MMA News
Khamzat Chimaev makes quick return at UFC Fight Island 3, has chance to set UFC record
Adam Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev will soon get the chance to break a modern-day UFC record for the shortest amount of time to get two wins in the Octagon. Chimaev made his UFC debut this past Wednesday when he submitted John Phillips in one of the most dominant UFC debuts we have ever seen. From the opening bell of the first round until the round was over, Chimaev beat down Phillips so badly that one judge even scored the round 10-7 in his favor. In the second round, Chimaev locked up a D’arce choke to defeat Phillips and earn himself a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night.”
VIDEO | Pat Miletich loses split decision to Michael Nunn in kickboxing bout with live crowd
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Pat Miletich lost a split decision to Michael Nunn in a kickboxing bout that took place on Saturday in Davenport, Iowa. Miletich, the first-ever UFC welterweight champion, retired from MMA in 2008 after a knockout win over Thomas Denny, and for the last 12 years, he has stayed in the game primarily as a commentator. But the desire to compete was always still there for Miletich, and he wanted to step into the ring one more time. His long time promoter Monte Cox liked the idea and booked Miletich against Nunn in a straight kickboxing match.
A look back at the astonishing career of UFC champion Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones turned 33 years old on Sunday, so it’s the perfect time to go back and take a look at his astonishing MMA career. Tomorrow I turn 33!
Deiveson Figueiredo warns Demetrious Johnson against making a return to the UFC
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
New UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo warned former long-time flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson about making a return to the UFC. Figueiredo won the vacant flyweight belt when he dominated Joseph Benavidez in the main event of UFC Fight Island 2. After knocking Benavidez down three times and then nearly finishing the fight three times with rear-naked chokes, he finally was able to get the RNC late in the first when he choked Benavidez out cold in an incredible title-winning victory.
Photo | Former UFC champ Chris Weidman appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of middleweight return
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his middleweight return against Omari Akhmedov. Weidman takes on Akhmedov on August 8 at a UFC event that is set for the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Weidman was originally set to take on Jack Hermansson at UFC Oklahoma City in May, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. Weidman instead will now take on Akhmedov in what is essentially a must-win fight this August.
Conor McGregor lights massive joint while responding to Football Star Sergio Ramos
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
Retired UFC superstar Conor McGregor lit up a massive joint in an Instagram Live video while responding to football star Sergio Ramos. McGregor was responding to a post that Ramos tagged him on via Instagram, and he showed what he’s been up to during his retirement. In the video, McGregor lights up a massive joint while relaxing on a pool chair. Take a look at the video below.
Photo | Darren Till is looking absolutely shredded ahead of middleweight showdown with Robert Whittaker
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till is looking absolutely shredded in anticipation of his fight against Robert Whittaker next Saturday on Fight Island. Till and Whittaker meet in the main event of the fourth overall Fight Island card. For these two middleweight contenders, this is a super important fight in the 185lbs division. The winner of this bout could very well earn a title shot against the winner of UFC 253’s Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa middleweight title fight that was just announced.
UFC Fight Island 2 bonuses: Ariane Lipski takes home $50k for her incredible kneebar submission
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
The bonus awards have been handed out for UFC Fight Island 2, and Ariane Lipski won $50,000 for her incredible kneebar submission win over Luana Carolina. The women’s flyweight contender Lipski was one of four fighters who earned the coveted $50,000 bonuses following the event. In addition to Lipski, new UFC men’s flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo won a bonus for his insane first-round stoppage win over Joseph Benavidez. As well, lightweights Rafael Fiziev and Marc Diakiese won $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” for their incredible striking battle on the main card.
Joseph Benavidez issues statement following loss to Deiveson Figueiredo: "I'm not going out like that"
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Joseph Benavidez received another shot at UFC gold when he squared off with Deiveson Figueiredo in tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 headliner. The bout marked Benavidez’s fourth career shot at UFC flyweight gold, this after coming up short in his three previous attempts to Demetrious Johnson (x2) and the aforementioned Figueiredo.
Kelvin Gastelum issues statement following submission loss to Jack Hermansson
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Kelvin Gastelum was looking to snap a two-fight losing skid when he squared off with Jack Hermansson in the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event. Unfortunately for The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 winner, things did not go as planned in his bout with ‘The Joker’ this evening. After Hermansson shot in for a takedown, Gastelum was able to hit a beautiful reversal that put the powerful Swede on his back. However, Hermansson quickly rolled for a heel hook submission and was able to secure the hold. After a quick crank, Kelvin Gastelum had no choice but to tapout.
Henry Cejudo reacts to Deiveson Figueiredo's submission victory over Joseph Benavidez
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo was clearly watching tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. Figueiredo and Benavidez were squaring off for a second time, this after their first encounter for the promotions vacant flyweight title had ended in somewhat controversial fashion. In their first meeting, the flyweights appeared to clash heads which opened up a cut on the head of ‘Joe-Jitsu’ and shortly after the Brazilian in Figueiredo was able to finish the fight.
Pros react to Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 2 at UFC Fight Island
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez once again squared off for the promotions vacant flyweight title at tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event. The flyweight standouts, Figueiredo and Benavidez, had first met at February’s event in Virginia, with the Brazilian emerging victorious by way of TKO shortly following an accidental headbutt.
Pros react to Jack Hermansson defeating Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Island 2
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 co-main event featured a key middleweight bout between perennial division contenders Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermansson. Gastelum (15-5 MMA) was looking to snap a two-fight losing skid when he squared off with ‘The Joker’ this evening. In his most previous effort at November’s UFC 244 event, ‘KG’ wound up on the wrong end of a split-decision against Darren Till.
UFC Fight Island 2 Results: Jack Hermansson stops Kelvin Gastelum in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
The co-main event of UFC Fight Island 2 features a key middleweight bout between perennial division contenders Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermansson. Gastelum (15-5 MMA) will be looking to snap a two-fight losing skid when he battles ‘The Joker’ this evening. In his most recent effort at November’s UFC 244 event, Kelvin wound up on the wrong end of a split-decision against former welterweight title challenger Darren Till.
Joseph Duffy announces retirement following submission loss at UFC Fight Island
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Joseph Duffy announced his retirement from fighting shortly following his submission loss to Joel Alvarez at tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event. Duffy (16-5 MMA) squared off with Alvarez (17-2 MMA) on the preliminary card of this evenings event on Yas Island. The result was a quick submission victory for the Spanish fighter, this after he locked up a guillotine choke while ‘Irish Joe’ was shooting in for a takedown attempt (see that here).
Paulo Costa reacts after securing title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 253
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Paulo Costa will get his first opportunity to fight for UFC gold when he squares off with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Following an initial report from Combate, BJPENN.com confirmed with sources that Costa will in fact square off with Adesanya at the September 19 pay-per-view event.
UFC Fight Island 2: 'Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
The Octagon remains on Yas Island for tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by a rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. The flyweight standouts, Figueiredo and Benavidez, will once again collide for the promotions vacant 125lbs title this evening.
Ben Askren names the one dream opponent he wanted to fight outside his weight class
Adam Martin - July 17, 2020
Former UFC welterweight star Ben Askren named Khabib Nurmagomedov as the one dream opponent he wanted outside of his normal weight class of 170lbs. Askren retired from MMA last year after compiling a 19-2, 1 NC record from 2009 to 2019. A former champion in Bellator and ONE Championship, Askren joined the UFC in a game-breaking trade for pound-for-pound great Demetrious Johnson in 2018. The journey to the UFC didn’t go as planned for Askren, who suffered back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia before deciding to hang up his gloves at age 34. He cited the need for a hip replacement as one of the reasons why he decided to retire.