MMA News
Jim Miller returns at UFC 258, takes on fellow veteran Bobby Green
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
A lightweight bout between veterans Jim Miller and Bobby Green is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC 258 pay-per-view card. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report that UFC 258 will receive the Miller vs. Green bout. The card takes place on February 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns. The co-main event was originally a middleweight rematch between Uriah Hall and Chris Weidman, and after that fight fell apart, the promotion scrambled to get a new addition added to the card, and the Miller vs. Green bout was the fight added.
Michael Chiesa still hoping for Colby Covington fight, also up for matchup with "Wonderboy"
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Surging UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa is still hoping to fight Colby Covington next, but he’d also be up for a fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Chiesa last fought at UFC Fight Island 8 in January, when he picked up an impressive decision victory over Neil Magny. After that fight, he set his sights on Colby Covington, a dedicated Donald Trump supporter, with a politicized callout.
Video | Ben Askren lets his hands go on Jake Paul punching bag
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren is already breaking in his customized Jake Paul-inspired punching bag. Earlier this week, Askren unveiled a custom-made punching bag adorned with Paul’s mug, which will no doubt help him prepare for his April 17 boxing match with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Darren Till refutes Uriah Hall's claim about Israel Adesanya's competition: "He's fought all killers"
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Darren Till has gone to bat for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after a recent criticism from his fellow contender Uriah Hall. Hall, the UFC’s No. 8-ranked middleweight, recently expressed his belief that Adesanya has been competing against subpar opposition of his own volition.
Calvin Kattar's head coach explains why he didn't throw in towel during Max Holloway fight
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Tyson Chartier, the head coach behind UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar, has explained why he didn’t throw in the towel during his fighter’s lopsided decision loss to Max Holloway. Holloway and Kattar met in the main event of UFC Fight Island 7 on January 16. Though Kattar entered the matchup with quite a bit of hype attached to his name, he was soundly beaten by the former featherweight champion over five rounds, absorbing north of 400 strikes the in process.
Mike Perry issues apology for his previous use of the N-word
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021
UFC star Mike Perry has issued an apology for ever using the N-word, indicating that he will never do so again. It’s safe to say that Perry is probably one of the most polarizing figures in all of mixed martial arts, and as we look ahead to the future, it doesn’t really feel like that trend is going to change anytime soon.
Neil Magny vows to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight following recent troll job
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021
UFC welterweight Neil Magny has vowed to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight in the wake of the latter’s trolling on social media. At one point a few months back it seemed like Magny and Chimaev could end up facing off against each other, but in the end, that didn’t come to fruition and Magny was instead booked to fight Michael Chiesa on Fight Island.
Justin Gaethje shares interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won't fight Michael Chandler
Christopher Taylor - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje has shared an interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won’t fight fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. The former interim UFC lightweight champion, Gaethje (22-3 MMA), believes ‘The Diamond’ is taking a stance against Dana White in order to bring integrity back to the sport.
Ali Abdelaziz deletes tweet confirming Khabib vs GSP, shares another post denying rumor
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2021
A super-fight fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov has been mooted for a long time. Is something finally brewing? Judging by Ali Abdelaziz’s twitter feed, that could well be the case.
Georges St-Pierre 'might be getting ready for' Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, says Kenny Florian
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has made it abundantly clear who the perfect man to get him to 30-0 would be, and that’s none other than Georges St-Pierre. On a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast hosted by UFC commentator Jon Anik and retired UFC title challenger Kenny Florian, “KenFlo” shared some interesting insight.
Jorge Masvidal issues scathing response after Kamaru Usman suggests he wants to run things back after fighting with a broken nose
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has responded to Kamaru Usman after he said he would like to run things back. At UFC 251, Masvidal stepped up on a weeks’ notice to battle Usman for the welterweight title. “Gamebred” didn’t have a training camp and in the first round had some success. However, Usman used his wrestling and clinch to win the last four rounds and defend his title.
Ali Abdelaziz confirms Justin Gaethje open to fighting Michael Chandler
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Michael Chandler for his next fight inside the Octagon. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov set to retire any day now and vacate his belt in the process, the race for the next lightweight title fight has become fierce. Dustin Poirier seems to be the heir to the throne following his knockout win over Conor McGregor, but he said this week that right now he is willing to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. That means fighters like Gaethje, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira are all in the mix for the next vacant lightweight title fight.
Justin Gaethje believes Tony Ferguson was never an "elite lightweight"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson was ever an elite lightweight. At UFC 249, Gaethje took on Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. Ferguson entered the fight on a 12-fight winning streak and many thought “El Cucuy” would win. However, that was far from what happened as Gaethje pieced up Ferguson on the feet and won by TKO in the fifth round.
Michael Chandler wants Justin Gaethje next to prove who's the most violent fighter in the UFC
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler is hoping to prove he’s the most violent fighter in the UFC and to do that he knows he needs to face Justin Gaethje. When Gaethje and Alvarez fought at UFC 218, many fans said the fight would determine who is the most violent fighter in the UFC. Alvarez ended up winning the fight by TKO, but after he left the promotion, and Gaethje went on a KO streak and many considered him the most violent man in the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Dustin Poirier knows Nate Diaz fight doesn't make sense but wants it to happen: "Those are the kind of fights I want to be part of"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Dustin Poirier is interested in fighting Nate Diaz. After Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Diaz chimed in on Twitter calling for him to face Poirier. They were supposed to fight at UFC 230, and although it doesn’t make sense from a rankings perspective, “The Diamond” admits those are the kind of fights he is interested in.
Abu Azaitar suspended for seven months by USADA
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
UFC middleweight Abu Azaitar was suspended for seven months by USADA after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. USADA announced the suspension on Monday. According to the drug-test organization, Azaitar failed four separate drug tests due to the banned substance tamoxifen. However, because he was forthcoming about the banned substances in his system and was able to prove that a doctor had prescribed the substance, USADA worked with him to lessen the sanction. In the end, USADA decided on a seven-month sanction, dating back to the date of the first positive test in August 2020. Therefore, Azaitar will be able to return to the Octagon in March.
Charles Oliveira reportedly declines UFC 258 non-title fight with Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
Charles Oliveira has reportedly turned down a short-notice offer to meet Michael Chandler in a non-title fight on the upcoming UFC 258 card. UFC 258 is scheduled for February 13 in Las Vegas. According to a report from AG Fight, the UFC attempted to schedule a last-minute lightweight contender fight between Oliveira and Chandler for the rapidly approaching card, but Oliveira declined because there would be no title up for grabs.
Dan Hooker opens up on Chandler loss, reveals why he removed gloves in the cage
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has opened up on his loss to Michael Chandler, and revealed why he removed his gloves in the Octagon post-fight. Hooker met Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 257 last month. The bout was Chandler’s first in the UFC after a prolonged stint in Bellator, and Hooker was viewed as a tough welcome committee.