MMA News
Brian Ortega won't feel like a UFC champion until he beats Max Holloway in a rematch
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC featherweight title contender Brian Ortega says that he won’t feel like a UFC champion until he beats Max Holloway in a rematch. Ortega and Holloway previously met at UFC 231 in December 2018. At the time, Ortega was an undefeated fighter who many thought would give then-featherweight champion Holloway problems. However, that didn’t prove to be the case at all as Holloway absolutely pieced apart Ortega with his striking attack before finally forcing a doctor stoppage at the end of the fourth round. It was an incredible win by Holloway, while for Ortega it was one of those eye-opening types of fights that led him to realize he needed to make changes.
Junior dos Santos files appeal regarding TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 256
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos has officially filed an appeal regarding his TKO loss to Ciryl Gane back at UFC 256. Dos Santos was recently cut by the UFC after losing four straight fights, the last which came against Gane at UFC 256. In that fight, Gane hit JDS with an elbow that appeared to potentially land on the back of his head. However, referee Jerin Valel did not call a foul and the fight was declared a TKO win for Gane. JDS was not happy about the loss and vented about his frustrations with the result of the fight immediately following the contest, but it wasn’t enough to save his job. After 13 years of being with the world’s leading MMA promotion, JDS was released, and he’s not thrilled the cut came after the loss to Gane.
Patricio Pitbull trashes Tapology for ranking him 21st at featherweight: "You're awful"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull trashed Tapology for ranking him as the 21st-best featherweight in the sport. Tapology is one of the top resources in the world of mixed martial arts. The website has an incredible record-keeping system in MMA and is generally regarded as the top MMA database going right now. However, Pitbull has a bone to pick with them about the site’s ranking systems. Tapology has its own rankings system where it ranks the best fighters in the world by division regardless of promotion. It’s worth noting that registered users submit their rankings, so it’s not Tapology itself that is doing the rankings, but MMA fans.
Jan Blachowicz knows he is better everywhere than Glover Teixeira, eyes heavyweight move after two or three more title defenses
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Jan Blachowicz knows his next opponent will be Glover Teixeira. After Blachowicz beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 to defend his belt for the first time, he knew that Teixeira would be his next opponent. Blachowicz knows the Brazilian deserves the next title shot based on the strength of his five straight wins in the UFC, but when the two rivals do meet, the champ is confident he will be better everywhere than Teixeira.
Justin Bieber, Ice Cube and more to perform at Triller’s ‘Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul event
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2021
Justin Bieber and Ice Cube are amongst the names scheduled to perform at the Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul event on Triller next month. The boxing showdown between the YouTuber and MMA star has been gaining a lot of traction in recent months and now, it appears as if the four-hour spectacle is being turned into quite the concert.
Eddie Alvarez shares advice with Conor McGregor ahead of Dustin Poirier trilogy: "He needs to harden himself as a man"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez shared advice with MMA superstar Conor McGregor, saying “he needs to harden himself as a man.” Alvarez was actually McGregor’s last and only win in the UFC as a lightweight. The two met in the main event of UFC 205 in November 2016, with McGregor knocking Alvarez out to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Since that time, Alvarez has taken his talents to ONE Championship, while McGregor continues to be one of the UFC’s biggest stars. However, McGregor is coming off of a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, and it was the kind of loss that has led to a number of his peers giving advice to him.
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of "29-and-Chandler"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of “29-and-Chandler.” Chandler is one of the top lightweights in the world who is currently vying for a chance to win the UFC’s 155lbs belt, one that is currently held by Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian has said for the last six months now that he is planning on hanging up his gloves. That hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from trying his best to convince Nurmagomedov to fight again, but so far we haven’t heard one way or another his plans.
Jon Jones reveals new 245lbs frame following cardio training at heavyweight
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones revealed his new 245lbs frame following cardio training at heavyweight with his coaches at Jackson Wink MMA. Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title last summer after nearly a decade at the top of the weight class, with an eye on a move to the heavyweight division in 2020. For the last six months, we have seen videos of Jones bulking up in anticipation of his move to the UFC’s heaviest weight class. “Bones” recently showed a video of him living the 252lbs life and doing some striking training with coach Mike Winkeljohn. Some fans were critical of Jones in that video, saying that the former light heavyweight champ looked too slow. Well, it appears as though Jones has lost a little bit of weight sign then, as he’s 245lbs now. All the hard work and training are paying off as the legend appears to be in fantastic shape.
