MMA News
Alexander Volkanovski denies UFC has offered him the Henry Cejudo fight
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has denied that the UFC has offered him a fight against rival Henry Cejudo. Volkanovski most recently competed at UFC 251 on Fight Island, where he won a controversial split decision over Max Holloway to keep his featherweight title. In the two months since then, Cejudo has been all over social media chirping Volkanovski and looking to fight him. The UFC has not yet booked Volkanovski for his next fight, leading to fans and media speculating that Cejudo could potentially jump the line and get it.
Ryan Garcia says he wants to "beat the sh*t" out of Henry Cejudo
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
Undefeated lightweight boxing star Ryan Garcia says that he wants to “beat the sh*t” out of former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo. Cejudo recently retired from MMA following a TKO win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, but he has been active in his retirement calling out MMA fighters and boxers, including Garcia. Both Cejudo and Garcia have been going back-and-forth in interviews over the last few months, making their feelings known about each other. Both men do not like one another, and both men are interested in a potential MMA fight or boxing match.
Michael Chandler in consideration for UFC fight with Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is reportedly being considered as a potential opponent for former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. After knocking out Benson Henderson at Bellator 243, Chandler entered in a period of free agency. Buzz about his potential move to the UFC was immediate.
Coach says Paulo Costa wants to fight Jon Jones: "He can’t hide"
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Eric Albarracin says his star pupil, upcoming UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa, still wants to fight Jon Jones in the future. Costa is set to challenge Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 253 on September 26. Speaking to ESPN recently, Albarracin expressed his confidence that Costa will win that title fight, and also suggested that Costa could move up to the light heavyweight division in search of a fight with Jones thereafter.
ONE Championship signs 16-year-old sister of titleholders Angela Lee, Christian Lee
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
ONE Championship has signed 16-year-old prospect Victoria Lee, the younger sister of the promotion’s atomweight champ Angela Lee and lightweight champ Christian Lee. ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced this signing on social media on Wednesday.
Ben Askren explains what Tyron Woodley needs to do to "knock Colby out"
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Ben Askren believes he knows what Tyron Woodley needs to do in order to knock out Colby Covington in the main event of UFC on ESPN 11 this weekend. Woodley will enter his fight with Covington on a two-fight skid, having given up back-to-back decisions to Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Askren believes that, in order to return to his old habit of knocking his opponents out, Woodley needs to get out of his own head and let his hands fly.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN+ 36: Covington vs. Woodley
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 13 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36: Covington vs. Woodley event. In the main event, it’s a five-round UFC welterweight grudge match between rivals Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley. Covington is coming off of a fifth-round TKO loss to Kamaru Usman in his last fight while Woodley is coming off of back-to-back decision losses to Usman and Gilbert Burns. Both men are ranked in the top-five at 170lbs so it’s important for both Covington and Woodley to win if they want to stay in title contention.
Dana White signs three more Contender Series fighters to UFC deals, including 1-0 fighter
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White signed three more fighters to UFC contracts following the conclusion of Tuesday night’s Contender Series 33. White has been busy handing out contracts during the fourth season of the Contender Series. With the UFC doing a show every weekend and with so many fights falling out at the last minute, the promotion has had no problem giving out contracts to Contender Series talent, and this Tuesday’s edition of the popular show was no different.
Dana White claims Dustin Poirier "didn't want" Ferguson fight, Poirier responds
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims Dustin Poirier “didn’t want” to accept a widely rumored fight with Tony Ferguson. Poirier, however, begs to differ.
Renato Moicano forced to withdraw from planned Magomed Mustafaev bout on Fight Island
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Renato Moicano has been forced to pull out of his planned Fight Island bout against Magomed Mustafaev, Ag Fight reports. Moicano made a successful transition up to lightweight back in March when he was able to submit Damir Hadžović in just 44 seconds over in Brazil. He was initially set to square off with Mustafaev on October 17, who has won three of his five UFC bouts thus far, but it now appears as if that’s no longer happening.
Dustin Poirier receives message from Bellator's Patricky Freire following failed UFC negotiations
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Bellator star Patricky Freire has sent a clear message to Dustin Poirier after his recent negotiation troubles with the UFC. Fans have been anticipating the proposed showdown between Poirier and Tony Ferguson for months now, but after “The Diamond” recently confirmed that he was not able to come to terms on a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans have started to question why the promotion isn’t giving Poirier the kind of offer that they believe he deserves.
Dana White suggests Dustin Poirier negotiated himself out of Tony Ferguson fight, 'The Diamond' responds
Christopher Taylor - September 15, 2020
UFC President Dana White suggested on Tuesday that Dustin Poirier had negotiated himself out of a fight with Tony Ferguson. Earlier this month it was reported that a massive lightweight fight between Poirier and Ferguson would serve as the co-headliner of October’s UFC 254 pay-per-view event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he cannot be compared to Muhammad Ali
Christopher Taylor - September 15, 2020
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was recently asked about being compared to boxing legend Muhammad Ali. “Many fans are increasingly comparing you to Muhammad Ali. Do you like this comparison?” a reporter asked Nurmagomedov.
Tyron Woodley says he won't shake Colby Covington's hand after he knocks him out
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington have had a heated rivalry in the lead up to their UFC Vegas 11 fight and it appears their feud will last longer than that. Woodley and Covington have trashed talked one another for years. Nearly two years to the date they were supposed to fight. Yet, the UFC could not come to an agreement with “Chaos” and “The Chosen One” went on to defend his belt against Darren Till.
Thiago Santos has been forced out of October 3 fight with Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - September 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos has been forced out of his upcoming October 3 fight against Glover Teixeira. According to a report from Globo’s Marcelo Barone, Santos tested positive for COVID-19 and his fight against Teixeira set for the October 3 card on Fight Island has been scrapped. Ironically, Santos and Teixeira were supposed to meet at UFC on ESPN+ 35 this past weekend, but Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight had to be rescheduled. Unfortunately, the other half of the fight in Santos has also tested positive.
Tyron Woodley explains why Nick Diaz has already done enough to earn UFC Hall of Fame induction
Natasha Hooper - September 15, 2020
Tyron Woodley believes that Nick Diaz has already done enough to earn a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. The eldest of the two Diaz brothers, Nick (37 years old), hasn’t fought for over five years and has just one victory against B.J. Penn since switching over from Strikeforce in 2011. He has amassed a 26-9 (2 NC) record and has fought some of the toughest opponents in the Octagon including Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.
Johnny Walker expects to finish Ryan Spann after having "one of the best camps ever" at SBG Ireland
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Johnny Walker is on a two-fight losing streak and thus has made some career changes ahead of his upcoming fight. At UFC Vegas 11, Walker is set to take on Ryan Spann in a very intriguing matchup. Normally, Walker trains at Tristar in Montreal, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he could not get into Canada so he decided to send John Kavanagh a message to train at SBG Ireland.
Artem Lobov recounts favorite moments of UFC career
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Artem Lobov has some fond memories from his time competing under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner. Lobov, who has a 14-15-1 overall record, competed in the UFC from 2015 to 2018. In that time, he amassed a 2-5 promotional record, defeating Teruto Ishihara and Chris Avila, and coming up short to top talents in Ryan Hall, Alex White, Cub Swanson, Andre Fili, and lastly, Michael Johnson.