MMA News
Opening betting odds released for Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Reports surfaced this week that the Usman vs. Burns fight is being targeted to headline UFC 256, which is set to take place on December 12. These two were previously scheduled to headline UFC 251 on Fight Island before Burns had to pull out of the fight after testing positive for COVID-19. Now that he’s healthy, the UFC was able to reschedule the bout for later this year. Check out the opening odds below for Usman vs. Burns via BestFightOdds.
Claudia Gadelha forced out of UFC 253 fight with Yan Xiaonan
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
Claudia Gadelha is out of her upcoming UFC 253 bout after suffering a knee injury. The strawweight won’t be able to fight at the September 26 pay-per-view event against Yan Xiaonan.
Dustin Poirier updates on rumored Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dustin Poirier has provided an update on his rumored scrap with fellow top-5 UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. While most fight fans are dying to see this matchup, Poirier says he hasn’t received an offer yet. However, he added that he’s ready to accept the fight when the offer comes, and he believes the UFC is keen to make it happen at UFC 254 in October, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Dominick Reyes recounts "running around the streets of New York" with Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes, who will battle Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 253 this September, has some fond memories with Israel Adesanya. Reyes was asked about Adesanya, who is scheduled to defend the UFC middleweight title against Paulo Costa in the UFC 253 main event, on the latest episode of Submission Radio.
Opening betting odds released for Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the rematch between welterweight contenders Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White revealed this week to TMZ that he is working on a rematch between Masvidal and Diaz to headline a pay-per-view card in January. The two fan favorites met last year at UFC 244 with the BMF title on the line. Following the third round, the doctor stopped the fight due to cuts on Diaz’s face, handing Masvidal a TKO victory.
Michael Chandler open to moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards: "I'm game"
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler says he is interested in moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards in the UFC. Chandler, a three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, recently became a free agent and is currently fielding offers from other promotions. Although a return to Bellator is always possible, he has been connected to the UFC, ONE Championship and the PFL in free agency, and he is expected to make his decision on his new home in the upcoming weeks.
Dominick Reyes "grateful" for Jon Jones saga, but admits "it's over"
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes is grateful for his rivalry with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but concedes that their rivalry has reached its conclusion. Reyes challenged Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in February, and ultimately lost a hotly debated unanimous decision. After this controversial outcome, he was adamant that he deserved a second crack at the champion. In the end, however, Jones vacated the light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, and Reyes was booked for a fight with Poland’s Jan Blachowicz, which will crown the new light heavyweight champ.
Ben Askren roasts UFC 256 title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the UFC 256 title showdown between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. It’s safe to say that “Funky” is one of the most outspoken figures in recent MMA history, and while his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship didn’t quite go to plan, he still knows how to rile people up on social media.
Anthony Smith "not doing well" following loss to Aleksandar Rakic
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he’s having a tough time recovering from his recent decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Smith and Rakic collided in the main event of UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday, with Rakic ultimately winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. In defeat, Smith fell onto a two-fight skid, having also come up short against Glover Teixeira earlier this year.
Daniel Cormier has asked UFC to remove him from the USADA testing pool and official rankings, says Dana White
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Daniel Cormier has asked to be removed from the USADA testing pool & UFC rankings. Cormier’s mixed martial arts career seemingly came to an end at UFC 252 last month as he was beaten by Stipe Miocic in their third and final fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Video | Post-op Ben Askren takes aim at Sean O’Malley: “Toughen up a little bit, son”
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
As soon as he exited the operating theatre, Ben Askren took aim at Sean O’Malley, encouraging him to “toughen up a little bit.” Askren has long been suffering from a hip injury which ultimately impacted his fights against Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, and his decision to retire in November 2019. His affliction is the collateral damage of his accomplished wrestling and MMA career which saw him climb through the ranks of Bellator and ONE Championship and perform in the Olympics.
Dana White says Jon Jones "can't jump over" Francis Ngannou for the next title shot against Stipe Miocic
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC president Dana White says Jon Jones “can’t jump over” Francis Ngannou for the next heavyweight title shot against Stipe Miocic. Jones recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and announced his move up to heavyweight. “Bones” has been lifting weights in an effort to put on more mass before making the move up a weight class, where he hopes to land an immediate title shot against Miocic. However, the No. 1 contender for Miocic’s belt is Ngannou, who has won his last four fights by knockout, meaning Jones may have to wait a while to get his title shot.
From drug dealer, robber to MMA fighter: the incredible story of Walter Pugliesi
Alfredo Zullino - September 1, 2020
Who are mixed martial artists? A group of men and women punching each other for money. But who are they once they get home, or who were they before? They might have been a math teacher, a real estate agent, a model, an office worker. They also might be a drug dealer. That’s the story of Walter Pugliesi.
Dana White says he will book Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar if both guys are "seriously interested"
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Dana White is interested in making a Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight. It was recently reported that Lesnar is a free agent after his WWE contract expired and he did not re-sign. Immediately, MMA fans wanted to see Lesnar back in the UFC to fight the likes of Jon Jones or go to Bellator to make the Fedor Emelianenko fight.
Video | Tyron Woodley reveals he is training with Jorge Masvidal ahead of Colby Covington fight
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Tyron Woodley has brought in Jorge Masvidal to train with him ahead of his UFC Vegas 11 main event scrap against Colby Covington. Woodley used to train at American Top Team alongside Masvidal and Covington, yet over the past couple of years, he and Covington started to dislike one another. During that same stretch, Masvidal and Covington also had a falling out so “Gamebred” has decided to train with Woodley.
After moving to Team Elevation, Montana De La Rosa looking for "a dominant win" over Viviane Araujo
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Montana De La Rosa made a big career change ahead of her UFC Vegas 9 fight against Viviane Araujo. For the majority of her career, Montana and her husband, Mark, were training in a small gym in Fort Worth, Texas. Yet, ahead of her UFC Vegas 9 fight, Montana decided she needed a change. That change was going to Colorado to train at Team Elevation.
Josh Barnett believes Brock Lesnar is using MMA as leverage to re-sign with the WWE
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
MMA heavyweight legend Josh Barnett believes that Brock Lesnar is using mixed martial arts as leverage to re-sign with the WWE. Reports emerged this week that Lesnar is now a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired, and he has already been connected to a return to MMA. The former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar has already been called out by Jon Jones on social media and Bellator president Scott Coker has admitted he is interested in matching up Lesnar against Fedor Emelianenko. But Barnett isn’t having any of the rumors.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns set for UFC 256, BMF title fight in the works
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC 256 could feature two welterweight title fights. Yes, that’s right two. According to a report from TMZ, undisputed welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is set defend his title against Gilbert Burns on the card, and a BMF title rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is also in the works for the event. Usman was originally expected to defend his title against Burns in July. Regrettably, Burns, who is riding a huge win over Tyron Woodley, was forced out of the fight when he tested positive for COVID-19. He was then replaced by Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.