MMA News
Kevin Belingon outlines keys to victory against John Lineker
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former ONE bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon doesn’t expect his showdown with UFC veteran John Lineker to go the distance. The two hard-hitting bantamweights are set to collide in the main event of ONE: Inside the Matrix III, a previously-recorded event from Singapore scheduled for air on Friday, November 13th (SGT).
Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos opening betting odds revealed
Adam Martin - November 10, 2020
The opening betting odds were released for the UFC Vegas 14 main event this Saturday between contenders Paul Felder and Rafael dos Anjos. Felder stepped up on short notice and saved the show as he is filling in for Islam Makhachev on just five days’ notice and taking on a former champion in dos Anjos this Saturday at UFC Vegas 14. It’s incredible that Felder found the will to step up on such short notice and not only fight dos Anjos, but to do so at 155lbs and do so in a five-round fight. On paper, Felder vs. dos Anjos has the potential to be a fan-friendly fight.
BKFC run will "preserve the longevity" of Paige VanZant's MMA career
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
According to Bellator middleweight contender Austin Vanderford, former UFC star Paige VanZant intends to return to mixed martial arts in the future. Vanderford, who is married to VanZant, recently returned to the Bellator cage where he picked up an impressive victory over Vinicius de Jesus. Post-fight, he shed some light on what the future holds for his wife.
Rafael dos Anjos shames Michael Chandler for turning down short-notice fight
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos is not impressed with Michael Chandler after the former Bellator champ turned down a short-notice fight at UFC Vegas 13. Dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion, was originally expected to take on Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 13, which goes down this Saturday on ESPN+. When Makhachev withdrew from the fight, however, he called on Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, to step in.
Mike Perry reveals he still has a bunch of weight to cut for UFC 255: “I’m not sure how I do it but here we go”
Harry Kettle - November 10, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry has revealed that he still has 25 pounds to cut with just 10 days remaining until his next fight. Perry, who was initially scheduled to fight Robbie Lawler at UFC 255, will now lock horns with veteran Tim Means as he attempts to keep building momentum following his unanimous decision win over Mickey Gall earlier this year.
Aljamain Sterling wants UFC 256 main event slot against Petr Yan after Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson gets scrapped
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling wants to fight Petr Yan in the UFC 256 main event after Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson was scrapped. Nunes vs. Anderson for the UFC women’s featherweight title was set to headline UFC 256, which takes place on December 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, that fight has now been scrapped and the card needs a new main event. With Nunes vs. Anderson scratched, Sterling — who was set to take on UFC bantamweight champion Yan in the co-main event — is now stumping to take over the main event slot of the card.
Jack Hermansson claims five ranked fighters turned him down, credits Kevin Holland for stepping up
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson claimed five ranked fighters turned him down and credited Kevin Holland for stepping up on short notice. Hermansson was set to fight Darren Till in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on December 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, but Till was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Fortunately, the UFC was able to secure an opponent on short notice for Hermansson as Holland stepped up and took the fight. It’s not a top-10 ranked opponent like Hermansson was hoping to get, but it’s still a quality fight between two talented middleweights.
Paul Felder reacts to short notice fight against Rafael dos Anjos: "These are the moments I will tell my grandkids about"
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2020
Paul Felder is happy to be fighting Rafael dos Anjos on short notice. On Monday, it was announced Felder was stepping up on five days to face dos Anjos after Islam Makhachev was forced to withdraw. Immediately, many fans were ecstatic for the fight, and for Felder, he says he’s excited to share the Octagon with a legend in dos Anjos.
Report: UFC willing to replace Dustin Poirier and make Gaethje vs McGregor on January 23
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2020
Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor may not be happening on January 23 after all. After Poirier and McGregor agreed to a charity sparring match, the UFC came in and offered them to fight on January 23 which the Irishman accepted. Poirier, meanwhile, told the UFC to stop playing games and send him the contract.
Paul Felder steps up on five days notice to battle Rafael dos Anjos in UFC Vegas 14 main event
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2020
Paul Felder is stepping up on short notice to headline this Saturday’s card against Rafael dos Anjos. Originally, dos Anjos was expected to face Islam Makhachev. However, on Sunday night it was revealed the Russian withdraw from the bout, and immediately the UFC searched for a replacement. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, that replacement in Paul Felder. The fight will also remain a five-rounder and be at lightweight.
