MMA News

Adam Martin - June 4, 2019

Conor McGregor might not be fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov in a rematch at UFC 242, but there’s still the chance we see these two bitter rivals fight each other again down the road. On Tuesday, it was made official that the UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov will battle interim champion Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 242 on September 7 in Abu Dhabi. This of course means that Conor McGregor won’t be getting the rematch he so desperately craves, at least not until we see what happens between Nurmagomedov and Poirier. The announcement also meant that Tony Ferguson and Donald Cerrone are temporarily out of the running for a title fight against Nurmagomedov.

Cole Shelton - June 4, 2019

Khabib Nurmagomedov has re-signed with the UFC after agreeing to headline UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi against Dustin Poirier. According to the lightweight champion’s manager in Ali Abdelaziz, both he and “The Eagle” are ecstatic with the new contract.

Adam Martin - June 4, 2019

One of the UFC light heavyweight division’s top prospects, Johnny Walker, is set to return to the Octagon this fall. According to ESPN.com’s Ariel Helwani, Walker has been medically cleared to begin MMA training following shoulder surgery, and his team wants him to fight again in September. According to his manager Lucas Lutkus, Johnny Walker is eyeing a top-10 opponent opponent in his return to the cage.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

The long rumored fight between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Dustin Poirier is now official for UFC 242. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who spoke with Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz, this fight will mark the first obligation on a brand new UFC contract for the Russian champion. More interestingly still, this contract allegedly includes a clause in the event that Nurmagomedov ever gets his long desired fight with Georges St-Pierre.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

At long last, it’s official. UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will unify their titles at UFC 242. The card goes down on September 7 in Abu Dhabi. The UFC announced this matchup as official on social media on Tuesday afternoon.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa is best known for two things. First and foremost is handiwork in the cage, which has carried him to a solid 8-1 record. Second is his affection for ‘shoeys’ — the act of chugging a beer out of somebody else’s shoe. UFC commentator Joe Rogan is a big fan of the first of those things, but he’s not so sure about the second. Rogan gave his take on shoeys on the latest episode of his podcast:

Cole Shelton - June 4, 2019

Jessica Eye is undefeated at flyweight and is now set to fight for the title against champion Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event of UFC 238. When Eye got the call to say she was fighting for the title, it was a surreal moment for her and her team.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

On the latest episode of the Joe Rogan Rogan Experience, host Joe Rogan got into a lengthy and visibly exhausting debate with his guest Eddie Bravo. The topic, as those familiar with either man might guess, was the shape of the earth. Rogan, like most people, believes it’s round, while Bravo is adamant that it is actually flat. The two friends could not come to an agreement on the shape of the planet we live on, and at long last, agreed to change the subject.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

Anthony Smith got the win he sought over Alexander Gustafsson in the UFC Stockholm main event, but it came at a cost. The American light heavyweight contender sustained a nasty hand injury in the bout, and it looks like it’s going to take some time to heal. Smith shared an x-ray of this injury — a bad break — with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.

Adam Martin - June 4, 2019

The UFC returns to San Antonio, Texas this summer for UFC on ESPN 4 and two of the biggest heavyweights on the roster are set to throw down when Juan Adams meets Greg Hardy in a grudge match. Now, Adams has one simple message his opponent: “F*ck you.”

Cole Shelton - June 4, 2019

Calvin Kattar will partake in one of the biggest fights of his career when he takes on Ricardo Lamas at UFC 238. When the 15th-ranked featherweight got the call to fight Lamas he was ecstatic. He understands just what a win would do for his career and is excited to show he is a top featherweight in the world. “I was pumped, man. I’ve been trying to fight a bunch of big names for a while now,” Kattar said to BJPENN.com. “I’m ready to go out and show why I belong. I don’t want to be the 15th-ranked fighter without taking out a top-15 fighter. I want to earn that spot. A win over Lamas shows I belong in that spot and can compete with guys who can fight for the title. He previously fought Aldo, that is more exciting and appealing.”

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

Amid the retirements of UFC light heavyweights like Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa, another fantastic light heavyweight fighter has elected to hang up the gloves: The great Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal. Lawal, a former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, RIZIN Grand Prix winner, and Bellator contender, quietly retired from competition earlier this week. The news was announced on the official Instagram page of American Top Team, the gym he’s called home for many years.

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2019

After losing to the young Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Stockholm over the weekend, long-time UFC light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa has decided to hang up the gloves. The Nigerian-born Brit made this announcement in a poignant post to his official Instagram account.

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2019

In the main event of UFC 238, Henry Cejudo has a chance to become a champ-champ. He is the reigning flyweight champion, and after knocking out T.J. Dillashaw, the Olympic gold medalist is moving up in weight to take on Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight title. If Cejudo can become a champ-champ, he believes he will be the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2019

At UFC Sacramento, Urijah Faber will return to the Octagon for a bantamweight tilt against Ricky Simon. It will be nearly three years since ‘The California Kid” last fought, but the 40-year-old is eager to return. Although Simon is not the biggest name, a win at UFC Sacramento could help setup a future fight with former teammate turned bitter rival T.J. Dillashaw. The former UFC bantamweight kingpin, Dillashaw is currently suspended for two years due to EPO use.

Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019

Undefeated welterweight standout Ben Askren (19-0 MMA) took aim at former UFC lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz on Monday afternoon. The former Bellator and ONE Champion, Askren, roasted the younger Diaz brother over his professional record as a lightweight.

Natasha Hooper - June 3, 2019

During Monday’s episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show show, Nate Diaz explained the reason behind an infamous altercation wherein he slapped UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the face. “He was not humble and not this nice guy,” Diaz began. “He was sitting there with his friend trying to making a fight with me, taking a picture of me making fun of me. So I capitalized and said ‘f**k you’ and slapped him in his face.”

Mike Pendleton - June 3, 2019

For the first time in ages, Nate Diaz has opened up on his fighting career. What will likely come as a disappointment to many fighting fans is that he’s apparently not interested in a trilogy against former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.