MMA News
Watch Tony Ferguson’s live reaction as Khabib Nurmagomedov announces his retirement
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
Cameras were on UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson when Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA following UFC 254. Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have a long history between each other that dates back nearly a decade. The two have been connected to five fights in the past, but they all fell through for various issues. Freak injuries, bad timing, and even the coronavirus pandemic led this dream matchup to fizzle five times. Despite the apparent jinx on making his bout, both Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have said that the fight could still happen one day. However, Nurmagomedov’s apparent retirement changes things.
Dana White says double weight cut "impacted" Tony Ferguson in loss to Justin Gaethje
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes that a double weight cut “impacted” Tony Ferguson when he lost by knockout to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Ferguson was originally set to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov back in April. However, the event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, yet Ferguson decided to stay on schedule and make weight. The UFC was then able to hold an event in May in Jacksonville and Ferguson was matched up against Gaethje. Ferguson cut weight for a second time in a short period of time and then suffered the worst loss of his UFC career as he was beaten to the punch and TKOed in the fifth.
Dana White names the fight he wants to see most in 2021: "It’s impossible for me not to love Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya"
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has named the fight he’s most hoping to see in the New Year, and it’s unlikely that many fans are going to disagree with him. During a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of TSN, White was asked to name one fight, above all others, that he’s hoping will come together in 2021. After a moment of consideration, he had his answer ready.
Peter Barrett expects to KO Chase Hooper in the first: "He blocks punches with his face"
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2020
Peter Barrett believes the UFC and Chase Hooper made a mistake by taking this fight. At UFC 256, Hooper is set to return to the Octagon after his first career loss to battle Barrett, who lost his promotional debut earlier this year. However, for the 34-year-old in Barrett, he believes the UFC is rooting for Hooper to win as they have high expectations for him.
Conor McGregor will KO Dustin Poirier in the first round again, according to Artem Lobov
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2020
Artem Lobov believes Conor McGregor will beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 the same way he did at UFC 178. Back in 2014, McGregor was making his rise up the featherweight division and scored a first-round KO over Poirier. The Irishman said he would do exactly that, but at UFC 257 they are rematching at lightweight with many believing it will be a more competitive fight.
Dana White estimates current market value of the UFC is "probably nine or ten" billion
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims the UFC is now worth nine or ten billion dollars—a massive increase from the amount the promotion sold for in 2016. The UFC was sold by Zuffa LLC to WME-IMG in 2016 for a heaping $4 billion. Since then, the promotion has staged a long list of blockbuster events, many of which have sold more than a million pay-per-views. The promotion also signed a lucrative broadcast deal with ESPN, which commenced in 2018, and has many other sources of income.
Islam Makhachev targeted for UFC 259 return against rising contender Drew Dober
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
A highly-intriguing lightweight bout between top-15 ranked fighters Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober has been added to UFC 259. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight between Makhachev and Dober, which is likely to take place at UFC 259 on March 6. There is no main event for that card currently set, but UFC president Dana White previously said the UFC is targeting a heavyweight title rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou for the March PPV event.
Scott Coker confirms Bellator will not block Dillon Danis from boxing Jake Paul
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that he will not block Dillon Danis from making the move to the boxing ring for a Jake Paul fight. In the wake of Paul’s recent KO win over Nate Robinson on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. PPV card, there have been plenty of athletes calling out Paul for his next fight. One of those athletes is Danis, the Bellator middleweight. Both Danis and Paul haven’t liked each other for a long time and it’s gotten to a new level of hatred between the two since Paul finished Robinson. It seems like there is a lot of interest on both sides to potentially book Paul vs. Danis in a boxing match in 2021.
Dana White heaps praise on "absolute monster" Deiveson Figueiredo
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has some high praise for the promotion’s undisputed flyweight champion, Brazilian finisher Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo will return to the MMA limelight this weekend, as he takes on top flyweight contender Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC 256.
Tony Ferguson slams MMA media: "You guys are watching me get f**ked over left and right"
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
Top UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has a bone to pick with the media covering mixed martial arts. Ferguson will return to the cage this weekend, in the co-main event of UFC 256, where he’ll take on surging submission specialist Charles Oliveira. The bout will mark his opportunity to rebound from a May stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje, which derailed a fantastic, 12-fight unbeaten streak.
Dana White outlines massive cost of UFC's COVID-19 testing in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has been able to promote dozens of UFC cards in 2020 despite the pandemic, but it hasn’t been easy—or cheap. Speaking to TSN on Thursday, White opened up on the sheer volume of COVID-19 tests the promotion has facilitated this year, and on the massive cost of those tests.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane explains why she felt “relieved” following first career loss at Bellator 254
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2020
Bellator star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has explained her relief after losing the Women’s Flyweight Championship to Juliana Velasquez last night. Macfarlane was viewed by some as an underdog heading into the bout last night that saw the two put their respective unbeaten records on the line. In the end, it was Velasquez who was able to grind out the unanimous decision win that ensured she was the one who walked away as champion.
Report | Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker targeted for March, interim title possible says Wallid Ismail
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
MMA manager Wallid Ismail says the UFC is targeting an important middleweight matchup between Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker for March. Ismail told Portal Do Vale Tudo that the UFC has already offered the fight to Costa and Whittaker for March. The manager said that Costa has agreed to the fight and now they are just waiting on Whittaker to sign off on his end of the deal. Ismail also said there is the possibility that the fight could be for the interim middleweight belt.
Dana White open to Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler as backup fight for UFC 257 main event
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Dana White is looking to book another lightweight fight to serve as a backup for UFC 257. In the main event of the first pay-per-view of 2021, McGregor is set to return to the sport in a highly-anticipated rematch against Poirier. It is obviously a very important fight for the lightweight division so White is hoping to add another lightweight fight to the card.
Dana White takes a shot at Bellator MMA: "There's much better promotions all over the world"
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White took a shot at Bellator MMA, saying “there’s much better promotions all over the world” when it comes to talent. Bellator is, by all accounts and purposes, the UFC’s main rival, especially when it comes to the North American MMA scene. The UFC is still the top dog and has been for many years, but that hasn’t stopped Bellator from trying to compete and stay the course as the No. 2 promotion. Bellator, in fact, signed former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson this week, indicating once again it means business.
Henry Cejudo throws shade at Petr Yan’s two most recent wins: “You might as well just fought Alzheimers”
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Henry Cejudo continues to trash-talk current UFC bantamweight, Petr Yan. Although Cejudo retired and vacated the bantamweight title, he still is paying close attention to the division and the current champ in Yan. He has called Petr a rent-a-champ and now is critiquing his recent wins.
Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev targeted to headline January event on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev are expected to headline a Fight Night card on Fight Island. Originally, Edwards and Chimaev were expected to headline the final event of 2020 on December 19 in Las Vegas. However, the fight was postponed after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 but it appears the promotion is moving quickly to rebook it.
Daniel Pineda on Cub Swanson fight: "He will either knock my ass out or I will finish him"
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Daniel Pineda doesn’t think the judges will be needed for his UFC 256 fight against Cub Swanson. After Pineda finished Herbert Burns at UFC 252, the hope for the 35-year-old was to get a ranked opponent or someone near the rankings. And, he ended up getting his wish as he was offered perennial contender, Cub Swanson.