MMA News

Francisco-Rivera
UFC

Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returns after five-year layoff with brutal KO at XMMA

Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021

Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returned after a five-year layoff with a brutal KO win over Ryan Lilley at XMMA. Rivera previously fought for the UFC twice, in 2011 and then between 2012 and 2016. Overall, “Cisco” went 4-6, 1 NC in the UFC, with memorable knockout wins over Alex Caceres, George Roop, and Edwin Figueroa. However, after losing three straight fights between 2015 and 2016, the UFC released him after he failed a USADA drug test. USADA dropped the hammer on Rivera for using the banned substance clenbuterol, and he has been on the sidelines ever since July 2016.

Kamaru Usman, UFC 235
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman explains why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into UFC 258

Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman explained why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into his UFC 258 fight with Gilbert Burns. Usman takes on Burns on February 13 in the main event of UFC 258 in a title fight that previously fell apart twice, at UFC 256 and at UFC 258. Despite going 12-0 so far in the UFC, there are many experts who believe Burns will win this fight. It’s that kind of thinking that has the UFC welterweight champion Usman admitting that he still has the chip on his shoulder because he wants to be the best in the world, and he wants to get more respect for everything that he has accomplished in the game.

Frankie Edgar, Max Holloway, UFC, Conor McGregor
Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot

Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021

UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot. Next Saturday, Edgar and Sandhagen fight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs. Volkov, and there could be a 135lbs title shot on the line for the winner, especially with a great finish. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan takes on No. 1 contender Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in March and the winner of the Edgar vs. Sandhagen fight could very well get the winner of the title fight later this year.

James Vick
MMA News

Video | James Vick suffers another stoppage loss at XMMA

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Former UFC standout James Vick suffered his third consecutive stoppage loss at tonight’s XMMA event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Vick (13-6 MMA) became a free agent in October of 2019, this after the UFC opted against renewing his contract.

Matt Brown
Matt Brown

Matt Brown will not be retiring following his loss to Carlos Condit: "I think I can do a lot bigger things than I’ve ever done before”

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Fan favorite welterweight fighter Matt Brown will not be retiring following his recent unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit. Brown and Condit squared off in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 7 two weeks ago, with ‘The Natural Born Killer’ emerging victorious by way of judges decision.

Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns shares his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Soon to be welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns has shared his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards. Burns (19-3 MMA) is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC’s coveted welterweight championship in two weeks at UFC 258. ‘Durinho’ will enter the highly anticipated title bout on a six-fight winning streak. During that impressive stretch the Brazilian has scored victories over Oliver Aubin-Mercier, Mike Davis, Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and most recently Tyron Woodley.

Rory-MacDonald, Bellator 220
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Photo | Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal condition ahead of his PFL debut

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Former UFC title challenger and Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his PFL debut. MacDonald (21-6-1 MMA) signed with the Professional Fighters League following a six-fight stint with Bellator. “The Red King” is coming off a loss to Douglas Lima in his most recent effort, which occurred back in October of 2019. Prior to that setback, Rory MacDonald was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Neiman Gracie.

Dan Hooker, Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Dan Hooker takes to social media for the first time since being KO'd by Michael Chandler

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Dan Hooker has made his first social media appearance since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker (20-10 MMA) squared off with the former Bellator champion in the co-headliner of last weekend’s pay-per-view with hopes of spoiling Chandler’s Octagon debut.

KSW 58
MMA News

Video | Fighters go at it again after the decision is read at KSW 58

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Welterweight fighters Shamil Musaev and Uroš Jurišić went at it for a second time after their fight decision was read at KSW 58. The welterweight combatants went back and forth in an entertaining fight which wound up going the distance. In the end, Shamil Musaev defeated Uroš Jurišić by way of unanimous decision.

Dana White, UFC, Nick Diaz, Miguel Baeza
Jon Jones

Dana White shares his takes on greatest UFC fighter ever, best current fighter and which fighter could explode in 2021

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Dana White has shared his takes on greatest UFC fighter ever, best current fighter and which fighters career could explode in 2021. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, the UFC President was asked a number of rapid fire questions including who he thinks is the greatest UFC fighter of all time.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez, conor mcgregor
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Coach Javier Mendez shares some advice for his pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez has shared some advice for his star pupil in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. The Russian sensation cited the death of his Father as the reason for hanging up his gloves.

