MMA News
Austin Vanderford sheds light on nude photo series with Paige VanZant
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2021
Bellator fighter Austin Vanderford has shed some light on the series of nude photos he’s posted on social media alongside his wife Paige VanZant. The world is a fairly bleak place right now based on the ongoing surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, we need to take a step back from time to time in order to enjoy some of the more light-hearted stories within the media.
Dan Hooker on Michael Chandler: 'They want him to come in and look like the man'
Drake Riggs - January 5, 2021
Dan Hooker fully understands the position he’s in as he gets ready to welcome Michael Chandler to the Octagon at UFC 257 on Jan. 23. In September, it was announced that the former three-time Bellator lightweight king in Chandler had signed with the UFC. Initially acting as the backup to the title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, “Iron Mike” now has a date with a “Hangman” to start his new promotional tenure.
Diego Sanchez calls out James Krause for 'talking bad' on mentor Josh Fabia
Drake Riggs - January 5, 2021
James Krause isn’t the first person in the MMA world to have an opinion on Diego Sanchez’s coach, Josh Fabia — now they’ve agreed to fight. After catching wind of Krause’s comments regarding the “clown” Fabia, Sanchez was none too pleased. As a result, “The Nightmare” took to Instagram where he sent Krause a direct message challenging him to a bout. Never one to back down, Krause accepted and noted that Fabia could “get this work” as well.
Dana White reveals former UFC champion Shogun Rua has retired
Cole Shelton - January 5, 2021
Shogun Rua is officially retired, according to Dana White. After Rua lost to Paul Craig at UFC 255, many thought that would be it for the Brazilian MMA legend but there was no formal retirement. Now, however, on an ESPN+ livestream, Dana White has revealed Rua has retired.
Deiveson Figueiredo gets UFC pay-per-view points going forward, says manager
Adam Martin - January 5, 2021
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will receive pay-per-view points in his contract going forward, says his manager Wallid Ismail. Figueiredo has been open about his desire for a better contract in the wake of his incredible 2020 that has seen him crowned as “Fighter of the Year” by many MMA analysts. The Brazilian went 3-0-1 last year, with two wins over Joseph Benavidez by stoppage, a quick finish over Alex Perez, and an absolute war with Brandon Moreno that was a “Fight of the Year” candidate in itself. However, Figueiredo wasn’t getting pay-per-view points for those bouts.
Darina Mazdyuk plans 'to conquer Bellator' after becoming viral sensation
Drake Riggs - January 5, 2021
An unbelievable amount of ridiculousness ensued throughout 2020 the further along we all got in the year. To perfectly summarize 2020 with a capper, the MMA world provided us with an intergender openweight exhibition bout in November pitting Russia’s Darina Mazdyuk vs. the 500-plus pound YouTuber, Grigory Chistyakov (also known as Grisha Polnoe). Mazdyuk, 28, is a solid prospect who has competed in the 135-pound bantamweight and 145-pound featherweight divisions. However, up until her viral first-round TKO victory, the 4-1 pro was a virtual unknown outside of Russia’s regional scene.
Video | Ronda Rousey goes beast mode in the gym in new Mizuno clothing commercial
Adam Martin - January 5, 2021
UFC women’s legend Ronda Rousey went beast mode in the gym in a new commercial where she shows off her featured clothing line with Mizuno. Rousey, one of the greatest women’s MMA fighters of all time, was last seen with the WWE. But she was back in the gym doing some mixed martial arts training once again in a commercial for the new “Mizuno X Ronda Rousey Training Collection.” Along with showing off her MMA skills, Rousey went all out and showed off her incredible athleticism by doing gymnastics and strength and conditioning. Watch the commercial below (via @RondaRousey).
Leon Edwards claims he tried fight on January 20, and Chimaev "straight after," but UFC refused
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Leon Edwards claims he wanted to fight Michael Chiesa or Neil Magny on January 20, and then Khamzat Chimaev immediately after, but the UFC wasn’t on board. Edwards was originally scheduled to fight Chimaev in the main event of the January 20 card, which will go down on Fight Island. Regrettably, Chimaev was forced out of the matchup due to lingering health issues stemming from a COVID-19 infection.
