MMA News
Frankie Edgar named as frontrunner to replace Ortega against 'Korean Zombie'
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar could be looking at a busy few weeks. Last night, we were hit with the unfortunate news that recent featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega has been forced out of his fan-friendly showdown with “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, which was tapped to headline the UFC’s debut in Busan, South Korea on December 21.
Benson Henderson issues statement following removal from Bellator Japan
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019
Bellator lightweight contender Benson Henderson has issued a statement after he was pulled from the upcoming card Bellator Japan card due to injury. Henderson was set to go head to head with Michael Chandler for a second time at Bellator Japan in a rematch from their Bellator 165 encounter in November 2016. Chandler won that fight via split decision, retaining his Bellator Lightweight Championship in the process.
Benson Henderson out, Michael Chandler receives new opponent for Bellator Japan
Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019
The anticipated rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson will have to be put on hold as Henderson is out of their scheduled Bellator Japan bout. Henderson has suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from the Bellator Japan card.
Brian Ortega issues statement after being forced out of Korean Zombie fight
Christopher Taylor - December 4, 2019
Earlier this evening unfortunate news broke that Brian Ortega has been forced out this month’s UFC Busan main event against ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was first to report the disappointing news citing an undisclosed injury had forced ‘T-City’ out of the highly anticipated featherweight matchup.
Breaking! Brian Ortega out of UFC Busan main event against The Korean Zombie
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Brian Ortega’s long-awaited return to the Octagon will have to wait. Ortega, who has not fought since losing to Max Holloway at UFC 231 last December, was scheduled to fight Chan Sung Jung aka The Korean Zombie at UFC Busan on Dec. 21. But, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ortega has been forced to pull out of the scrap due to an undisclosed injury.
VIDEO: "Salt Bae" says he wants fights with Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
The last few months have seen a multitude of media personalities take up MMA. Now “Salt Bae” is joining the likes of Logan Paul and Wiz Khalifa by trying his hand at combat sport. The 36-year old known as Nusret Gökçe, shot to fame after a video went viral of him sprinkling salt (with swag) over some meat. The clip amassed millions of views and propelled the Turkish chef to a new level of salt sprinkling stardom.
Israel Adesanya suggests a fight with Paulo Costa would be similar to McGregor-Aldo
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Israel Adesanya says a potential bout with Paulo Costa would be similar to Conor McGregor’s fight against Jose Aldo. Of course, in that fight, the Irishman knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds with the first punch he threw. He also trash-talked the Brazilian leading up to the fight and many believe McGregor was in Aldo’s head.
Diego Sanchez signs new deal with UFC, fights Michel Pereira in New Mexico
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Long-time UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has re-signed a new contract with the world’s leading MMA promotion after briefly testing free agency. The UFC announced Wednesday that Sanchez has signed a new deal with the company and he will take on showman Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 167. The event takes place on February 15 at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier, Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov targeted by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
The UFC has targeted an intriguing middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as well as an exciting light heavyweight matchup between Johnny Walker and Nikita Krylov. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani revealed the news on his Twitter.
Yana Kunitskaya says Aspen Ladd's last fight proved she is beatable
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Yana Kunitskaya is looking to put Aspen Ladd on losing streak for the first time in her career. On the main card of the UFC’s imminent return to Washington D.C., Ladd is returning after the quick 16-second knockout loss to Germaine de Randamie in July. Kunitskaya believes that fight proved Ladd is beatable and she is confident she will make it two losses in a row.
Jose Aldo explains why Volkanovski loss 'hurt a lot more' than McGregor KO
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has only experienced a handful of losses over the course of his legendary career. Not all of those losses stung the same. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 245 battle with Marlon Moraes, which will mark his bantamweight debut, Aldo divulged that his early 2019 decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski, which occurred in his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “hurt a lot more” than his infamous, 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor in 2015.
Michael Bisping believes Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson will do 'huge numbers'
Fernando Quiles - December 4, 2019
Michael Bisping sees Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson pulling in big pay-per-view numbers for the UFC. Nurmagomedov is scheduled to put his UFC lightweight title on the line against Ferguson on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY. Fight fans are crossing their fingers as this matchup has been booked several times in the past but to no avail. Injuries and illnesses on both sides have prevented the bout from happening.
Gray Maynard released by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard has been released by the UFC after spending over 12 years with the promotion. MMAjunkie.com first reported that Maynard and the UFC had parted ways.
Jose Aldo gives weight update ahead of bantamweight debut
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
At UFC 245, which will go down on December 14 in Las Vegas, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will debut in the bantamweight division against a fellow Brazilian in Marlon Moraes. Given that Aldo was always a pretty big featherweight — and that he’s struggled to make the featherweight limit of 145 pounds previously — many fans are worried he’ll struggle to make the 136-pound limit for his bantamweight fight with Moraes. Some fans flatly believe he’ll fail to hit that mark.
Chael Sonnen lists potential welterweight opponents for Conor McGregor in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Conor McGregor has stated that he intends to fight three times in the year 2020. Chael Sonnen believes the Irish MMA star will make good on this plan. “Conor McGregor’s come out and said he wants to fight three times in 2020,” Sonnen said on his podcast. “If Conor McGregor has proved that he’s anything — anything — he’s a man of his word.
Jorge Masvidal to make MMA commentary debut at Combate Hidalgo
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal will make his mixed martial arts commentary debut this Saturday at Combate: Hidalgo. The main event of Combate: Hidalgo features former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz against rival Alberto Del Rio. Masvidal is set to commentate the fight alongside play-by-play commentator Max Bretos and UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena. The event takes place this Saturday night at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. It’s by far the biggest event in the history of Combate Americas and airs live on pay-per-view.
Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor that fought Alvarez was possibly 'greatest talent that I've ever seen'
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Chael Sonnen has always held Conor McGregor in high regard. Yet Sonnen’s latest comments about McGregor show just how impressed he has been with the Irishman over the years. He says McGregor’s 2016 knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez was perhaps the greatest fighting talent he’s ever witnessed.
Justin Gaethje: Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone fight is a 'freak show'
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Justin Gaethje was one of several fighters hoping to welcome former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor back to the Octagon. Unfortunately for him, that lucrative and high-profile opportunity went to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone — a man Gaethje defeated in August. Unsurprisingly, Gaethje is not particularly pleased with the way things have shaken out. Currently without an opponent, but eager to stake his claim to a title shot, he sounded off on this McGregor vs. Cerrone matchup during an appearance on MMA on SiriusXM.