MMA News
Vicente Luque wants title shot against Kamaru Usman following incredible finish at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2021
Top contender Vicente Luque wants a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman following his incredible finish at UFC 265. Luque finished Michael Chiesa with a D’Arce choke in the first round of their welterweight bout on the UFC 265 main card. The win was the fourth in a row for Luque, all by stoppage, and he improved his UFC record to 14-3, with 13 of those wins coming by stoppage. “The Silent Assassin” has become one of the most exciting fighters in all of the UFC, and he is hoping that finishing his opponents in such devastating fashion earns him a title shot.
Ciryl Gane thrilled with "masterclass" TKO win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2021
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane says he is thrilled after putting on a “masterclass” performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. Gane knocked out Lewis in the third round with strikes to earn the interim heavyweight title in dominant fashion. The Frenchman controlled nearly every minute the fight lasted as he was able to manage his range and distance against the KO artist Lewis, and then knock his opponent out in the third to take home the interim strap. It was another incredible showing by Gane, who improved to 10-0 as a professional MMA fighter, including a 7-0 mark in the UFC alone. The win over Lewis was arguably the best Gane has ever looked.
Sean O’Malley claims a “drunk” Luke Rockhold pestered his father in Montana
Harry Kettle - August 9, 2021
Sean O’Malley has claimed that a drunk Luke Rockhold mocked him during a recent interaction with O’Malley’s father. There are many rising figures within the sport of mixed martial arts but you could argue few are as unique as Sean O’Malley. From his fight style to the manner in which he carries himself, he really does stand out amongst the pack at bantamweight.
Rafael Fiziev criticizes Khabib Nurmagomedov's fighting style: "I was never his fan"
Adam Martin - August 8, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev explained why he did not enjoy watching Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, saying that “I was never his fan.” Fiziev is one of the top strikers in the UFC lightweight division and he just put on a show against veteran Bobby Green at UFC 265. In a three-round war, Fiziev outpointed Green to take home the decision and improve to 4-1 in the UFC. The pair of fighters also took home $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night.” The talented Fiziev is quickly closing in on the top-15 of the UFC lightweight division and could potentially make an even bigger push should he be able to get a fight against one of the top dogs in the division. And even though he’s retired now, there’s no bigger fish in the sea than the former champion Nurmagomedov.
Stephen Thompson believes he can make another UFC title run despite loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 264
Adam Martin - August 8, 2021
Despite losing by unanimous decision to Gilbert Burns at UFC 264, Stephen Thompson still believes he can make another welterweight title run. The 38-year-old Thompson was coming into UFC 264 off of back-to-back wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal, but his striking attack was thwarted by Burns, who was able to take “Wonderboy” down to the ground and control him for the duration of the bout. It was not the most exciting fight, and UFC president Dana White admitted he wasn’t a fan of it. But at the end of the day, Burns got his hand raised and Thompson saw his win streak snap.
Jose Aldo calls out TJ Dillashaw for No. 1 contender fight in December
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo called out TJ Dillashaw for a No. 1 contender fight in the bantamweight division in December. Aldo defeated Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 265. It was the legend’s second straight win following a unanimous decision victory over Marlon Vera in his last outing. After being left for dead by many fans following a three-fight win streak that culminated in a brutal TKO loss to former champion Petr Yan last summer, “Junior” has bounced back in a big way and is looking like a championship-quality fighter once again. Only this time, the championship belt he is chasing is in the 135lbs division.
Gilbert Burns says he will never fight his "brother" Vicente Luque in the UFC
Adam Martin - August 8, 2021
Top-ranked UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns says that he will never fight his “brother” Vicente Luque inside the Octagon. Burns defeated Stephen Thompson last month at UFC 264 to solidify his spot in the top-five at 170lbs, while Luque submitted Michael Chiesa at UFC 265 to announce that he is a top contender, too. Naturally, with both Burns and Luque coming off of big wins and being ranked in the top-five of the stacked UFC welterweight division, there are some fans who would like to see this matchup next. However, with Burns and Luque being good friends and training partners, “Durinho” says he will never fight against “The Silent Assassin.”
Francis Ngannou says Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis were fighting for the No. 2 contender spot at UFC 265
Adam Martin - August 8, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou said that Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis were fighting for the No. 2 contender spot at UFC 265. Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight champion and he was initially unhappy that Dana White booked this interim title fight between Gane and Lewis for UFC 265 given that he just beat Stipe Miocic back in March to win the title. In any case, Ngannou knows that the winner of Gane vs. Lewis will be next up for the belt, and so he watched the fight on Saturday night. Before the fight started, he shared a video where he made the joke that Gane and Lewis were fighting not for a real UFC belt, but rather for the No. 2 contender spot in the UFC heavyweight rankings, since Miocic is still technically the No. 1 contender in the division.