Photo | Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of UFC 260 rematch with Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. Miocic and Ngannou are set to square off for the UFC heavyweight title for a second time on March 27 in Las Vegas.
Israel Adesanya confirms Darren Till will be next if he can defeat Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Israel Adesanya has confirmed he will be fighting Darren Till next if the Liverpool native can defeat Marvin Vettori at next month’s UFC on ABC 2 event. The UFC’s reigning middleweight champion, Adesanya (20-1 MMA), suffered that first loss of his mixed martial arts career earlier this month to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. ‘Stylebender’ had jumped up a weight class in order to challenge the Polish champion, but ultimately fell victim to a unanimous decision loss.
Rampage Jackson speaks out in support of Hans Molenkamp: 'He can't just cancel your contract'
Drake Riggs - March 17, 2021
Since Dominick Cruz alleged that Hans Molenkamp has been enforcing some questionable antics regarding his dealings with Monster Energy sponsorships, he’s gained support from many in the community. However, light heavyweight legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson doesn’t feel it’s warranted. A longtime Monster-sponsored athlete, Rampage shared his thoughts on the recent claims surrounding the company executive.
Georges St-Pierre heaps praise on current UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman: "He’s raising the bar"
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre has shared some extremely high praise for reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. St-Pierre (26-2 MMA) is a former UFC ‘champ champ’ and is considered by most fans and pundits to be the greatest welterweight of all-time. During his reign atop the promotions welterweight division, ‘GSP’ defended his title nine times in a row. The Canadian superstar would eventually vacate the strap in November of 2013 following a narrow victory over Johny Hendricks.
Alexander Volkanovski says no one gets "spoiled" like Max Holloway does, wants to get paid big money for trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski believes the UFC spoils Max Holloway like no one else on the roster. After Holloway earned a dominant decision win over Calvin Kattar, Dana White said the Hawaiian would get the next title shot against the winner of Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. However, Volkanovski believes Holloway is getting spoiled by getting a third crack at him.
Stephen Thompson expects Jorge Masvidal to beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 261
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Stephen Thompson believes Jorge Masvidal will become the new welterweight champion at UFC 261. In the main event of the card, Masvidal is getting his rematch against Kamaru Usman, not even a year after losing to him at UFC 251. However, Jorge took the previous fight on just days’ notice and had to fly to Abu Dhabi and cut a bunch of weight. For Thompson, he believes a full camp will allow Masvidal to put up a better fight.
Kevin Holland claims Israel Adesanya is a "true loser" after UFC 259 defeat
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Kevin Holland says Israel Adesanya is a true loser now that he has been beaten in MMA, kickboxing, and boxing. In the main event of UFC 259, Adesanya moved up to light heavyweight against Jan Blachowicz to try and become a champ-champ. Unfortunately for Adesanya, he lost a decision, and for Holland, he says that just cements his claim that “The Last Stylebender” is a true loser.
Max Griffin expects to finish Kenan Song: "I will thrash this guy"
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Max Griffin believes Kenan Song is the perfect opponent for him to look good against. On the main card of UFC Vegas 22 on March 20, Griffin is set to return against Song. Although Griffin wanted to return sooner, the birth of his son forced him to postpone the contest from UFC 259 to this card.
Aljamain Sterling fires back at "dirty dickhead" Petr Yan, called "softest fighter on UFC roster"
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling called Petr Yan a “dirty dickhead” as the two rivals got into a war of words on social media. Sterling and Yan’s 135lbs title fight at UFC 259 ended in controversy when the former champion nailed “Funk Master” in the head with an illegal knee in the fourth round, which left the challenger unable to continue. For the first time in UFC history, a title changed hands via DQ after referee Mark Smith deemed the foul international and Yan was disqualified. Sterling was, therefore, declared the winner and he’s now the champion.
GSP offers advice to Conor McGregor following his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC welterweight GSP offered some advice to Conor McGregor following his recent knockout loss to rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. GSP is one of the most highly-respected MMA fighters of all time, so anytime he gives advice you have to listen to it. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, GSP was asked what McGregor can do to get back on track after getting knocked out by Poirier in his last fight. GSP, who himself experienced the rags-to-riches story of being a garbage man in Montreal to becoming a wealthy and famous athlete and movie star, decided to give some sage advice to the Irishman about how to turn his career back around.