MMA News
Charles Oliveira admits that he thought about quitting MMA, but glad he didn't: "Looking back, I see it was all worth it"
Adam D Martin - May 27, 2021
New UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira admits that he thought about quitting MMA, but he’s glad that he chose to stay the course. It took Oliveira 11 years to reach the top of the mountain in the UFC, and along the way, he admits that he thought about stepping away from the sport. Though he’s clearly one of the most talented fighters in the game, it wasn’t always like that. In fact, at many points in time, he questioned his ability to make it as a fighter in one of the world’s toughest sports.
UFC Vegas 28: ‘Rozenstruik vs Sakai’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - May 27, 2021
The UFC is set to return to action next Saturday night with UFC Vegas 28, headlined by a blockbuster heavyweight showdown between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai. Event: UFC Vegas 28: Rozenstruik vs Sakai Date: Saturday, 5th June 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5pm/7pm EST
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes reveals what led to horrific train accident
Christopher Taylor - May 26, 2021
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes has opened up on the horrific train accident that left him clinging to life in a medically induced coma. On June 16, 2017, Hughes sustained severe head injuries after a train collided with his truck at a rail crossing close to his residence.
Stipe Miocic responds after Derrick Lewis suggests he is punch drunk: "His balls were probably too hot, that’s probably why he said that"
Christopher Taylor - May 26, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has responded after top contender Derrick Lewis suggested that he has gone punch drunk. Miocic lost the UFC heavyweight title back in March when he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou (11-3 MMA) in their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 260.
Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez to headline July 17 event
Cole Shelton - May 26, 2021
A pivotal featherweight fight between Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez has been agreed to for July. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto via Dana White, Holloway and Rodriguez will headline the July 17 card. The event will likely take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis 2 targeted for August in Houston
Cole Shelton - May 26, 2021
Francis Ngannou will be in enemy territory when he defends his heavyweight title for the first time. After Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 the plan was for him to face Jon Jones. However, “Bones” and the UFC couldn’t come to an agreement. Following that, Dana White revealed Derrick Lewis would be getting the next shot. Now, White has revealed to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports the rematch will likely take place in August and in Houston, Texas where Lewis is from.
Dana White reacts after Jon Jones joins forces with boxing promoter Richard Schaefer
Cole Shelton - May 26, 2021
Dana White says he respects Richard Schaefer and is eager to try and negotiate Jon Jones’ next fight. Recently, Jones and his management First Round parted ways as “Bones” was looking to handle his own negotiations. However, on Wednesday the former UFC light heavyweight champion announced he had hired Schaefer as his advisor.
Jon Jones hires boxing promoter Richard Schaefer as his advisor
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones announced that he has hired boxing promoter Richard Schaefer as his new advisor. Earlier this week, Jones promised that he would share some big news with his fans, and he did so on Wednesday when he announced that he has hired Schaefer as his new advisor. Schaefer is a boxing promoter who was the former CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which he left in 2014. In 2016, he started his own boxing promotion called Ringstar Sports. Check out the full statement that Jones shared on his social media announcing the Schaefer hire.
Stephen Thompson explains why it would be a "bad idea" for Jake Paul to box Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson explained why it would be a “bad idea” for Jake Paul to fight Tyron Woodley in a boxing match. Thompson has fought Woodley twice in the UFC, the first time fighting to a majority draw and then losing a majority decision in the rematch, so he knows “The Chosen One” better than anyone. Recently, Woodley completed his UFC contract and he is now a free agent. One of the fights that have been bandied about for him by fans and media is a boxing match against Paul. At this point, we aren’t sure if this fight will end up happening, but based on their previous run-in, it seems as though Woodley and Paul are interested in it.
UFC Vegas 27 rankings update: Jack Hermansson, Carla Esparza among fighters moving up the ranks
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
Following UFC Vegas 27, the UFC’s rankings have been updated, with Jack Hermansson and Carla Esparza among the fighters moving up the ranks. Hermansson opened up the main card with a unanimous decision win over Edmen Shahbazyan. The UFC rankings panelists were impressed by what Hermansson did in the fight and he has moved up the promotion’s official rankings as a result, as “The Joker” is now ranked at No. 6 at middleweight, with Darren Till dropping down to the No. 7 spot.