Andrei Arlovski returns to the Octagon on February 20 against Tom Aspinall
Adam Martin - January 5, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski returns to the Octagon on February 20 against rising prospect Tom Aspinall. On Tuesday, Arlovski vs. Aspinall i was officially announced for the February 20 card, which is headlined by a five-round heavyweight contest between top-five contenders Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes. It’s a great matchup between a former champion in the Belarusian Arlovski and a rising star in the Brit Aspinall.
Demetrious Johnson admits he's "always had problems" with foes like Adriano Moraes
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson admits he’s always had a bit of difficulty with fighters like his next opponent, Adriano Moraes. Johnson, widely regarded as the best fighter ever, is slated to challenge Moraes for the ONE Championship flyweight title on February 24.
5 fights that could happen in the PFL in 2021
bjpenndotcom - January 5, 2021
There’s a lot to look forward to when the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for its third season in April of 2021. While the PFL takes pride in its unique, seasonal format, its top attraction will always be the fights. To have great fights, you need great fighters, and that’s something that the PFL has in spades.
Dillon Danis says Khabib Nurmagomedov grappling match would be "easy work"
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Dillon Danis says a grappling match with undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would be “easy work.” Nurmagomedov, who recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, is widely considered one of the best grapplers in the history of the sport. Yet Danis, a decorated Brazilian jiu jitsu blackbelt, believes he could make quick work of the unbeaten Russian in a straight grappling match.
Michael Chandler believes he can "entice" Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement with right strategy at UFC 257
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Michael Chandler believes he might be able to “entice” Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement if he employs the right strategy in his UFC debut. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, is slated to make his first steps into the Octagon at UFC 257, when he’ll take on New Zealand’s Dan Hooker.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns gets new date, goes down at UFC 258
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
A long-awaited welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns has a new date. It’s now scheduled for UFC 258 on February 12. News of this bout was first reported by Combate and has now been confirmed by MMA Fighting.
Scott Coker on recent UFC releases: 'I think we're a better fit for those guys'
Drake Riggs - January 4, 2021
The tail-end of 2020 saw the UFC make some surprising releases from their roster. In turn, that led to Bellator President Scott Coker picking them up. To the surprise of many, several names within the larger weight classes parted ways with the UFC this past year. All of which have since joined their counterpart in Bellator MMA. Most notably these names include perennial top light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson, and former UFC title challengers, Yoel Romero, and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
Tony Ferguson reflects on tough year, promises "biggest and meanest" version of 'El Cucuy' in 2021
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson reflected on what was a tough year for him in 2020, promising to be “biggest and meanest” in 2021. Ferguson had a very tough year in 2020 for various reasons. The calendar started off with Ferguson being booked to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Brooklyn back in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant that fight fell apart for the fifth time. Instead of getting his dream matchup against Nurmagomedov, Ferguson instead fought Justin Gaethje for the interim belt at UFC 249 and he suffered a vicious fifth-round TKO defeat.
Ben Askren trolls Bellator for having no 2021 events currently scheduled
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
Former Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren trolled his former promotion for not having any events booked for its 2021 schedule yet. The calendar just turned to 2021 and Bellator is looking to keep up its momentum after a strong end to 2020 following a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once Bellator returned to action in the summer, the promotion ran events from a bubble at the Mohegan and finished strong with a number of the promotion’s biggest stars fighting. Ahead of the 2021 season, Bellator has created more excitement by signing several big-name free agents.
Dana White sends warning to fight fans planning to illegally stream UFC 257
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2021
Dana White has sent a warning to any fight fans that plan on illegally streaming UFC 257. In the main event of UFC 257, Conor McGregor is set to face Dustin Poirier in a highly-anticipated fight. The event will do massive pay-per-view numbers but illegal streams have been a problem for combat sports so White plans on putting an end to that.