MMA News
Managers agree to Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori matchup
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
Managers Ali Abdelaziz and Wallid Ismail have agreed for their clients in Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori to have an upcoming matchup. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto spoke to Ismail, Costa’s manager, who said that the fight that his team wants is against Vettori. Not long after the word emerged that Costa is looking to fight Vettori next, Vettori’s manager Abdelaziz responded and said they want the fight.
Belal Muhammad "very confident" he would beat Leon Edwards in a rematch
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad says that he is “very confident” he would beat divisional rival Leon Edwards in a future rematch. Muhammad and Edwards fought earlier this year and the fight ended early in the second round when Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, causing an end to the fight. In the immediate aftermath of that bout, Muhammad was making noise and telling the UFC that he wanted the rematch, but the promotion gave both fighters different opponents. Instead, Muhammad fought and defeated Demian Maia at UFC 263, while Edwards beat Nate Diaz on the same card. And while Edwards is hoping that his win over Diaz is enough for him to get a title shot, Muhammad doesn’t agree with that sentiment.
Michael Bisping explains why he respects TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC analyst Michael Bisping explained why he respects former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated. Dillashaw hasn’t fought in over two years since being handed a suspension in January 2019 after being caught with PEDs in his system following a knockout loss to Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw admitted that he cheated and was trying to gain an unfair advantage and he has served the suspension for the last two years on the sidelines. This Saturday night at UFC Vegas 32, Dillashaw finally returns to the cage when he takes on rival Cory Sandhagen.
Dan Hooker challenges “tickle party” fighter Islam Makhachev to throw down in September
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2021
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has laid down a challenge to Islam Makhachev as their social media spat continues. This past Saturday night, Makhachev continued his rise up through the 155-pound ranks with a decisive win over Thiago Moises. He controlled the right all the way through until the fourth round when he was finally able to secure a strong submission victory, vaulting himself closer to a potential title shot in the near future.
Nate Diaz hints at headlining another UFC card at Madison Square Garden: "I might have to do that again soon"
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Nate Diaz is looking to fight again and wants it to be at Madison Square Garden. Back at UFC 244 in November of 2019, Diaz headlined the pay-per-view card at MSG against Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. It was a big fight and massive event, and now the fan-favorite Stockton native says he might have to headline another card at MSG.
Dana White claims Conor McGregor has “chronic arthritis” in his ankles
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Dana White believes Conor McGregor has chronic arthritis in his ankles which played a factor in his leg-breaking at UFC 264. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, McGregor and Dustin Poirier had their highly-anticipated trilogy match. Early on, the Irishman had success but “The Diamond” got him down and landed some heavy ground and pound. When McGregor got back up to his feet he threw a steep kick and after that, when he threw a punch his leg broke. According to White, that was due to the fact McGregor has chronic arthritis.
Mike Brown fires back after John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier before injury
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Mike Brown fired back after John Kavanagh said that Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 before his injury. Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) after the Irishman suffered a broken leg that caused a stop to the contest. Even before the injury, however, Poirier was doing quite well in the fight and two of the three judges scoring the bout cage-side gave him the first round 10-8. So when Kavanagh recently came out and stated that he thought McGregor was doing well in the fight before the injury, there were a lot of fans who didn’t agree with his assessment of the fight, and Brown doesn’t agree with it, either.
Tai Tuivasa buries Greg Hardy on social media: "Don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!"
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa buried Greg Hardy on social media, telling him “don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!” Tuivasa knocked out Hardy in a heavyweight bout that took place on last weekend’s UFC 264 pay-per-view card. Following the fight, Hardy shared a post on his own social media where he accepted the loss and congratulated Tuivasa on his win. Apparently, though, Hardy has been saying some negative remarks about the Aussie since then, and Tuivasa is having none of it. On Monday, the lovable heavyweight took to his Instagram where he posted a series of photos trashing Hardy and telling him to stop talking smack about him.
Colby Covington sends a message to Ali Abdelaziz: "You're not the matchmaker of the UFC"
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington sent a message to Ali Abdelaziz, reminding him that “you’re not the matchmaker of the UFC.” Covington is expected to take on Abdelaziz’s client, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, later this year in a rematch of their “Fight of the Night” in 2019 that Usman won via fifth-round TKO. UFC president Dana White has remarked on numerous occasions that the first Usman vs. Covington fight was one of his personal favorite fights of all time, and he has already confirmed that “Chaos” is next in line to fight “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
Amanda Lemos calls out Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres following quick KO win at UFC Vegas 31
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Amanda Lemos called out Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres following her quick KO win at UFC Vegas 31. The 34-year-old Brazilian knocked out Montserrat Conejo in just 35 seconds to pick up her fourth straight win at 115lbs in the UFC. Now 4-1 overall in her UFC career and 10-1-1 in MMA, Lemos is ready to start fighting the elite opponents in her weight class. Following her big win over Conejo, Lemos took the microphone and told UFC president Dana White that she wants to be part of the promotion’s next series of events in Abu Dhabi this fall, and apparently, she has two opponents in mind, pointing out Torres and Waterson specifically.
