MMA News
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.
Video | Nate Diaz releases new training footage with Nick Diaz from 2020 quarantine
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
Ahead of his return to the UFC Octagon in 2021, Nate Diaz released new training footage with his brother Nick Diaz from the 2020 quarantine. Neither Diaz brother fought at all in 2020, but they haven’t been wasting their time. In a video posted to the official Nate Diaz YouTube channel, the welterweight superstar shared a video of him training with his brother Nick during the 2020 quarantine. Both men look to be in fantastic shape during the video as they each gear up for a big comeback in 2021.
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.
Jake Paul slams "coward" Dillon Danis for being scared to fight him and turning down a "life-changing offer"
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Jake Paul doesn’t believe that Dillon Danis actually wants to fight him. Paul and Danis have been taken shots at one another as of late and many fans hoped we would seem the box one another. Bellator president, Scott Coker also said he would allow Danis to box the 23-year-old YouTuber, but according to Paul, the fight offer was never returned.
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.
Mackenzie Dern gets quick turnaround, slated for fight with returning Nina Ansaroff
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
Rising UFC strawweight star Mackenzie Dern is expected to return the Octagon against established contender Nina Ansaroff on April 10. News of this bout was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the official broadcast partner of the UFC.
Kevin Holland slams TJ Dillashaw for claiming ownership of bantamweight belt
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland was not impressed by a recent comment from former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. Dillashaw ruled over the UFC bantamweight division for several years, but was stripped of that title in early 2019, after he tested positive for the injectable-only performance-enhancing drug Erythropoietin (EPO). The former champion’s indiscretion caused him to be suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, but that suspension will soon be over.
Jose Aldo calls TJ Dillashaw's past drug test failures "just a mistake," still considers him a champion
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC legend Jose Aldo called TJ Dillashaw’s past drug test failures “a mistake” and says he still considers him a champion in MMA. Dillashaw has not fought since January 2019 when he suffered a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Following that fight, Dillashaw tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and he has missed the last two years of action. Next month, Dillashaw will finally be able to return to the Octagon after serving his two-year USADA suspension, and already several UFC fighters have called him out for his return.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Li Jingliang added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
An intriguing welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Li Jingliang has been added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar. MMAFighting.com was the first to confirm that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will take place on the UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar card, which is set to take place on January 16 on Fight Island. It seems likely that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will be placed on the main card considering it features two former top-15 welterweights who are exciting.
Jake Paul claims $50M fight offer is being discussed with Conor McGregor's team: "We've got proof of funds"
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
YouTuber turned boxing star Jake Paul claims that his team is in discussions with Conor McGregor’s over a $50M fight offer. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world after he picked up a brutal knockout victory over former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard last month.
Photo | TJ Dillashaw is looking jacked one month away from UFC eligibility
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2020
TJ Dillashaw seems to be in the best shape of his career as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to the UFC next year. Dillashaw, who was suspended for two years by USADA after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO) after his January 2019 loss to Henry Cejudo, has been receiving a number of call-outs as the former champion attempts to come back and reclaim the Bantamweight Championship that he technically never lost.
SUG 19 Results: Bader defeats Rumble, Cerrone submits RDA
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2020
Ryan Bader and Donald Cerrone picked up big wins in what proved to be an entertaining night of action at Submission Underground 19. Chael Sonnen’s SUG promotion has been able to draw in some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts over the years, and that trend continued last night as several current and former UFC & Bellator stars hit the ground for some fun grappling exchanges.
Photo | Stephen Thompson shows off facial cuts from war with Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson showed off his facial cuts following his war against Geoff Neal in the UFC Vegas 17 main event. Despite entering the Octagon as the slight betting underdog to Neal based on closing odds, Thompson won the fight in a blowout, winning 50-45 on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Thompson showed that there are levels to this game as he stayed on the outside and landed nearly 200 significant strikes on Neal, who showed incredible durability by going the full five rounds in what was a shutout win for Thompson.
Anthony Pettis credits cutting down on drinking as key to recent UFC success
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says that cutting down on drinking has been a key to his recent success in the Octagon. Pettis defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 17 for his second straight win after beating Donald Cerrone at UFC 249. Considering that Pettis began his year with a submission loss to Diego Ferreira at UFC 246, ending the year with back-to-back wins over Cerrone and Morono showed that he still has the ability to win fights at the highest level of the sport. Following the win over Morono, Pettis is now a free agent and figures to test the free-agent market but says the UFC is his preferred destination.