MMA News

Adam Martin - October 20, 2020

UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman has accepted a suspension for nine months by USADA due to violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. According to a statement from the USADA website, Sherman “tested positive for anastrozole as the result of a sample collected in-competition at UFC Fight Night on May 13, 2020. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.”

Adam Martin - October 20, 2020

UFC president Dana White is interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre, but he’s unsure if GSP can actually make 155lbs. Nurmagomedov vs. GSP is a superfight that has been talked about for a few years now by both fighters, the fans, the media, and even White himself. It would be a massive superfight between two of the best MMA fighters of all time, especially if Nurmagomedov goes for a perfect 30-0 record in the fight. If “The Eagle” defeats Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, the calls for a fight with “Rush” will grow even louder.

Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020

Francis Ngannou isn’t happy with the state of the heavyweight division. After Ngannou knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds to extend his winning streak to four, many figured he would be next in line for the title shot. However, after Stipe Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 252, he said he would need some time off and it now appears he won’t be returning until 2021.

Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020

Dana White is expecting the UFC 254 pay-per-view headlined by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje to do big business. In the lead up to the PPV, it has felt like a big fight as Nurmagomedov is a massive star and many think Gaethje is the toughest challenge for the champ. According to White, the trends for the fight is better than any other event they have done.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the first organization to present MMA through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship format, today announced that the 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2 in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. PFL will begin its 2021 season a month early as the league makes its anticipated return to action. “We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded, real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage technology, behind-the-scenes access, the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will be unveiled in the lead-up to what we believe will be the biggest season in PFL history.”

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.

Adam Martin - October 20, 2020

UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje believes losing his father to COVID-19 will be a “driving factor” for Khabib Nurmagomedov. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away at the age of 57 in July after a fatal battle with COVID-19. It’s a big loss for the sport, but most of all it’s a big loss for “The Eagle”. His father was his coach and mentor and he will be missing him in his corner. Despite the loss, Nurmagomedov continues to press on with his career, and he puts his title on the line against interim champion Gaethje this weekend at UFC 254.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has explained why he wasn’t interested in fighting Islam Makhachev on short-notice. Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, is on standby on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in the event that Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje is unable to compete in the UFC 254 headliner this weekend. Makhachev, meanwhile, was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos on the card, but was forced off the bill when the UFC couldn’t find him a replacement opponent after a dos Anjos injury.

Adam Martin - October 20, 2020

The full betting odds have been released for the 12 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje event. In the main event, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to unify his belt against interim champion Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov is 28-0 and is unbeaten in the UFC with a 12-0 record, including a submission win over Dustin Poirier in his last fight. As for Gaethje, he is currently riding a four-fight win streak.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier had a heated exchange on Tuesday, getting into it over their respective interim title wins. Poirier and Gaethje fought in 2018, with the former winning by fourth-round TKO. Poirier later went on to capture the UFC’s interim lightweight title with a win over Max Holloway, but lost it when he came up short in a title-unifying showdown with undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Adam Martin - October 20, 2020

The rematch between women’s strawweight contenders Angela Hill and Tecia Torres has been booked to take place at UFC 256 later this year. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the rematch between Hill and Torres that is set to take place at UFC 256 on December 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hill and Torres previously met back at UFC 188 in 2015, with Torres winning a unanimous decision. That was the second fight for both women in their UFC careers. Five years later and both women meet once again in the Octagon in what should be a key fight at women’s 115lbs.

Andrew Whitelaw - October 20, 2020

Michael Chandler is still eyeing a dance with Tony Ferguson for his first fight in the UFC. The pair were briefly intended to be the co-main event at UFC 254, but an agreement could not be reached. Speaking at the UFC 254 virtual media day, Chandler admitted that provided he doesn’t fight this weekend, “El Cucuy” is his preferred next opponent.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

Marlon Vera will reportedly return to the Octagon at UFC 255, where he’ll take on former UFC featherweight champion and MMA legend Jose Aldo. News of this matchup was first reported by Brazilian publication Combate.

Harry Kettle - October 20, 2020

UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier has shown his weakness by considering a 170-pound fight with Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor seem to be on the verge of agreeing to a January 23 showdown, more than six years on from their featherweight encounter at UFC 178. Alas, while both men are aiming to get another shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship owned by Nurmagomedov, McGregor continues to flirt with the idea of another bout at welterweight.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

Danielle Nickerson has opened up on the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, UFC welterweight star “Platinum” Mike Perry Nickerson previously alluded to abuse issues during her time with Perry, but in an interview with MMA Junkie, shed new light on what she allegedly went through.

Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020

This Friday, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will battle former KSW champion Marcin Rozalsk. The bout will headline the first event from Genesis, a new bare-knuckle promotion from KSW, a massively successful MMA promotion out of Poland.

Adam Martin - October 19, 2020

UFC welterweight Mike Perry has issued a statement denying abuse of his ex-wife, saying that “I did not put my hands on my ex.” Perry was previously in a relationship with Danielle Nickerson (aka “The Platinum Princess), who has hinted at signs of an abusive relationship in several social media posts. According to Perry in his statement, a media outlet will be running a story detailing Perry’s abuse towards Nickerson. Looking to get ahead of the upcoming story, Perry released a statement on his social media vehemently denying any allegations of abuse.

Cole Shelton - October 19, 2020

Conor McGregor believes he was beating Khabib Nurmagomedov before he got submitted at UFC 229. In the main event of the card, McGregor was making his long-awaited and highly-anticipated return to the sport against Nurmagomedov who was looking for his first title defense.