MMA News
Mike Jackson, former CM Punk opponent, reportedly set for UFC return against Dean Barry
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Mike Jackson, one of the two men to fight pro wrestling legend CM Punk, is reportedly set to return to the UFC’s Octagon. According to Mike Heck of MMA Fighting, Jackson has been tasked with welcoming Ireland’s Dean Barry to the Octagon. The fight will reportedly go down on January 20 on Fight Island.
Michael Chiesa, Neil Magny slated for January 20 fight, could "serve as backup" for Edwards vs. Chimaev
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Ranked welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny have reportedly agreed to fight on January 20 on Fight Island. While this is a big fight for the welterweight division in its own right, either of the two men could apparently get the call to step in should Leon Edwards or Khamzat Chimaev fail to make it to the cage for the card’s main event.
Angela Hill makes gingerbread house inspired by Conor McGregor's bus attack
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
UFC strawweight contender Angela Hill got creative with her gingerbread house this year, drawing inspiration from one of the most infamous moments in recent UFC history. In reality, Hill’s gingerbread house is actually more of a gingerbread bus, accompanied by gingerbread versions of Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dana White and Artem Lobov.
Shana Dobson reacts after officially pulling off biggest UFC upset of 2020
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Shana Dobson reacted after officially pulling off the biggest betting upset in the Octagon during 2020. Back in August, Dobson pulled off the upset in UFC history according to the odds when she defeated top prospect Mariya Agapova via second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 7. While upsets such as Matt Serra beating Georges St. Pierre or Holly Holm defeating Ronda Rousey might be bigger upsets due to their name value, the +1150 underdog odds on Dobson made her the biggest underdog winner ever in the UFC, and one of the biggest ever all-time in MMA.
Daniel Cormier believes Anthony Pettis will part ways with UFC, sign with Bellator MMA
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes that former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will soon take his services to the Bellator MMA cage. Pettis last fought on the undercard of UFC Vegas 17 last weekend, when he picked up an impressive, decision triumph over the rising Alex Morono. With that win, Pettis fulfilled the final obligation on his latest UFC contract.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Thiago Santos UFC 259 opening betting odds released
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming light heavyweight bout between Aleksandar Rakic and Thiago Santos at UFC 259. In a battle between two of the top-five light heavyweights in the UFC, Rakic meets Santos in a three-round fight on the undercard of UFC 259 on March 6 in Las Vegas. We do not yet have an official main event for this card, but whispers are that Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngnannou may headline the event. The promotion also recently added UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson as the co-main event.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on what it will take for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again: "I don't think it's going to be money"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on what will need to happen for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again. Nurmagomedov last fought at UFC 254 in October, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje, improving his record to 29-0 in the process. In his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, Nurmagomedov shocked viewers by announcing his retirement from MMA.
UFC confirms return to Fight Island with stacked "triple header week"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that his promotion will return to Fight Island—Yas Island in Abu Dhabi—in January of the New Year. While this is not exactly new information, the UFC had not made the plan official until Tuesday, when White shared a promotional poster for the first three events back on Fight Island, which will all go down in the same week.
Jose Aldo opens up on the new chest tattoo he showcased at UFC Vegas 17
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo has opened up on the temporary chest tattoo he showed off at UFC Vegas 17. Aldo was able to snap a three-fight losing streak last weekend as he picked up a comprehensive unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera. Many fans spotted a new tattoo on Aldo’s chest that turned out to be temporary, with the Brazilian using it to pay tribute to a special forces unit in the Brazilian Navy who he had trained with in the post.
Michael Bisping believes Tony Ferguson needs to “accept that he’s on the decline” following UFC 256
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC veteran Michael Bisping believes that Tony Ferguson needs to accept he is beginning a decline after two consecutive defeats. Many fans had been left to wonder what kind of impact there would be on Ferguson after his heavy loss to Justin Gaethje earlier on in the year. Now, after he was also beaten Charles Oliveira, the speculation continues to grow.
Deiveson Figueiredo believes Brandon Moreno draw at UFC 256 should have been clear victory
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
At UFC 256, Deiveson Figueiredo once again walked away with his flyweight title around his waist… but he didn’t pick up the victory against Brandon Moreno. Brazil’s “Deus de Garra” made history with the quickest turnaround in UFC history for a champion. Headlining UFC 255 in November defending his title for the first time, Figueiredo defeated Alex Perez via first-round guillotine. Three weeks later, he attempted to do so once again.
Dana White and UFC release video response to those critical of the promotion holding events during pandemic
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
Dana White has seemingly never been a fan of the media. But in 2020, the heat intensified for the UFC boss and that was on full display in a video he released Monday. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that saw the world shut down, including the UFC’s operations, it left many wondering when things would start back up. For White and company, he never wanted to stop in the first place and was, in turn, met with backlash by many for his potential recklessness.
UFC targeting Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for March, winner expected to fight Jon Jones this summer
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou will be running it back. Ever since Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 242 in the trilogy, talk of the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou intensified. Now, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is planning on having two pay-per-views in March with one being headlined by Miocic vs. Ngannou and the other being Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz.
Rose Namajunas responds to Dana White’s claim that she does not want a title shot
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas has responded to UFC president Dana White’s claims that she does not want a title shot. Namajunas defeated Jessica Andrade on Fight Island in a “Fight of the Night” performance that earned her the next title shot against UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. That fight was initially expected to take place in early 2021. However, UFC president Dana White recently said that Namajunas doesn’t want the fight with Zhang and the UFC is now considering giving the next title shot at 115lbs to Carla Esparza instead.
What's next for Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal after UFC Vegas 17?
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, Stephen Thompson took on rising contender Geoff Neal. Thompson was looking to cement his case as a top-five welterweight while Neal was set for the biggest fight of his career. Ultimately, it was “Wonderboy” who won every single round to get a clear-cut decision and prove to everyone he is still a contender at 170lbs.
Daniel Cormier says he should've retired after beating Derrick Lewis and having back surgery: "It was over"
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes he should’ve ended his career after UFC 230. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Cormier defended his heavyweight title for the first and only time as he submitted Derrick Lewis. However, after the event, “DC” was forced to have a back surgery but decided to fight two more times against Stipe Miocic and lost both.
Conor McGregor reveals UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy is highest-selling PPV of 2020
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed that UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy has been confirmed as the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view of 2020. Initially, it appeared that UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal was the highest-selling PPV at 1.3 million buys. However, McGregor posted a photo on his social media on Monday showing a letter from the UFC indicating that UFC 246 sold 1,353,429 PPVs, which means it would edge out the 1.3 million number that UFC 251 did. McGregor, ever the salesman, took to his Twitter to share the news that he and Cerrone are the highest-selling PPV of the year.
Marcin Tybura issues statement after stopping Greg Hardy
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Marcin Tybura has issued a statement after his victory over Greg Hardy at UFC Vegas 17 last weekend. Tybura met Hardy on the event’s main card. The Polish heavyweight ended up scoring a decisive win in the over the former NFL player, strafing his exhausted foe from top position to set up a second-round TKO.