MMA News

Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, UFC 250, UFC rankings
UFC

Aljamain Sterling calls for interim bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan

Adam Martin - August 26, 2019

Knowing that UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo will be out of action for a while, top-ranked contender Aljamain Sterling is now eyeing a fight with Petr Yan for an interim belt. “The Funkmaster” spoke to Damon Martin at MMAFighting.com and said that with Cejudo likely fighting Joseph Benavidez for the UFC flyweight belt next, he doesn’t want to sit and wait around for him. That’s why he is targeting a fight against one of the division’s hottest fighters in Yan, and he wants an interim title on the line.

Darren Till, Kelvin Gastelum, UFC 244
Kelvin Gastelum

Darren Till set for middleweight debut opposite Kelvin Gastelum

Thomas Taylor - August 26, 2019

Darren Till is moving up to middleweight. According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the former welterweight title challenger will make his middleweight debut opposite a fellow former welterweight in Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244. The card goes down on November 2 inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden.

Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, UFC 232
Jon Jones

Jon Jones sends warm message after Daniel Cormier loses father to cancer

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

Late last week, former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier announced the tragic passing of his father. “Today I lost my hero to cancer, my father was the bravest, strongest, hardest working and most caring person I’ve ever known. Always the life of the party and made everyone he ever came in contact with feel good. I never could have imagined we would be going through this right now. All the lessons I wanna try and pass along I learned from my dad. You know its about the legacy we leave behind and my dads legacy will be one of just a great person, loving husband and father and friend to everyone.” Daniel Cormier wrote on Instagram. “If you’ve ever met Percy Benoit you’re better for it. We were able to see some amazing things pops and I hope you enjoyed the ride, I only wanted to make you proud. I love you pop, you were the strength of this family, now you get to rest. No more pain. Love you Dad #rip #cancersucks” – Daniel Cormier on Instagram.

Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz

Brendan Schaub says fans relate to Nate Diaz being 'screwed over' by UFC

Fernando Quiles - August 26, 2019

Brendan Schaub has a theory for one of the reasons why fans gravitate towards Nate Diaz. Diaz has fight fans excited for a potential showdown with Jorge Masvidal. The Stockton native called out “Gamebred” after defeating Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. For many, UFC 241 solidified Diaz’s status as a true draw even without his rival Conor McGregor.

Paige VanZant
UFC

Paige VanZant shares reasons for free agency plans

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

Paige VanZant has one fight left on her current UFC contract, and when that’s wrapped up, she plans on testing her value as a free agent. Speaking to Robin Black of DAZN ahead of last weekend’s Bellator 225 card VanZant divulged that her interest in free agency is due in part to a desire to fight on a card alongside her husband, Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford.

Darren Till
UFC

Darren Till still unsure of division for next fight

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

Darren Till has a decision to make. The long-time UFC welterweight contender has recently been hinting at a move up to the middleweight division, where he would endure a less taxing weight cut. That being said, he seems a little reluctant to leave the welterweight division he’s called home for so long.

Juan Espino
The Ultimate Fighter

TUF 28 winner Juan Espino explains absence, gives timeframe for return

Cole Shelton - August 26, 2019

If you watched The Ultimate Fighter 28 you would know the two winners were Juan Espino and Macy Chiasson. Since winning it, Chiasson has fought twice and has her third fight booked. Juan Espino, meanwhile, has still yet to fight. He beat Justin Frazier at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November of 2018 and has been out of action since. There has been no news on when he will fight, and no details on whether he was hurt or on what was keeping him out of the Octagon.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping says Conor McGregor would be 'B-side' in Nate Diaz trilogy bout

Fernando Quiles - August 26, 2019

Michael Bisping believes Nate Diaz has surpassed Conor McGregor in terms of popularity in the fight game. Since his August 2016 rematch against McGregor, Diaz has been disputing the notion that he can’t draw outside of sharing the Octagon with McGregor. He’s been at odds with UFC president Dana White, who once claimed that Diaz isn’t a “needle mover.” Diaz changed those opinions at the conclusion of UFC 241. The event broke a live gate record for MMA cards in the state of California.

