MMA News
ONE Championship announces 10 events, starting on July 31
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
ONE Championship is set to return from its coronavirus-related hiatus with a procession of 10 events, starting on July 31. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the organization’s comeback plans on Facebook on Monday morning.
Dan Hooker says his “whole approach needs to change” following loss to Dustin Poirier
Harry Kettle - July 13, 2020
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has admitted that he needs to change things up in a big way following his recent loss to Dustin Poirier. Back at the end of June, “Hangman” went to war with “The Diamond” in what many believe to be the male Fight of the Year thus far. Despite a spirited effort from the New Zealand native, Poirier was able to get the job done and score a huge unanimous decision victory to vault himself right back into title contention.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN 13: Kattar vs. Ige
Adam Martin - July 13, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for this Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 13 card, featuring a main event between featherweights Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige. The five-round main event between two of the best 145lbers in the world sees Kattar look to build on his momentum following a massive KO win over Jeremy Stephens in his last outing, while Ige puts his six-fight win streak on the line. The winner of this fight at UFC on ESPN 13 will no doubt put themself in a great position in the UFC featherweight division.
Jorge Masvidal shares scorecard for Volkanovski vs. Holloway rematch
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has shared his thoughts on the UFC 251 co-main event, a featherweight title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Holloway and Volkanovski first fought in December of 2019. On that night, Volkanovski swiped the title from Holloway with a unanimous decision win. In the co-main event of last Saturday’s UFC 251 card, the pair ran it back. Volkanovski ended up winning by decision again, but this time around, the result generated widespread controversy, as many viewers felt Holloway did enough to win.
Jorge Masvidal suggests he could beat Usman with 15 days to prepare
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
Jorge Masvidal believes he could beat UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman if he had 15 days to prepare for the challenge. Masvidal challenged Usman for the belt in the main event of UFC 251 last Saturday, and ultimately lost a unanimous decision. That being said, Masvidal accepted the fight on just six days’ notice, replacing Gilbert Burns, and performed remarkably well under those circumstances.
Manager Malki Kawa accuses Daniel Cormier of biased UFC commentary
Natasha Hooper - July 13, 2020
MMA Manager Malki Kawa, who represents stars like Jon Jones and Jorge Masvial, has accused Daniel Cormier of being a biased UFC commentator. Daniel Cormier, the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champ, has spent the last few years working in commentary. Industry staples including Joe Rogan have celebrated Cormier’s commentary abilities. Similarly to Michael Bisping and Paul Felder, Cormier is respected for the smooth transition he made from competing to broadcasting.
Jorge Masvidal discusses possible fights with Colby Covington, Leon Edwards
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
Jorge Masvidal isn’t interested in fighting his former American Top Team teammate Colby Covington in his next Octagon appearance. Masvidal got his first crack at UFC gold over the weekend, challenging Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. He accepted the fight on just six days’ notice, replacing Usman’s originally scheduled foe Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Max Holloway responds after reporters allegedly receive threats over scores for his fight
Tom Taylor - July 13, 2020
Max Holloway has jumped to the defense of members of the MMA media who have allegedly received threats over the way they scored his rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway and Volkanovski first fought in December of 2019. On that night, Volkanovski swiped the title from Holloway with a unanimous decision win. In the co-main event of last Saturday’s UFC 251 card, the pair ran it back. Volkanovski ended up winning by decision again, but this time around, the result generated widespread controversy, as many viewers felt Holloway did enough to win.
John McCarthy explains why UFC could remove Mark Collett from Fight Island after poor judging performance
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
Long-time MMA official Big John McCarthy explained why the UFC could remove judge Mark Collett from Fight Island after a poor judging performance at UFC 251. Collett is one of the judges the UFC hired to work the Fight Island series. However, he had a very questionable night of judging that has been criticized by fans, media, and fighters. According to McCarthy on Twitter, Collett’s performance on the scorecards at UFC 251 was questionable enough that the UFC could potentially remove Collett from his role as judge.
Video | Watch Joe Rogan's live reaction to Petr Yan's TKO victory over Jose Aldo
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Like many fight fans, UFC commentator Joe Rogan was disgusted to watch Petr Yan deliver unnecessary punishment to Jose Aldo at UFC 251. Although it was no fault of the newly crowned Russian champion in Yan, the referee allowed Petr to tee off on a seemingly helpless Aldo for almost two minutes before finally stepping in to stop the contest.
Volkan Oezdemir issues statement after suffering first KO loss of his career to Jiri Prochazka
Chris Taylor - July 12, 2020
Volkan Oezdemir welcomed former RIZIN light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka to the Octagon at last night’s UFC 251 event. The highly anticipated light heavyweight bout served as the featured prelim of last night’s event on Fight Island.
Conor McGregor rips Nate Diaz for suggesting Max Holloway was robbed at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor was not happy with Nate Diaz proclaiming that Max Holloway was “robbed” at UFC 251. Holloway squared off with Alex Volkanovski in last night’s co-headliner, serving as a rematch from their initial confrontation at UFC 245.
Nate Diaz says Max Holloway "was robbed" against Alex Volkanovski
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz says that Max Holloway “was robbed” by the judges in his loss to Alex Volkanovski in the co-main event of UFC 251. Volkanovski won a controversial split decision over Holloway to retain the UFC featherweight championship with scores of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47. Many fans, media, and fellow fighters thought that Volkanovski had done enough to win the fight, not to mention UFC president Dana White, but two of the three people that truly matter when it comes to handing down the decision believed that Volkanovski deserved the win.
Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns trade shots at each other over who should get the next title shot
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC welterweight contenders Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns traded shots at each other on social media over who should get the next title shot at 170lbs. In March, Edwards was set to fight Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC London but the card was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the UFC booked Gilbert Burns against Woodley in Las Vegas, and Burns ended up dominating the former champ by unanimous decision to become the No. 1 contender at 170lbs. Burns was then set to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251, but tested positive for COVID-19, which allowed Jorge Masvidal to slip in and fight for the belt. Usman ended up beating Masvidal by decision.
Jose Aldo issues statement following TKO loss to Petr Yan at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Jose Aldo squared off with Petr Yan for the UFC’s vacant bantamweight title on the main card of last night’s UFC 251 event from Fight Island. The result was a thrilling scrap which saw both men have their respective moments. However, Yan was able to turn the tide in his favor in the later rounds and ultimately scored a TKO finish after landing a plethora of ground and pound on the Brazilian.
UFC 251 bonuses: Jiri Prochazka earns $50k for incredible KO win over Volkan Oezdemir
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
Light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka was among the four fighters who earned $50,000 bonus awards for their performances at UFC 251. The UFC announced the bonus awards following the event. The UFC handed out two “Performance of the Night” bonuses to Prochazka and bantamweight Davey Grant, while “Fight of the Night” went to former women’s strawweight champions Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade for their exciting rematch on the main card.
The Korean Zombie vows to finish “shameful” featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski following UFC 251
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
The Korean Zombie vowed to finish a “shameful” Alex Volkanovski after he won a controversial split decision over Max Holloway at UFC 251. Volkanovski won a split decision over Holloway to keep the UFC featherweight title, but it was a razor-thin fight that many thought he should have lost. Ultimately, the judges sided with Volkanovski, giving him the belt back with 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 scorecards, though many fans, media, and even UFC president Dana White disagreed with the scores.
Did Joanna Jedrzejczyk just retire from mixed martial arts?
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk posted a cryptic message on social media today insinuating that she has retired. The Polish star, Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA), took to Instagram with the following post that containted the caption “33 and retired”.