussed what’s next for him after fighting out the final fight of his contract at UFC Vegas 17. Pettis defeated Alex Morono by unanimous decision on the preliminary card of the final UFC event of 2020. For Pettis, it was a great way to close the year after previously defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 249 and falling to Diego Ferreira at UFC 246. After losing to Ferreira, it looked like Pettis was really on the decline in his MMA career, but the wins over Cerrone and Morono show he still has plenty left in the tank. But where his next fight takes place is not yet known as Pettis is now a free agent fighter.
Michael Bisping defends comments from UFC Vegas 17 after being accused of throwing shade at Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry and Niko Price
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
Michael Bisping defended his comments from UFC Vegas 17 after being accused of throwing shade at Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry, and Niko Price. Bisping, the former UFC middleweight champion, is one of the UFC’s color commentators and he worked the desk on Saturday night alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Brendan Fitzgerald. On Saturday night during the main event between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal, Bisping made a comment about the fighters who Neal beat on his win streak including Muhammad, Perry, and Price, insinuating that they aren’t on the same level that Thompson is.
Michel Pereira issues fiery callout of former UFC champion Anthony Pettis
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Michel Pereira issued a fiery callout of former UFC champion Anthony Pettis following their victories at UFC Vegas 17. On the preliminary card, Anthony Pettis earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Alex Morono for his second straight victory after beating Donald Cerrone in his last fight at UFC 249. A few fights later on the main card and Pereira won a competitive decision over rising star Khaos Williams. With both men winning on the same card, and with Pereira looking to steal Pettis’ top-15 ranking and break in the rankings himself, this certainly feels like a potential welterweight matchup to look forward to in 2021.
Stephen Thompson wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs. ‘BMF’ rematch with Jorge Masvidal next
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson says he wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs ‘BMF’ rematch with former opponent Jorge Masvidal in 2021. Thompson and Masvidal first met back at UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre in November 2017, with Thompson winning a unanimous decision that night. Since then, Thompson has remained a top-10 welterweight, while Masvidal has exploded into superstardom. After losing to Thompson, Masvidal reeled off three straight wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz by stoppage before finally losing to Kamaru Usman. As for Thompson, he beat Vicente Luque at UFC 244 on the undercard of Masvidal vs. Diaz.
Jake Paul responds to Michael Bisping: "My team is working on a melatonin brand deal for you and Nate"
Christopher Taylor - December 20, 2020
Youtuber turned professional boxer Jake Paul has responded to some recent comments from former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. Earlier this week, ‘The Count’ revealed on his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast that his management had been contacted by Jake Paul’s team about a potential boxing match.
Jose Aldo explains why he called out TJ Dillashaw following win at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Jose Aldo called out former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw following his victory over Marlon Vera at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. The former UFC featherweight kingpin, Aldo (29-7 MMA), entered Saturday’s co-headliner in hopes of picking up his first promotional win at bantamweight. ‘The King of Rio’ had competed at 135-pounds in both of his previous Octagon appearances, but suffered losses to Marlon Moraes and Petr Yan respectively.
Stephen Thompson releases classy statement after being taken to hospital following win over Geoff Neal
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson issued a classy statement following his victory over Geoff Neal this evening. In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, ‘Wonderboy’ took on ‘Handz of Steel’ in matchup of perennial division contenders.
Geoff Neal releases statement following loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Geoff Neal has released a statement after having his seven-fight win streak snapped by Stephen Thompson at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Neal (13-3 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year for tonight’s scrap with ‘Wonderboy’. The Texas native had most previously competed at UFC 245 in December of 2019, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Mike Perry.
Greg Hardy issues statement following TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former NFL star Greg Hardy was looking to extend his win streak to three in a row when he squared off with Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 17. Hardy (7-3 MMA) had entered Saturday’s bout fresh off a second round TKO victory over Maurice Greene on Halloween evening. Prior to that, ‘The Prince of War’ had picked up a unanimous decision victory over Yorgan de Castro back in May.
TJ Dillashaw responds to challenge from Jose Aldo
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has responded after receiving a challenge from Jose Aldo this evening. Aldo (29-7 MMA) returned to the Octagon this evening for a bantamweight bout with Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera’. After two rounds of back and forth action, the former UFC featherweight champion in Jose Aldo was able to turn in a dominant final five minutes to emerge victorious.
Pros react after Stephen Thompson defeats Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 17
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
A key welterweight bout between perennial division contenders Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal headlined tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.