MMA News
Valentina Shevchenko booked for title defense opposite Katlyn Chookagian
Tom Taylor - November 21, 2019
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is set to defend her title against top contender Katlyn Chookagian, according to a new report from Nolan King of MMA Junkie. The fight will reportedly occur at a February 8 pay-per-view card — most likely UFC 247 —in Houston, Texas.
VIDEO | James Gallagher, Mike Kimbel nearly brawl ahead of Bellator London
Tom Taylor - November 21, 2019
Chaos briefly broke loose ahead of Saturday’s Bellator London card, as rising bantamweight stars James Gallagher and Mike Kimbel nearly brawled backstage on media day. Luckily, the pair were separated by others nearby — including Bellator welterweight star Michael “Venom” Page, who battles short-notice replacement Gianni Melillo in the Bellator London main event.
Multiple fights booked for January’s UFC Raleigh card
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2019
More fights have been announced for the upcoming UFC Raleigh card on January 25. The show will take place at RNC Arena with a number of bouts already being set in stone by the UFC, including Curtis Blaydes vs Junior dos Santos and Frankie Edgar vs Cory Sandhagen, with the former being touted as the main event.
Leon Edwards waiting on Tyron Woodley to sign contract
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
The manager for UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says the UFC has offered his client a fight against Tyron Woodley and he is just waiting on ‘T-Wood’ to sign the contract. The manager for Edwards spoke to veteran MMA journalist Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com and told him that they have been speaking to the UFC for three months about a potential date with Woodley. At this point, Edwards has accepted the matchup, and he is just waiting for Woodley to accept it.
Khabib Nurmagomedov rejects Conor McGregor's rematch request: 'We don't pay attention to idiots'
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Ever since Conor McGregor lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 he has been clamoring for a rematch. Yet, if it is up to the Dagestani champion, the Irishman won’t be getting one, ever. Nurmagomedov has come out and said McGregor needs 10 wins before he gets a rematch. But, when asked about a fight in Moscow, the champion shut it down and believes the Irishman doesn’t even want the fight.
Randy Couture gives health update after heart attack scare
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
A month after suffering a heart attack, UFC legend Randy Couture has provided a positive update about his current condition. The MMA world was left in shock almost exactly one month ago when TMZ reported that Couture had suffered a heart attack while working out in his native Los Angeles. After going home and continuing to feel chest pain, the UFC legend proceeded to walk himself to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a heart attack and treated. He later attributed the heart attack to having thicker blood than the average human being.
Tito Ortiz teases potential Combate America fight with Cain Velasquez
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
On December 7, former UFC lightweight heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz will collide with former WWE superstar Alberto El Patron. The pair’s fight will headline the biggest Combate Americas card to date. Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri of Bloody Elbow ahead of this fight, Ortiz divulged that he has signed a three-fight deal with Combate Americas, and that their are likely more big fights coming for him.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg skeptical 'Iranian Hulk' will do well in BKFC
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
During the broadcast of last weekend’s BKFC 9 card, it was announced that the “Iranian Hulk” Sajad Gharibi has joined the bare knuckle promotion’s roster. Gharibi, who allegedly weighs almost 400lbs, is expected to make his debut in 2020.
Jan Blachowicz responds to Jon Jones snub
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
Jan Blachowicz, fresh off a split decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the UFC Sao Paulo main event, wants a crack at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The Polish light heavyweight contender has been calling for this opportunity ever since his win over Jacare was announced.
UFC Moscow medical suspensions: Greg Hardy facing prolonged sit
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
Greg Hardy has been incredibly busy in 2019, fighting five times since his UFC debut in January. From the sounds of it, though, his momentum will slow after his short-notice UFC Moscow loss to Alexander Volkov. Because the UFC Moscow card occurred outside the jurisdiction of an Athletic Commission, the UFC handled medical suspensions internally.
Dillon Danis targeted for next fight at Bellator Los Angeles
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
According to a new report, Bellator star Dillon Danis is likely to take on Ian Butler at the Bellator Los Angeles event in January. Amy Kaplan of FanSided reported Tuesday that Danis is being targeted for the fight against Butler at Bellator LA, which takes place January 25, 2020, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The main event of the card will see Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd put her title on the line when she takes on former UFC and Strikeforce champion Cris Cyborg.
Luke Rockhold is 'happy not fighting'
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold isn’t officially retiring, but after a string of tough losses, including a knockout at the hands of Jan Blachowicz in his last fight, he says he’s happy to be focusing on other things. “My head is content where I’m at right now,” Rockhold told MMA Fighting. “I’ve done a lot of things in the sport. I’m not trying to be a headline maker. I’m not trying to say I’m going to retire and then want to come back. I don’t like to close doors on things in life.
Jason Knight open to Artem Lobov trilogy but also wants to shut up Johnny Bedford
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Jason Knight is now 1-1 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as he TKO’d Artem Lobov at BKFC 9 over the weekend. It was a very good performance for Knight, who predicted he would finish Lobov. But he believes, had he not hurt his hand, the knockout would have come a lot sooner.
Anthony Smith explains what Corey Anderson must do to get UFC title shot
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith has taken the time to explain what he believes divisional rival Corey Anderson must do in order to earn a title shot against Jon Jones. Anderson recently made headlines with a stunning TKO win over rising star Johnny Walker, before going on a tirade regarding how he feels he has been treated by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Ultimate Fighter seems happy to sit and wait for his title shot, which isn’t something that Smith can understand.
Jon Jones responds to Jan Blachowicz’s request for a title shot
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2019
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has responded to Jan Blachowicz’s desire for a shot at the title. Blachowicz is coming off the back of a split decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC Sao Paulo this past weekend, although the nature of his victory didn’t exactly do much to increase his stock within the division. While the Polish star has managed to win six of his last seven, with the only loss coming at the hands of Thiago Santos, he could’ve easily come out on the wrong end of the decision against Souza.
Conor McGregor donates $1 million of Proper No. 12 whiskey profits to first responders
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
Conor McGregor’s Proper No. 12 whiskey has been a huge success, and the UFC superstar is giving back, donating $1 million to first responders. McGregor took to Instagram to announce that due to the incredible sales for his Irish whiskey, he will donate over seven figures to the first responders who help keep the rest of us safe from harm. Check out what McGregor said.
Chris Weidman praises Ben Askren, calls him 'huge inspiration' for MMA career
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman had high praise for Ben Askren, calling him a “huge inspiration” For his MMA career. Askren announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Monday following back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. Askren said that the losses played a factor in his decision to retire, but ultimately it was injuries that caught up to him and he needs to have hip replacement surgery, which led to him hanging up his gloves.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg eager for more fights, bigger opportunities in BKFC ring
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
When Isaac Vallie-Flagg walloped his fellow UFC veteran — and former roommate — Melvin Guillard to a stoppage win at BKFC 7 in August, he improved to 3-0 as a bare knuckle fighter. To long-time fans of MMA or boxing, that record might not seem like much, but in a sport as new as North American bare knuckle fighting, it’s about as impressive as it gets. In the brief period that bare knuckle fighting has been legal on this side of the world, very few people have had as much success as Vallie-Flagg.