MMA News
Jake Paul no longer following through on wrestling match with Ben Askren: "I'm choosing not to do it anymore because he’s a f*cking loser"
Christopher Taylor - April 21, 2021
Jake Paul is no longer interested in having a pay-per-view wrestling match with his recent boxing opponent Ben Askren. Askren (19-2 MMA), a former MMA champion, made his boxing debut against Paul this past Saturday night in Atlanta. The fight itself did not last long, as the YouTuber turned boxer dropped ‘Funky’ with a big right hand early in round one. When Askren got to his feet he was still noticeably wobbled so the referee waved off the fight.
Conor McGregor expresses interest in buying Manchester United
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has expressed interest in purchasing the football club Manchester United. On Tuesday the heavily scrutinized plans for a European Super League seemingly fell apart after football fans worldwide came together to protest the idea.
Corey Anderson claims his two fights with Bellator have paid him double what he made in 15 fights with the UFC
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Corey Anderson claims that six months of work with his new employer Bellator has resulted in double the money he made in 15 fights with the UFC. The light heavyweight standout, Anderson (15-5 MMA), earned his second consecutive finish under the Bellator banner this past Friday in Uncasville, stopping Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov with elbows in the third round.
Khamzat Chimaev believes he will be the Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali of MMA: "I'm going to show everybody"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev claims he will be the Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali of MMA, now that he’s able to continue his career. After a severe case with COVID-19, Chimaev seemingly announced his retirement from the sport. It was disappointing news for many MMA fans as Chimaev was a top prospect who looked like a future star in the sport.
Ben Askren disagrees with ref stoppage but says he didn't take a dive as some suggest: "I got hit"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Ben Askren has put to bed any doubts that he took a dive against Jake Paul. In the first round of their highly-anticipated boxing match, both men were feeling each other out but after landing a jab, Paul followed it up with a big overhand right that dropped the UFC veteran. The fight was then waived off, and many wondered if the fight was fixed, which Askren says was not the case.
Jake Paul calls out Daniel Cormier: “I’ll beat the f**k out of your fat ass too, just like Stipe did"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Jake Paul has called out Daniel Cormier as he wants to beat him up just like his fellow Clevelander, Stipe Miocic did. In the lead-up to Paul’s boxing match against Ben Askren, Cormier was vocal about the fight. He had said after “Funky” pushed him at the press conference, Askren was going to win the fight, which is far from what happened.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya "a real possibility," confirms Chatri Sityodtong
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed that Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya in a boxing match is “a real possibility.” Alvarez recently admitted that he was in “serious talks” to fight de la Hoya, the boxing legend who is also part of the commentary team the Triller Fight Club.
Daniel Cormier says he would "kill" Jake Paul if they ever fought, suggests Luke Rockhold fight him instead
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Jake Paul actually wants to fight him because he would get destroyed if they ever fought. Cormier, the former UFC double champion, posted his hilarious reaction of watching Ben Askren get finished by Paul at Saturday’s boxing event. The two then got into a bit of a back-and-forth on social media, so it wasn’t a surprise that Cormier had some harsh words for Paul on his podcast.
Randy Brown expects to TKO Alex Oliveira in a "banger" of a fight: "I'm preparing for war"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Randy Brown is excited to share the Octagon with Alex Oliveira. Brown and Oliveira were supposed to meet in February, but Brown got COVID-19. Yet, the good news was the fight was rebooked for a sold out crowd in Jacksonville at UFC 261, which Brown is excited about.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants title shot against Weili Zhang vs. Rose Namajunas winner at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk believes she should be next to fight the winner of Weili Zhang vs. Rose Namajunas. Jedrzejczyk hasn’t fought since last March when she dropped a split decision to Zhang in a “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 248. Since then, Jedrzejczyk has been staying busy outside the Octagon with other ventures and she has enjoyed taking some time off to rest and relax, especially during COVID-19 times. However, she still plans on fighting again, and her hope is that she can step back into the Octagon and get a title fight shortly.