Sean Strickland vs. Brendan Allen added to this Saturday's UFC Vegas 14 card
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
An exciting matchup between middleweights Sean Strickland vs. Brendan Allen has been added to this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 14 card. Strickland is making a quick turnaround after defeating Jack Marshman via unanimous decision in a fun fight that was filled with trash talk just a few weeks back. Allen, meanwhile, was supposed to fight Ian Heinisch in a high-profile middleweight bout at UFC Vegas 13, but the fight was scrapped on weigh-in day after Heinisch fell ill with COVID-19.
Megan Anderson reacts after UFC featherweight title shot falls through
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Megan Anderson has shared her initial reaction after her planned crack at UFC featherweight champ Amanda Nunes fell through. Anderson was expected to challenge Nunes for the featherweight belt at UFC 256 on December 12. Unfortunately, Nunes has been forced to withdraw from the matchup with an injury.
Michael Chandler responds to calls for short-notice Rafael dos Anjos fight
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has responded to calls for a potential short-notice fight with Rafael dos Anjos. Chandler signed with the UFC earlier this year, but has yet to make his debut with the promotion. Some fans are hoping he’ll make his debut on short notice by stepping in to replace Islam Makhachev against Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Vegas 14 this weekend.
Tanner Boser releases statement following loss to Andrei Arlovski: "I had a big opportunity and I blew it"
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Tanner Boser released a statement following his recent decision loss to Andrei Arlovski, admitting he blew a big opportunity. After knocking out Phillipe Lins and Raphael Pessoa in back-to-back fights, Boser was given a big step up in competition against Arlovski, the former UFC heavyweight champion. The bout between Boser and Arlovski served as the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 13 card and it was supposed to be Boser’s coming-out party. Unfortunately, it was anything but, as Boser was on the wrong end of a close decision that the judges gave to Arlovski.
Alistair Overeem promises "one final run" to the UFC heavyweight title
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
Although UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem is 40 years old now, the long-time MMA veteran says he has one more title run in him. Overeem is one of the oldest fighters in the UFC heavyweight division but it hasn’t stopped him from going on a roll as of late. The Dutchman has won four of his last five fights, including brutal TKO wins over Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai in his last two bouts. Overeem is currently the No. 5 ranked heavyweight in the UFC. But that’s not good enough for him, because his goal is still to one day become the UFC heavyweight champion.
Diego Ferreira open to fighting Rafael dos Anjos on short notice: "I'm here"
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Diego Ferreira says he is open to filling in for Islam Makhachev against Rafael dos Anjos on this weekend’s card. Makhachev was finally able to secure a top-flight opponent in the form of the former UFC lightweight champion dos Anjos, but unfortunately, the Russian was forced to withdraw from the bout, leaving dos Anjos without an opponent. With the card just five days away, the UFC matchmakers are going to have to work fast to secure a replacement opponent. There just aren’t many options available for dos Anjos, given the super short notice here.
Jon Jones coach "amazed" by Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn, one of the coaches behind Jon Jones, says he’s “amazed” by UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Winkeljohn has served as one of Jones’ head coaches for many years, and could soon be tasked with preparing the MMA legend for a fight with Adesanya.
PFL star Kayla Harrison to make featherweight debut in Invicta FC cage
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
2019 Professional Fighters League Women’s Lightweight Champion, Kayla Harrison is set to return to action on Friday, November 20 at Invicta 43 where she will square off with heralded Invicta featherweight, Courtney King (4-1) in the evening’s co-main event. Harrison (7-0) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo (2012 and 2016) and has been dominant since beginning her undefeated mixed martial arts career with the PFL in 2018. “I have been on a mission to show I am the best fighter,” said Harrison, a two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist. “I have been tackling challenges my entire career and this bout at 145-pounds is a new and exciting one for me. I’m looking forward to competing in this new weight class and can’t wait to get back into the PFL cage come April.”