MMA News
Michael Chandler sets his sights on Justin Gaethje following UFC 254
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2020
UFC newcomer Michael Chandler has his sights set on a potential showdown with fellow lightweight contender Justin Gaethje. “The Highlight” failed in his attempt to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday night as he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 254. Chandler, on the other hand, simply sat back and watched the action unfold after serving as the back-up fighter for the title bout.
Charles Oliveira calls for UFC lightweight title shot: "I am ready"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira is calling for a title shot in the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, saying he is “ready.” Oliveira is currently the No. 6 ranked lightweight in the UFC and is one of the hottest fighters in the division at the moment as he currently rides a seven-fight win streak with all seven wins by stoppage. A member of the UFC roster since 2010, Oliveira has a 29-8, 1 NC record in MMA including a 17-8, 1 NC record in the UFC alone. Despite that impressive record, Oliveira is rarely considered as a title contender at 155lbs.
Robert Whittaker calls rematch with Israel Adesanya "a hard fight"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Top contender Robert Whittaker called a potential rematch against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “a hard fight.” After defeating Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254, UFC president Dana White said that Whittaker would likely be the next opponent for Adesanya. Of course, these two previously met at UFC 243 in October 2019. Whittaker was the champion heading into that fight but he lost his belt to Adesanya by knockout. Since then, Whittaker has won two straight fights against Cannonier and Darren Till to jump back into title contention, while Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa.
Javier Mendez shocked Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, confirms the champ "is done"
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
Javier Mendez didn’t know Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to retire after he defeated Justin Gaethje. All the talk for Nurmagomedov has been he will retire at 30-0. Yet, after he defeated Gaethje to improve to 29-0 he announced his retirement from MMA. He said he could not continue without his father and for Mendez, he said you have to respect the champ’s decision to do that.
Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 targeted for March, says Dana White
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the UFC is targeting the rematch between heavyweights Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou to take place in March. Miocic defended the UFC heavyweight championship in August at UFC 252 when he won a unanimous decision over rival Daniel Cormier in the pair’s trilogy bout. White confirmed that Ngannou — who has won four straight fights by knockout — would be next in line to fight Miocic for the belt. But after Jon Jones made the announcement he would be pursuing a title shot at heavyweight as well, some thought Jones might skip by Ngannou.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had amazing reason for finishing Justin Gaethje with triangle choke instead of armbar
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has a reason why he switched from an armbar to a triangle choke on Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event. Nurmagomeov had a stunning performance as he tapped Gaethje out cold with a second-round submission that sent his opponent to sleep. Nurmagomedov improved to 29-0 with the win including a 13-0 mark in the Octagon alone. But of course, what everyone was talking about the day after the fight was Nurmagomedov’s shocking retirement, with his incredible win over Gaethje being pushed to the side in favor of the GOAT discussion.
Video | Watch fans in Dagestan react to Khabib Nurmagomedov defeating Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov impressed fight fans everywhere when he defeated Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, but the reaction of fans in his native Dagestan was something special. Nurmagomedov is a massive superstar in Dagestan and across Russia, and that’s clearer than ever when you watch the footage of fan reactions to his second-round submission win over Gaethje.
Conor McGregor vows he's "still committed" as lightweight division opens up
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has achieved a lot in MMA, but vows that he’s “still committed” to his goals in the sport. In terms of competitive achievements, McGregor is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history. In terms of financial achievements, he’s the most successful by a huge margin. Despite all that he’s done as a pro fighter, the Irishman says he’s “still committed.”
Matchmaking the lightweight division's top-10 after Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
The UFC’s lightweight title will soon be vacant after the champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje to defend his belt and then retired. Immediately after the champion announced his retirement, many were thinking what fight the UFC will book for the vacant belt. Newly signed lightweight, Michael Chandler called for there to be a tournament, but the appears unlikely. So, here is what we think should be next for the lightweight division.
How to watch ONE: Inside the Matrix in the US
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
ONE Championship is headed back to Singapore with its biggest event of the year. ONE: Inside the Matrix happens on Friday, October 30, broadcasting live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It will feature four championship fights, for a total of six compelling martial arts bouts. In the main event, reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will defend his middleweight world title against undefeated top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.
Joe Rogan declares Khabib Nurmagomedov "the GOAT"
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan has proclaimed the unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov as the Greatest of all Time in mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday night, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje, who was widely touted as his toughest test to date. In the moments after this win, Nurmagomedov shocked the world by announcing his retirement from MMA, riding off into the sunset with a flawless 29-0 MMA record and reputation as one of the best fighters ever.
Mike Perry vs. Robbie Lawler bout no longer listed as part of UFC 255 main card
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
A welterweight fight between “Platinum” Mike Perry and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is no longer listed as part of the UFC 255 main card. UFC 255 is scheduled to go down on November 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a men’s flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez, and co-headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia. Until recently, it was also expected to feature a welterweight scrap between Perry and Lawler, who is the division’s former champion.
Chael Sonnen rips Jon Jones for Twitter rant after UFC 254
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Chael Sonnen has some choice words for Jon Jones after the former UFC light heavyweight champ got busy on Twitter over the weekend. Jones was extremely active on the social media platform after Saturday’s UFC 254 card, explaining in a multi-Tweet tirade why he—not UFC 254 main event winner Khabib Nurmagomedov—is MMA’s pound-for-pound king. See some of the highlights of his arguments below:
Jeremy Stephens forced out of November 7 UFC fight with Arnold Allen
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2020
UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens has been forced out of his November 7 fight against Arnold Allen, MMA Junkie reports. Stephens has been pulled from the fight due to an injury but the problem isn’t expected to take long for him to recover from, and the veteran is expected to return in late 2020 or early 2021. The fight would’ve given “Lil Heathen” the opportunity to bounce back from a run of five fights without a win dating all the way back to February 2018.
Josh Thomson roasts Nate Diaz for claiming Khabib Nurmagomedov is actually 29-1
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2020
Josh Thomson has taken a shot at Nate Diaz after he seemed to poke fun at Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC 254. The mixed martial arts world was quick to praise Khabib after his phenomenal win over Justin Gaethje on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. Alas, while many were happy for the Russian, Nate Diaz wasn’t quite as friendly by putting up a tweet that simply said “29 and 1”.
Nate Diaz claims Khabib Nurmagomedov actually retired 29-1
Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2020
Nate Diaz was not among the many fighters who congratulated Khabib Nurmagomedov following his victory and subsequent retirement at UFC 254. In the headliner of Saturday’s pay-per-view event on Yas Island, ‘The Eagle’ put his undefeated record and lightweight world title on the line against reigning interim champion Justin Gaethje.
Jared Cannonier issues statement following loss to Robert Whittaker: "The very first kick he threw broke or fractured my left ulna"
Chris Taylor - October 25, 2020
A key middleweight bout between former division champion Robert Whittaker and surging contender Jared Cannonier co-headlined yesterday’s UFC 254 event. The bout had massive stakes for ‘The Killa Gorilla’, as UFC President Dana White had already confirmed that if Cannonier could defeat Whittaker he would then earn the next title shot against Israel Adesanya.
Paulo Costa calls out Robert Whittaker: "We can do amazing fight"
Adam Martin - October 25, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa called out Robert Whittaker following his unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier at UFC 254. Costa is coming off of a TKO loss to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a failed bid to capture the belt at UFC 253. With Whittaker coming off the win over Cannonier, who was arguably next in line to fight Adesanya next, UFC president Dana White said that Whittaker vs. Adesanya is interesting. But Costa is now throwing a wrench in those potential plans by calling out for the Whittaker fight himself.