MMA News
Patricio Pitbull issues statement after vacating the Bellator lightweight title
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull issued a statement after he decided to vacate his title belt at 155lbs. Pitbull announced on social media on Wednesday in a statement that he is vacating the Bellator lightweight title. Bellator president Scott Coker told The MMA Hour that with the title being vacated, Pitbull’s brother Patricky will now get the vacant title shot. He will meet Peter Queally in a rematch for the belt at Bellator 270 on November 5 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. In his statement, Pitbull explained his decision to give up his belt at 155lbs.
Charles Rosa confident he'll 'choke out' Damon Jackson and get a top-guy next time out: 'I feel like I'm back'
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2021
Charles Rosa believes he has finally put everything together ahead of his UFC Vegas 39 fight against Damon Jackson. After Rosa returned to the win column in June against Justin Jaynes, he said he wanted to return in October or November and he got his wish.
Tim Elliott plans to take Matheus Nicolau 'into deepwater' to get the win, wants Askar Askarov or Cody Garbrandt next
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2021
Tim Elliott is now in a place where he doesn’t have to take any fight that comes his way, and that is what happened when Su Mudaerji pulled out of their fight in June. After his opponent pulled out, Elliott was offered Manel Kape on short notice which he turned down as for him, he only wants ranked guys. He also says he’s in a position now where he is being smart about his career and not taking any fight that comes his way.
Cris Cyborg set to defend Bellator women's featherweight title against Sinead Kavanagh
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
One of the best women’s fighters of all time, Cris Cyborg is set to defend Bellator the women’s featherweight title against Sinead Kavanagh. Bellator president Scott Coker revealed the news on the latest edition of The MMA Hour. According to Coker, Cyborg will fight against Kavanagh on November 12. The event will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, as per Coker.
Devin Clark explains mindset needed to fight through brutal teeth injury against Ion Cutelaba
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
UFC light heavyweight fighter Devin Clark explained the mindset he needed to fight through his brutal teeth injury against Ion Cutelaba. Clark fought Cutelaba last month and suffered a horrendous injury when his teeth were smashed from a vicious knee. Despite his teeth being broken, Clark decided to continue fighting and toughed it out, going the distance and even winning the last round on two of the judges’ scorecards. While Clark lost the unanimous decision to Cutelaba, he gained the respect of the fans by battling through one of the nastiest teeth injuries we’ve ever seen.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for UFC 270
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Two title fights featuring Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane and Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 are being targeted for UFC 270. According to the French outlet “La Sueur,” UFC 270 is being planned to take place on January 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is not official yet, but the UFC plans on having the UFC heavyweight title unified that night between the champ Ngannou and the interim champ Gane. As for the co-main event, the plan is to have to rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. Overall, with these two title fights at the top of the bill, UFC 270 is shaping up to be a stacked card already. MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter added the following:
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo is taking his talents to Hollywood
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo is taking his talents to Hollywood as he shared the big news in a new video posted to his social media. Cejudo is officially retired from combat sports but he remains in the game in other ways. On Tuesday, “The Messenger” took to his social media to reveal that he is taking his talents to Hollywood. According to Cejudo, he is the executive producer of the new combat sports movie “In Full Bloom,” and the former UFC double champion wants his fans to watch it.
Alistair Overeem reveals he's injured, out of Rico Verhoeven GLORY kickboxing match
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem revealed that he is injured and out of the upcoming Rico Verhoeven GLORY kickboxing match. Overeem was set to return to the kickboxing ring against Verhoeven on October 23, but the fight will no longer go down as planned. According to “The Demolition Man,” he has been dealing with an injury for a month. Unfortunately, he has had to pull out of the fight as he is now 100% healthy. Check out the full written statement from Overeem below.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov squares off with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov entertained fans this week by squaring off with close friend Cristiano Ronaldo during a recent trip to Manchester, England. Khabib, who has been in the UK for a series of different appearances in the last week or so, spent time at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch his friend Ronaldo play for Manchester United against Everton. While CR7 wasn’t quite able to score the winner, it did give them a chance to reconnect after the game.
