MMA News
After conquering depression, Tyron Woodley plans on “coming out swinging” against Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Tyron Woodley has opened up on his battle with depression ahead of his fight against Gilbert Burns this weekend. Woodley and Burns are set to square off this Saturday night, but prior to that, Woodley has taken the time to reflect on the journey he’s been on to get him back to this point.
Report | UFC, Reebok could soon "part ways"
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Speaking to Dan LeBatard this morning, UFC President Dana White divulged that the promotion’s controversial outfitting deal with Reebok could soon come to an end. The UFC’s partnership with Reebok began in 2015, and was immediately the subject of much debate, as many fans, pundits and fighters felt to little money was ending up in the pockets of the fighters.
Dana White explains why he trademarked John Oliver's "UFSEA" phrase
Adam Martin - May 29, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why his organization recently trademarked late-night television host John Oliver’s “UFSEA” phrase. While speaking about the UFC Fight Island on a recent episode of his show, Oliver suggested several comical nicknames for it, including Brawlhamas and UFSEA. It seems like the UFSEA phrase is something White and the other UFC executives liked, and it was revealed earlier this week the UFC had filed trademarks to use the UFSEA phrase for its mixed martial arts events and also on clothing.
Dana White doubles down, says Jon Jones asked for "obscene" sum for Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Dana White isn’t backing down on his claim that Jon Jones overreached in the negotiations for a potential fight with Francis Ngannou. A heavyweight scrap between Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champ, and Ngannou, the heavyweight division’s top contender, was dominating the headlines earlier this month. Regrettably, the negotiations for the bout fizzled out. According to White, that’s because Jones asked for an “absurd” amount of money.
Mackenzie Dern explains how training error played part in first MMA loss
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
This Saturday, at UFC on ESPN 9, Mackenzie Dern will take on Hannah Cifers in an effort to rebound from her first pro MMA loss: a late 2019 decision defeat at the hands of Amanda Ribas. Ahead of this fight with Cifers, Dern looked back on her loss to Ribas, acknowledging that she made an error in her preparation for the fight.
Justin Gaethje targets three more matchups, then keen to "get the f**k out of here"
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje only has three names left on his hit-list: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Dustin Poirier. After those fights, he’s prepared to hang up the gloves. Gaethje is expected to get the next crack at undefeated UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. It’s an opportunity he relishes.
Eddie Hearn willing to co-promote with Dana White, open to Francis Ngannou vs. Dillian Whyte fight
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Eddie Hearn is open to a potential heavyweight showdown between boxer Dillian Whyte and UFC star Francis Ngannou. In fact, he’s interested in working with Dana White to promote an entire MMA vs. boxing crossover fight card. Hearn was asked about a potential Ngannou vs. Whyte fight during a recent Instagram live Q&A with fans.
Chael Sonnen rips Jon Jones after "Bones" accuses Dana White of lying about his demands
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2020
Chael Sonnen has continued his ongoing war of words with former rival Jon Jones after the recent talks of a Francis Ngannou fight went south. It’s not exactly a secret that Sonnen and Jones don’t really like each other, and while “Bones” was able to get the better of “The Bad Guy” when they fought for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, it doesn’t really feel like that’s the point.
Ali Abdelaziz suggests that MMA media journalists are “the weakest people on earth”
Natasha Hooper - May 29, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has labeled the MMA media as the “weakest people on earth”. The Dominance MMA boss—responsible for athletes such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justing Gaethje—has called out the entire MMA media industry. He claimed MMA journalists are “weak” in contrast to the tough sport of mixed martial arts.
Dana White has not spoken to Conor McGregor but has some advice for the Irishman
Christopher Taylor - May 28, 2020
UFC President Dana White has chimed in after former two-division champion Conor McGregor recently “accepted” a fight with Anderson Silva. Following McGregor’s recent Twitter rants regarding who is the current GOAT of MMA, the Irishman received a challenge from former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Colby Covington trashes former ATT teammates Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal
Chris Taylor - May 28, 2020
Colby Covington recently announced his departure from American Top Team and has now proceeded to unload on a number of his previous teammates. Shortly after his name was removed from ATT’s official website, Covington revealed to The Score MMA that he was no longer a member of the gym.
Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade 2 targeted for UFC 251
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade will be running it back. According to Combate, the UFC is in negotiations with Namajunas and Andrade to have the rematch take place on July 11 at UFC 251.
Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker headlines July 25 UFC Fight Island event
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
A middleweight bout between top contenders Darren Till and Robert Whittaker will headline a UFC Fight Island event on July 25. Combate first reported the Till vs. Whittaker bout for the UFC Fight Island event. The pair were originally supposed to meet at a UFC Dublin event in August, but that card like every other UFC card was compromised by the coronavirus pandemic. The pair will now fight a few weeks earlier on UFC Fight Island instead. Although no title will be on the line, the bout is scheduled for five rounds since it’s the main event.
Opinion: Conor McGregor vs. Kamaru Usman or Anderson Silva would be disastrous bookings
Jordy McElroy - May 28, 2020
The UFC welterweight division has officially turned into the Wild, Wild West—a sultry, convoluted mess of a weight class with a handful of potential No. 1 contenders. Even former two-division champion Conor McGregor has somehow crept his way into the conversation of challengers to the Kamaru Usman throne. Apparently, that’s what happens when your milkshake brings all of the pay-per-view buyers to the yard.
Brian Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie to be re-booked, says Dana White
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion is looking to re-book a featherweight bout between contenders Brian Ortega and The Korean Zombie. Ortega was set to fight The Korean Zombie at UFC Busan last December, but “T-City” withdrew with an injury. The UFC called upon Frankie Edgar to fill in on short notice, and The Korean Zombie ended up scoring a vicious first-round TKO over for the former UFC lightweight champion for the biggest win of his career, setting him up nicely at 145lbs.
Dana White explains why Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou won’t happen right now
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Jon Jones is not going to fight Francis Ngannou anytime soon according to UFC President Dana White. Ever since Ngannou knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249, Jones has been on social media expressing his interest in a superfight with ‘The Predator’.
Justin Gaethje and Cody Garbrandt share stories about the generosity of manager Ali Abdelaziz
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt each shared stories about the generosity of Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz manages Gaethje and Garbrandt, not to mention star MMA fighters such as the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, the legend Frankie Edgar, and the recently-retired Henry Cejudo. Although Abdelaziz has often been outspoken and somewhat controversial, his fighters always say the same thing, and that’s that he’s one of the top manages in the game.
Anderson Silva opens as betting favorite against Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Anderson Silva has opened as the betting favorite over Conor McGregor in a potential fight. On Wednesday night, Silva took to Instagram to challenge McGregor to superfight. Immediately, it caught the attention of the combat sports world, and the Irishman even accepted the challenge.