Stipe Miocic hoping for Francis Ngannou trilogy by early 2022: "I really would love to fight Francis again for the rematch"
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
Stipe Miocic is hoping for the Francis Ngannou trilogy by early 2022, saying “I really would love to fight Francis again for the rematch.” Miocic lost the UFC heavyweight title in March at UFC 260 when he was brutally knocked out by Ngannou in the pair’s rematch. The fight was one-sided for Ngannou and so Miocic won’t get an immediate rematch despite the fact that he dominated Ngannou the first time they fought in 2018. Instead of Miocic being granted the rematch, the UFC has given the next title shot against Ngannou to Derrick Lewis, and the two will likely meet this summer.
Georges St-Pierre shares his thoughts on Logan and Jake Paul: “I’m not one of the haters, they’re great athletes”
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre shared his thoughts on Logan and Jake Paul, saying that “I’m not one of the haters, they’re great athletes.” GSP, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, recently sat down with MMA.joe and was asked about the Paul brothers, Logan and Jake. While so many people in the combat sports industry are down on the Paul brothers as they feel they haven’t put in the work yet, GSP isn’t a “hater.” Instead, GSP praised them for being great athletes, even though he’s still not convinced they can become elite MMA fighters or boxers.
Rory MacDonald disputes the notion that all of the world’s top mixed martial artists are in the UFC
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
PFL welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has disputed the notion that all of the world’s top mixed martial artists are in the UFC. MacDonald was one of the UFC’s top welterweights from 2010 to 2016, going 9-4 in the Octagon during that stretch, even fighting Robbie Lawler for the belt at UFC 189 in 2015. Since leaving the UFC, MacDonald traveled to Bellator, where he became that promotion’s welterweight champion, and now he’s in PFL, where he is one of the favorites to take down the $1 million grand prize in the organization’s 170lbs tournament. MacDonald might not be in his prime anymore but he’s still a quality welterweight even though he’s in PFL.
MMA veteran Phil Baroni offers to fight Diego Sanchez following UFC release, requests Conor McGregor promote the bout
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2021
Phil Baroni has offered himself out for a fight with Diego Sanchez after his UFC release – and he wants Conor McGregor to promote it. Baroni is best known for his days in the UFC but he’s also been able to stay in the public eye fairly regularly in recent years, whether it be due to his exploits with Stephan Bonnar or his tenure in bare-knuckle boxing.
Dan Hardy hints that his first post-UFC bout will take place in the boxing ring
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2021
Former UFC fighter and commentator Dan Hardy has suggested his first post-UFC fight could take place inside a boxing ring. Hardy confirmed earlier this month that he’d been released from his UFC fighter contract in the wake of also being let go from his commentary duties. While Hardy has made it clear that he’d like to work with the promotion again, the 39-year-old isn’t going to waste any time in finding another place to compete.
Michael Venom Page says he wants to test himself in the UFC
Andrew Whitelaw - May 25, 2021
Michael Venom Page is keen to test his skills in the UFC. The 34 year old has spent the majority of his career competing at Bellator, but admitted that the prospect of fighting in the UFC is the reason he got into MMA. As reported by Adam Martin, Page spoke to Michael Bisping on his ‘Believe you me’ podcast, Page said,
Valerie Loureda remains ranked at No. 8 above Hannah Guy and Vanessa Porto in Bellator rankings after Bellator 259 loss
Drake Riggs - May 25, 2021
Valerie Loureda hasn’t gone up or down in the official Bellator rankings after suffering her first career defeat at Bellator 259 against Hannah Guy. The 22-year old Taekwondo specialist went into last Friday night’s Bellator 259 event with a perfect 3-0 record. Loureda once again welcomed a newcomer to the promotional in fellow prospect Hannah Guy.
Luke Rockhold appreciates Israel Adesanya’s style but says the UFC champ is “beatable in so many ways”
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2021
Luke Rockhold is confident he would beat Israel Adesanya if he gets the chance to face him. Rockhold has recently revealed he is looking to return to the middleweight but many of the divisions top-15 have turned him down. However, he is still eager to return and knows if he works his way to a title shot he would be able to beat Adesanya as he thinks the middleweight champ is beatable in so many ways.