Islam Makhachev pokes fun at fellow lightweight contenders following "radio silence" after callouts
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Emerging title contender Islam Makhachev poked fun at his fellow lightweight contenders following their “radio silence” after his callouts. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 this past Saturday night to pick up his eighth straight win in the Octagon. With a 9-1 record now in the UFC, Makhachev has cemented himself as one of the elite lightweights in the sport. However, since he’s ranked No. 9 in the division, he needs to start fighting the fighters ranked higher than him if he wants to get a title shot. Some of those potential opponents include the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Rafael dos Anjos, all of who Makhachev called out following his big win over Moises on Saturday.
Marion Reneau issues statement following retirement from mixed martial arts
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Former UFC women’s bantamweight contender Marion Reneau issued a statement following her retirement from mixed martial arts. Reneau lost via third-round TKO to Miesha Tate at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card, and following the event, she made her retirement from MMA official. The 44-year-old American officially ends her career with a 9-8-1 record, which includes notable wins over Jessica Andrade and Sara McMann. Check out the lengthy statement that Reneau shared on her social media following her official announcement that she has retired from MMA.
TJ Dillashaw claims he did not benefit from previous PED use, promises to be “a f*cking animal” in UFC return
Harry Kettle - July 19, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has claimed he didn’t benefit from his previous PED use. Back in 2019, Dillashaw was stripped of his 135-pound title and suspended after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). It came in the midst of his UFC flyweight title defeat to Henry Cejudo, with many questioning whether Dillashaw would even return after his suspension was complete.
Maycee Barber expects to finish Miranda Maverick: "I’m not going out there to play around, I’m planning to put her away"
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Maycee Barber wasn’t surprised when she was offered Miranda Maverick as her next fight. After Maverick beat Gillian Robertson at UFC 260, Barber saw all the posts about how fans wanted to see the fight happen. However, given they are two of the up and comers at flyweight, some thought it didn’t make sense. Yet, for Barber, she says she likes the fight and is eager for it.
Gilbert Burns wants rematch with Kamaru Usman, will fight Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards to get there
Adam Martin - July 18, 2021
Gilbert Burns wants a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, and says will fight Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards to get there. Burns defeated Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 last weekend to bounce back into the win column following a knockout loss to Usman earlier this year at UFC 258. With the win over Thompson, Burns once again cemented himself as one of the elite welterweights in the sport, and following the fight, he called out Masvidal, Edwards, and Nate Diaz for fights.
Logan Paul reveals he had recent phone conversation with UFC president Dana White
Adam Martin - July 18, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul revealed that he had a recent phone conversation with UFC president Dana White ahead of last week’s UFC 264. Logan Paul and his brother Jake were both recently in attendance at UFC 264 and they had great seats to the event, thanks to White. Speaking on a recent edition of the IMPAULSIVE podcast, the older Paul revealed that he received a phone call from White the day of the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 3 card that was quite surprising, to say the least.
Thiago Moises reacts following loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 31: "Islam is an amazing fighter and he was the best guy tonight"
Adam Martin - July 18, 2021
Thiago Moises reacted following a loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 31, saying he “is an amazing fighter and he was the best guy tonight.” Moises came into the fight with Makhachev as a massive underdog and although he was able to survive the first three rounds of the fight, he lost in the championship rounds when Moises tapped him out in the fourth. For Moises, the loss snapped his three-fight winning skid, but the 26-year-old Brazilian is not upset about not getting his hand raised. For Moises, just the fact he got the opportunity to compete against one of the best lightweights on the UFC roster and got to have that experience means it was a winning night for him.
What's next for Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises after UFC Vegas 31?
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 31, rising lightweight contenders met as Islam Makhachev took on Thiago Moises. Makhahcev entered the fight coming off a dominant third-round submission win over Drew Dober back at UFC 259. He has been called a future champion by his protégé Khabib Nurmagomedov and has looked like it so far. Moises, meanwhile, was coming off wins over Alexander Hernandez, Bobby Green, and Michael Johnson.