Dillon Danis, Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor

Dillon Danis targets Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

The beef between Team Conor McGregor and Team Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly alive and well. Nearly a year removed from McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s October, 2018 fight, which the latter won by submission, members of their respective entourages are still trading shots. The latest to do so is McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis, who called for a fight with Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev on Twitter. one day this fight needs to happen 🖕🏻 pic.twitter.com/NhYKvibBLN

Chael Sonnen, Nick Newell
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen praises 'stud' Nick Newell following Bellator 225

Mike Heck - August 26, 2019

Nick Newell made his Bellator MMA debut on Saturday and finished the fight quickly in front of his home crowd at Bellator 225. Newell hopes the win will lead to a long-term deal with the promotion, and if Chael Sonnen has anything to say about it, that may just be what happens. “Notorious” took on gritty Tennessee fighter Corey Browning on the featured preliminary bout at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. After a brief exchange on the feet, Newell took Browning down and patiently improved his position on the ground, leading to an arm triangle choke submission victory.

Ben Askren, UFC Singapore
UFC

Multiple bouts made official for UFC Singapore

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

Multiple bouts have been made official for the upcoming UFC Singapore card, scheduled for October 26 in “The Lion City.” The most notable bout to be made official for the card is the main event, which will pit BJJ ace Demian Maia against wrestling savant Ben Askren in a crucial welterweight showdown. At a glance, this matchup between a Brazilian and an American might seem like a strange choice for the UFC Singapore main event, but Askren was the long-time welterweight champion for Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. He also trained and taught at the Singapore gym Evolve MMA, so he figures to be welcomed back as a hometown hero.

Demetrious Johnson, ONE Championship
ONE Championship

ONE Championship releases stacked lineup for ONE: Century double-header

Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019

On October 13, ONE Championship will promote its 100th event, aptly titled ONE: Century. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently divulged that this landmark event, which will go down in Tokyo, Japan, will actually be composed of two full-scale events.

Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor
UFC

Chael Sonnen puts the UFC flyweight division on blast

Thomas Taylor - August 25, 2019

Chael Sonnen is not impressed by the fighters in the UFC flyweight division. Sonnen says that, after nearly finding itself on the chopping block, the UFC flyweight division was saved by its reigning champion Henry Cejudo, who helped renew interest in it. Unfortunately, Sonnen believes that the other fighters in the division have learned nothing from this experience.

Dustin Poirier, Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC 242
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dustin Poirier 'not worried' about Khabib Nurmagomedov's takedowns

Thomas Taylor - August 25, 2019

Undisputed UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most impressive grapplers in MMA history, but Dustin Poirier isn’t sweating the Russian’s takedowns. Ahead of his UFC 242 lightweight title unification bout with Nurmagomedov, the interim champion Poirier is more concerned with his own game than his foe’s. He says his priority is to do damage, win rounds, and with a little luck, go down in history as the first man to defeat Nurmagomedov in MMA.

Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
UFC

Aljamain Sterling puts the UFC bantamweight division on blast

Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019

UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling put the rest of the promotion’s top 135lbers on blast in a social media post on Sunday. “The Funkmaster” called out nearly everyone in the top 10 in a humorous Instagram post. Check out what Aljo said below.

Sergei Kharitonov
Sergei Kharitonov

Sergei Kharitonov wants Bellator heavyweight title shot next

Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019

Fresh off of a brutal knockout win over Matt Mitrione in the main event of Bellator 225, veteran slugger Sergei Kharitonov is now eyeing the promotion’s heavyweight title for his next fight. “The Paratrooper” spoke to reporters in a scrum following his second-round TKO win, and said he wants to fight the winner of the upcoming heavyweight title fight between champion Ryan Bader and challenger Cheick Kongo.

Bellator, Rory MacDonald, Douglas Lima
Frank Mir

Bellator announces Rory MacDonald vs. Douglas Lima 2, Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir 2

Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019

Bellator has announced a welterweight title bout between Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima as well as a heavyweight fight between Roy Nelson and Frank Mir. The promotion announced both fights during the broadcast for Bellator 225 on Saturday night. Bellator 231 takes place Friday, October 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Nelson vs. Mir fight will headline that card and is scheduled for three rounds. This is a rematch from the pair’s first fight back in 2011, which Mir won via unanimous decision at UFC 130.

Paige VanZant, Austin Vanderford
Bellator

Paige VanZant's husband Austin Vanderford relishing 'Mr. VanZant' nickname

Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019

Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford was one of the stars of Saturday night’s Bellator 225 card. He absolutely thrashed Joseph Creer with ground and pound and finished his opponent via second-round TKO due to doctor stoppage in what was the most dominant performance of his MMA career thus far. But despite being an undefeated fighter, he’s still mostly known because of his more famous wife, the UFC’s Paige VanZant. Fans have joked on social media about Vanderford, referring to him as “Mr. VanZant.” Instead of getting upset at the fans who make the joke, Vanderford took it in stride. In a post-fight social media post celebrating his win, Vanderford said he’s cool with the nickname that fans have bestowed on him.