Dana White discusses mask protocol for UFC 261: “You can wear a mask. Or not wear a mask. It's up to you.”
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed fans will be allowed to make their own decision about whether or not they want to wear a mask at UFC 261. The world’s leading MMA promotion returns to a full crowd of fans this Saturday night at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida. The UFC is bringing a huge card with it, including the main event rematch between rivals UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. As well, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko fights Jessica Andrade, and UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang takes on Rose Namajunas. It is a great card on paper and the fact that fans will be in attendance makes it better.
Dana White confirms that if Kamaru Usman defeats Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, a rematch with Colby Covington is next
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Colby Covington will face the winner of UFC 261’s main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman and Masvidal meet this Saturday night in the main event of the UFC 261 pay-per-view card. Some were surprised that Masvidal got the rematch considering he just lost to Usman in his last fight at UFC 251 last summer on Fight Island, as many thought Covington would get the rematch with Usman since he just defeated Tyron Woodley via TKO. But the UFC decided to give Masvidal the rematch, which leaves Covington without an opponent.
Dana White addresses the UFC middleweight title picture following Robert Whittaker’s beatdown of Kelvin Gastelum
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that he believes Robert Whittaker should be next in line to face Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title. Whittaker is coming off the back of an impressive win over Kelvin Gastelum this past weekend with many believing it’s the best he’s ever looked in the UFC. The victory goes nicely alongside his recent successes against Darren Till and Jared Cannonier with many believing he’s the natural No. 1 contender at 185 pounds.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Augusto Sakai set as UFC Fight Night main event
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
A heavyweight bout between top-10 heavyweights Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai will headline a UFC Fight Night card in June. MMA reporter Marcelo Barone of Globo first reported that Sakai’s upcoming fight on May 1 against Shamil Adburakhimov was scrapped due to visa issues for the Russian. Instead of finding Sakai a new opponent for that card, the promotion has instead shifted Sakai to the main event showdown with Rozenstruik on June 5. The two top-10 ranked heavyweights will now meet for five rounds or less in a fight that likely won’t go the full five rounds.
Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler is ready to return, not “picky” about next opponent
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler says he is ready to return to the Octagon, and he says he will not “picky” about who his next opponent is. Lawler hasn’t fought since last summer when he dropped a unanimous decision to Neil Magny. “Ruthless” has actually lost his last four fights and five of his last six, which is a far cry from the championship form he displayed back in 2014 to 2016. Despite being on a losing skid, however, Lawler is not thinking about retirement anytime soon. In fact, the team Sanford MMA product says he is excited to return to the Octagon in short order.
Ben Askren reveals Nate Robinson reached out to him following KO loss to Jake Paul
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former MMA fighter-turned-boxer Ben Askren revealed that former NBA star Nate Robinson reached out to him following his KO loss to Jake Paul. Robinson, of course, was knocked out by Paul last November in Paul’s second professional boxing match. Robinson became a bit of an Internet meme following that loss, which was a devastating second-round KO, something that Askren himself is facing now that he’s been knocked out by Paul, too, having been finished by “The Problem Child” this past weekend.
Dana White reacts after Jake Paul KO's Ben Askren in the opening round: "Good for him"
Christopher Taylor - April 19, 2021
UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on Jake Paul after the YouTube sensation knocked out Ben Askren on Saturday night. Paul (3-0) returned to the squared circle on Saturday night in Atlanta for a scheduled eight-round boxing match with former MMA champion Ben Askren (19-2 MMA).
Bellator parts ways with 9 fighters including MMA veteran Roger Huerta
Christopher Taylor - April 19, 2021
Bellator has parted ways with a total of nine fighters including notable MMA veterans Roger Huerta and Brandon Girtz. Promotional officials told MMAJunkie on Monday that Bellator had released nine athletes from their current roster.