Jose Aldo releases statement following victory over "very tough guy" Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
UFC bantamweight star Jose Aldo released a statement following his victory over his opponent, the “very tough guy” Pedro Munhoz, at UFC 265. Aldo won a unanimous decision over Munhoz in the co-main event of the UFC 265 pay-per-view. The Brazilian was able to outstrike his fellow countryman for the majority of the three rounds and take home a clear verdict on the judges’ scorecards. For Aldo, it was his second straight win after defeating Marlon Vera by decision in his last fight. He has won two straight fights now after having lost three straight fights. Despite being 34 years old and about to turn 35, Aldo seems to actually be improving and getting better as a fighter.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC heavyweight title unification bout betting odds revealed
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
The betting odds have been revealed for the proposed Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC heavyweight title unification bout. Gane defeated Derrick Lewis via third-round TKO to become the new UFC interim heavyweight champion, giving him the next crack at the champ Ngannou. With Gane vs. Ngannou now lined up for their title unification bout, the oddsmakers were quick to release an opening line for the fight. Take a look at the opening odds from BetOnline, which features this heavyweight title bout between Ngannou and Gane opening as a Pick ’em.
Ciryl Gane reacts after knocking out Derrick Lewis to win heavyweight title at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
Newly-minted world titleholder Ciryl Gane reacted after knocking out Derrick Lewis to win the interim heavyweight title at UFC 265. Gane stopped Lewis with strikes in the third round of their heavyweight title fight that served as the main event of UFC 265. The Frenchman absolutely dominated Lewis in the fight from bell to bell as he utilized superior striking technique to piece apart “The Black Beast” and then score the finish in the third round with strikes. The win improved the UFC record of “Bon Gamin” to a perfect 7-0 and he’s 10-0 overall in mixed martial arts. At this point, Gane looks like he can give a really tough test to UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, and the two former teammates seem destined for a future title unification bout.
Video | Karolina Kowalkiewicz breaks down in tears following UFC 265 loss: "I need to maybe find a new passion in life, and that hurts”
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
Karolina Kowalkiewicz broke down in tears following her UFC 265 loss, saying that “I need to maybe find a new passion in life and that hurts.” Kowalkiewicz, who was once the No. 1 contender in the UFC women’s strawweight division, has really fallen on hard times in her MMA career over the last few years. She entered Saturday night’s fight against fellow veteran Jessica Penne on a four-fight losing skid, and that skid is now five straight fights after Penne submitted Kowalkiewicz with an armbar in the first round of their fight. Kowalkiewicz has now lost five straight fights, and taking to her social media following UFC 265, the Pole hinted that she could be finished with MMA.
Conor McGregor praises “real legend” Jose Aldo following his win at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor praised his former rival, the “real legend” Jose Aldo, following his big win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265. McGregor and Aldo previously met at UFC 194 in December 2015, with the Irishman knocking the Brazilian out in the first round to become the new UFC featherweight champion. While there were many fans who thought that Aldo might be on the decline after McGregor sparked him, it’s now over five years later and yet Aldo is still winning fights. Not only is he still getting his hand raised, but he’s doing it at a different weight class, having committed himself to the UFC’s 135lbs division for the last two years. Considering Aldo has been in the UFC for over a decade, what he is doing is quite unparalleled in many ways.
Dana White says Vicente Luque is “now in the title picture” following submission win over Michael Chiesa at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that Vicente Luque is “now in the title picture” following his submission win over Michael Chiesa at UFC 265. The No. 6 ranked welterweight in the UFC heading into this matchup, Luque used a D’arce choke to submit Chiesa in the first round of their 170lbs fight on the UFC 265 main card. It was another impressive showing from “The Silent Assassin,” who was coming off of a D’arce choke submission win over Tyron Woodley in his last fight. The Brazilian has now won four straight fights and he has won 10 of his last 11 fights overall. In any way you look at it, Luque is a legitimate contender at 170lbs, and now he’s closing in on a title shot.
Dana White on future Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane title fight: "F*cking Vince couldn’t have wrote a better script for this"
Christopher Taylor - August 8, 2021
Dana White claims Vince McMahon couldn’t have wrote a better script for the UFC’s future heavyweight title unification bout between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Gane (10-0 MMA) captured the promotions interim heavyweight title at tonight’s UFC 265 event in Houston by scoring a third round TKO victory over Derrick Lewis. It was a dominant performance from the Frenchman and one that has now set him up on a collision course with Francis Ngannou.
Michael Chiesa issues statement following first round submission loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 265
Christopher Taylor - August 7, 2021
Michael Chiesa has issued a statement after suffering a first round submission loss to Vicente Luque at tonight’s UFC 265 event in Houston. Chiesa (18-5 MMA) had entered tonight’s bout sporting a four-fight winning steak, his latest being a drubbing of Neil Magny in January. ‘Maverick’ had most previously tasted defeated at the hands of Anthony Pettis in a lightweight scrap in November of 2018.
Francis Ngannou reacts after Ciryl Gane is crowned interim heavyweight champion at UFC 265
Christopher Taylor - August 7, 2021
Reigning heavyweight kingpin Francis Ngannou tuned in to watch the promotion crown a interim title holder at tonight’s UFC 265 event in Houston. Despite the fact that Ngannou had just captured the UFC heavyweight title back in March, Dana White and company decided a interim title fight was required for tonight’s event headliner in Texas.
Jon Jones reacts after Ciryl Gane defeats Derrick Lewis at UFC 265
Christopher Taylor - August 7, 2021
Jon Jones clearly tuned in to watch tonight’s interim heavyweight title fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane at UFC 265. Lewis (25-8 MMA) and Gane (10-0 MMA) met in the headliner of tonight’s pay-per-view fight card with the promotions interim heavyweight championship on the line.