MMA News
Pros react after Cory Sandhagen TKO's Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Island 5
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 5 event in Abu Dhabi was headlined by a bantamweight bout featuring Marlon Moraes taking on Cory Sandhagen. The former bantamweight title challenger, Moraes (23-7-1 MMA), was returning to action for the first time since scoring a controversial split decision win over Jose Aldo at UFC 245.
UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Cory Sandhagen TKO's Marlon Moraes (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 5 event in Abu Dhabi is headlined by a bantamweight bout featuring Marlon Moraes taking on Cory Sandhagen. The former bantamweight title challenger, Moraes (23-6-1 MMA), will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a controversial split decision win over Jose Aldo at UFC 245.
UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Edson Barboza defeats Makwan Amirkhani (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
The co-main event of UFC Fight Island 5 will feature an intriguing featherweight contest between Edson Barboza and Makwan Amirkhani. Barboza (20-9 MMA) will be looking to snap a three-fight losing skid at tonight’s event on Yas Island. The Brazilian made his featherweight debut this May in Jacksonville, but wound up dropping a split decision loss to Hawaiian standout Dan Ige.
Pros react to Marcin Tybura defeating Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Island 5
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
A heavyweight bout between Ben Rothwell and Marcin Tybura took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Fight Island event in Abu Dhabi. Rothwell (38-12 MMA) entered the contest having gone 2-2 since returning to the UFC in March of 2019. With that said, ‘Big Ben’ was sporting a two-fight winning streak, his latest being a split decision win over Ovince Saint Preux this past May.
Ali Abdelaziz offers Tony Ferguson a unique proposal to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 254
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Dominance MMA owner Ali Abdelaziz has made a unique offer to Tony Ferguson in hopes of persuading ‘El Cucuy’ to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 254. Makhachev (18-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Rafael dos Anjos at this month’s pay-per-view event on Yas Island. However, ‘RDA’ was forced to withdraw from the contest after contracting the dreaded Coronavirus.
Gilbert Burns fires back after Nate Diaz dubs Dan Hooker the "number one welterweight right now"
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Gilbert Burns has responded to Nate Diaz after the Stockton native insinuated that Dan Hooker is currently the welterweight divisions top contender. While Hooker (20-9 MMA) is undoubtedly a great fighter, ‘The Hangman’ currently competes at lightweight and thus is not even in the conversation for a title shot at 170-pounds.
Darren Till offers to step up and fight Khamzat Chimaev
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till is not shying away from a possible fight with rising star Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev (9-0 MMA) has gone a perfect 3-0 since making his Octagon debut earlier this summer on Fight Island. During that impressive stretch, ‘Borz’ has scored three stoppage victories, his latest being a 17-second knockout win over Gerald Meerschaert.
Nate Diaz suggests Dan Hooker is the "number one welterweight right now"
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2020
Former UFC title challenger Nate Diaz took to social media this evening where he proclaimed Dan Hooker as the “number welterweight right now”. While Hooker (20-9 MMA) is undoubtedly a great fighter, he currently is not in the conversation for title contention at 170-pounds.
Marvin Vettori fires back at "lying bitch" Israel Adesanya: "Ask your dad I'm sure he knows"
Chris Taylor - October 9, 2020
UFC middleweight standout Marvin Vettori (15-4-1 MMA) has gone 3-0 since dropping a split decision loss to Israel Adesanya in April of 2018. Despite the Italian’s recent success, the UFC’s reigning middleweight champion in Israel Adesanya recently revealed that he would never fight Vettori again.
Israel Adesanya pondering moving up a weight class to dethrone Jan Blachowicz
Chris Taylor - October 9, 2020
Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (20-0 MMA) is weighing his options following his TKO victory over Paulo Costa. ‘Stylebender’ and ‘The Eraser’ collided in the headliner of last month’s UFC 253 pay-per-view event on Fight Island. While many were expecting the contest to result in a “fight of the year” performance, that did not prove to be the case.
Israel Adesanya expects future rematch with Kelvin Gastelum but not Marvin Vettori: "He'll never see me again"
Chris Taylor - October 9, 2020
Israel Adesanya believes a future rematch with Kelvin Gastelum is in the cards but shot down any idea of a second fight with Marvin Vettori. Adesanya (20-0 MMA), who picked up a sensational TKO victory over the previously undefeated Paulo Costa in his most recent effort at UFC 253, recently sat down with MMAJunkie where he discussed the possibility of a future rematch with ‘The Eraser’.
Khamzat Chimaev claims Chris Weidman and Stephen Thompson turned him down
Adam Martin - October 9, 2020
Top prospect Khamzat Chimaev claims UFC middleweight Chris Weidman and UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson both turned him down. Since making his Octagon debut on Fight Island in July, Chimaev has quickly turned heads and emerged as a new star for the UFC. The 26-year-old Swede has defeated John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and most recently Gerald Meerschaert by stoppage in his first three UFC fights. UFC president Dana White said that the promotion will have him in a headlining slot against a ranked opponent, but so far Chimaev hasn’t had his next fight booked.
UFC stars share their thoughts on abstaining from sex before fights
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2020
Do UFC stars like Colby Covington, Mackenzie Dern, Cory Sandhagen and Cynthia Calvillo abstain from sex before their fights? From the sounds of it, no. There are many theories out there about the benefits of abstaining some sex before athletic competitions—specifically before fights. The science supporting these theories is hotly debated, and it certainly doesn’t seem like many UFC fighters are buying it.
Video | Markus Perez dresses as The Joker at UFC Fight Island 6 weigh-ins
Adam Martin - October 9, 2020
UFC middleweight Markus Perez starred as “Joker” during a memorable staredown ahead of his matchup at Saturday’s UFC Fight Island 6 card. This weekend, Perez takes on UFC newcomer Dricus Du Plessis in what marks his sixth fight in the Octagon. Perez has gone just 2-3 so far in the UFC, but his fights have generally been exciting for the fans. However, Perez is not just known for what he does in the cage. “Maluko” is also known for putting on makeup and looking like Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker” during his past few weigh-ins. On Friday, he took it to a whole other level.
Ronda Rousey claims commentators didn't understand her armbar technique: "My armbar’s perfect, f**k you"
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2020
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was known for her armbars, but she approached the maneuver a little unconventionally. Speaking during an appearance on the First We Feast YouTube show Hot Ones, Rousey discussed the nuances of her signature move, and claimed that the commentators for her fights occasionally didn’t understand the way she did it.
Mackenzie Dern set to return at UFC 256 against Virna Jandiroba
Adam Martin - October 9, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern is set to return at UFC 256 when she takes on former Invicta FC champion Virna Jandiroba. MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz was the first to report the Dern vs. Jandiroba fight that will take place at UFC 256, which is set to take place on December 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event recently lost its main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, though rumors have been floating out there that the rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier could land on this card. Women’s 145lbs champ Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson is also slated for this event.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum talks in "advanced" stage for rematch in Bellator
Adam Martin - October 9, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum says talks are in advanced stages for a rematch with Fedor Emelianenko in Bellator. The 43-year-old Werdum recently became a free agent following a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson on Fight Island in July. The long-time MMA heavyweight veteran reportedly spoke to several promotions in his foray into free agency, but it appears the one that most figured made the most sense, Bellator, has made the biggest push to sign him.
Israel Adesanya: Jon Jones matchup will be "biggest fight in UFC history"
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes his seemingly inevitable fight with Jon Jones will be the biggest in UFC history. Adesanya and Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, have been jawing back-and-forth on social media and in interviews for months. Their trash talk has been getting increasingly venomous, with both men even mentioning the other’s families recently.