Dana White reacts to the tragic death of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton: “First of all, is anybody shocked?”
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on the recent passing of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton. It was confirmed just a few days ago that Thornton had died due to injuries sustained following his 20-second knockout defeat at BKFC 20. There’s been an outpouring of support from the mixed martial arts community ever since then with many paying tribute to the 38-year-old and what he achieved in the sport.
Dana White calls exhibition matches 'bullsh*t loophole' for 'guys who shouldn't be fighting'
Drake Riggs - October 5, 2021
Dana White is not a fan of exhibition matches. The UFC boss recently shared his lack of interest in mixed rules bouts after the announcement of ONE Championship matching Demetrious Johnson against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Well, with the continuing trend of old legends like Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield squaring off in boxing exhibitions, White’s not a fan of those either.
Aspen Ladd admits weight miss fault in response to Miesha Tate's criticism
Drake Riggs - October 5, 2021
Aspen Ladd was supposed to make her long-awaited return to action this past weekend. Originally booked to face Macy Chiasson in July, Chiasson would suffer an injury thus rescheduling the bout for the start of October. However, Ladd tipped the scales overweight at 137-pounds resulting in the bout’s cancellation – along with critique from fellow bantamweight such as former champion, Miesha Tate.
Robbie Lawler checks in on Nick Diaz after UFC 266 loss, asks if he's 'good in life' and if he needs help
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz had their highly-anticipated rematch and after the fight, Lawler made sure to check in on the Stockton, native. In the lead-up to their rematch at UFC 266, Diaz was vocal that he didn’t know why he was fighting or why this was the fight. It was troubling comments and he echoed that after the fight as well.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Islam Makhachev 'mauls' Dan Hooker: 'Only thing he has is a lucky punch'
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the only way Dan Hooker beats Islam Makhachev is by a lucky punch. Makhachev is a pupil of Nurmagomedov and was supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 in October. Yet, the Brazilian was forced out of the fight and Hooker took the fight on short notice and for Nurmagomedov, he expects Makhachev to maul Hooker.
BJ Penn announces run for Governor of Hawaii
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn announced that he is running for Governor of Hawaii in a social media post where he explained his decision in full. Penn, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, made the announcement this week that he is running for the role of Hawaiian Governor. As part of his campaign, Penn promised that he will get rid of vaccine passports. He is running on a campaign of getting freedom back for the people of Hawaii. Take a look at the full statement that Penn posted below.
Israel Adesanya takes a shot at Jon Jones following post with fiancée
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya took a shot at former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones following his post with his fiancée. Jones was arrested two weeks ago in Las Vegas after his 2013 fight against Alexander Gustafsson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Following the HOF ceremony, Jones was arrested on an alleged domestic battery incident that left his fiancée, Jessie Moses, with bumps and bruises on her face, according to hotel security. In addition, Jones was also charged with damaging a police vehicle after reportedly headbutting it. Days after this incident, however, Jones took to his social media to share a video of him and Moses kissing and making up. According to Jones, he and Moses plan on sticking together through the good and the bad. But posting the video has led to him taking shots from his rivals, and Adesanya had no problem taking to his social media to poke fun at Jones for the video.
Herb Dean explains why he did not stop Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski fight at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
MMA referee Herb Dean explained why he did not stop the recent Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski featherweight title fight at UFC 266. During the Ortega vs. Volkanovski fight, Ortega appeared to have trouble making it to his stool, and he also appeared to have vision issues. However, Dean let the fight continue. Speaking to Helen Yee in a recent interview, Dean defended not stopping the fight.
Mackenzie Dern expects to finish Marina Rodriguez and leapfrog Carla Esparza to earn the next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Mackenzie Dern had a feeling her next fight would be a main event. Dern submitted Nina Nunes in the first round back in April. After that, she was offered two short-notice main event fights. However, they never came to fruition but Dern had a feeling once Rodriguez beat Waterson she would headline a card opposite the Brazilian.