Ben Rothwell
MMA News

Ben Rothwell books his Octagon return against former PFL Heavyweight champion Philipe Lins

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Veteran heavyweight Ben Rothwell will make his return to the Octagon on March 13, in a location still to be determined by UFC officials. According to a report from Combate, ‘Big Ben’ is set to return to action against former PFL heavyweight champion Philipe Lins (14-5 MMA).

Henry Cejudo, Dana White
Dustin Poirier

Henry Cejudo reflects on his accomplishments, tells Conor McGregor to "take notes"

Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021

Former UFC ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo took time to reflect on his accomplishments today, this while telling Conor McGregor to take notes. Cejudo (16-2 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts following his TKO victory over former bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.  The win had marked Henry’s sixth in a row, as he had previously scored victories over Wilson Reis, Sergio Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw and Marlon Moraes.

Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Joe Rogan
Dustin Poirier

Video | Dustin Poirier's wife pays a visit to Conor McGregor's locker room following UFC 257

Christopher Taylor - January 29, 2021

Dustin Poirier’s wife Jolie paid a visit to Conor McGregor’s locker room immediately following the Irishman’s loss to her husband. Poirier and McGregor squared off for a second time in the main event of UFC 257, this after ‘Notorious’ had emerged victorious by way of first round TKO in their first encounter in 2014.

Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa

Michael Chiesa takes aim at Mario Yamasaki following news of his return to MMA refereeing

Christopher Taylor - January 29, 2021

Michael Chiesa took aim at Mario Yamasaki after the controversial referee announced his plans to return to mixed martial arts. Yamasaki has not worked as a referee since February of 2018, when he was on duty for a Fight Night in Belem, Brazil. Mario was the subject of much controversy that night, after he allowed Priscila Cachoeira to absorb a ton of unnecessary punishment in her bout with future UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

The-Korean-Zombie
Chan Sung Jung 'The Korean Zombie'

The Korean Zombie says he hit "rock bottom" and gained 20kgs following loss to Brian Ortega

Adam Martin - January 29, 2021

UFC featherweight fan-favorite The Korean Zombie admitted he hit “rock bottom” following his loss to Brian Ortega, gaining 20kgs as a result. The Korean Zombie took on Ortega in a No. 1 contender fight back in October. Despite entering the bout as the clear favorite following back-to-back knockout wins over Frankie Edgar and Renato Moicano, the Zombie was completely outclassed in the matchup. Ortega styled on Korean Zombie for 25 minutes, pitching a shutout en route to a unanimous decision win. Although Zombie has lost before, it was never in this fashion. Before Ortega, no one had truly ever dominated him in that manner.

Anthony-Rocco-Martin
UFC

Anthony Rocco Martin becomes latest fighter to exit UFC roster

Adam Martin - January 29, 2021

Anthony Rocco Martin has become the latest fighter to exit the UFC roster as he announced on Friday he has parted ways with the organization. Martin has been in the UFC since 2014, racking up a winning record of 9-6 in the world’s leading MMA promotion. He told MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King that he and the UFC decided to mutually part ways after wrapping up the final fight of his contract with a decision loss to Neil Magny at UFC 250. That fight happened back in June, but the UFC recently revealed it was purging 60 fighters from the roster. It sounds like Martin didn’t make the cut, but the veteran said he’s looking forward to free agency.

Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez

Eddie Alvarez believes Conor McGregor needs to become "hungry and motivated" like he was in 2015 and 2016

Cole Shelton - January 29, 2021

Eddie Alvarez believes his former foe, Conor McGregor, needs to become hungry like he was before he became a UFC champion. Before McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo, beat Alvarez to become a champ-champ, and boxed Floyd Mayweather, the Irishman fought often. His only source of income was fighting which made him hungry and motivated.