MMA News
Andreas Michailidis eager to put Greece on the MMA map
Alfredo Zullino - July 8, 2020
Greece has not been a hotspot for fighters lately, but mixed martial arts was basically born there in 648 BC, when Pankration was introduced for the first time as an Olympic sport. Andreas Michailidis is here to change this trend.
Jorge Masvidal gives examples of Kamaru Usman's "multiple personalities"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jorge Masvidal claims UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday, has “multiple personalities.” Masvidal made this claim on Twitter on Wednesday, pointing to the way Usman travels as an example.
Joe Rogan rails against win bonuses in MMA: "I just don't think it's fair"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan is not a fan of win bonuses in combat sports. In combat sports, particularly in mixed martial arts, it’s typical for fighters to be paid a flat rate for competing, and then an additional figure (oftentimes the same amount) if they win.
Jessica Andrade looks to silence her critics with second win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 251
Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2020
Jessica Andrade plans on shutting down any doubters by sealing her second win against Rose Namajunas at UFC 251. The fighters first faced off at UFC 237 when Andrade managed to score a TKO in the second round. Many felt the strawweight’s statement knockout win was a fluke. Now, the 28-year is old is ready to prove naysayers wrong for a second time.
Report: Paul Felder pulled from Fight Island commentary as a precaution
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
According to Michael Bisping, Paul Felder has been pulled from his commentary gigs on UFC Fight Island as a precaution. Felder was scheduled to commentate all four Fight Island cards, starting with UFC 251 this Saturday, and concluding with UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till on July 25. Regrettably, he’s apparently been pulled from those commentary spots.
Jorge Masvidal reacts to coach Mike Brown's positive COVID-19 test: We're "devastated"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jorge Masvidal will not have his head coach Mike Brown in his corner when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 this Saturday night. On Monday, news surfaced that Brown had tested positive for COVID-19, which prevented him from flying to Abu Dhabi to corner Masvidal in his fight with Usman. Considering this fight marks Masvidal’s first crack at UFC welterweight gold, that’s a real blow. Masvidal is understandably distraught.
Mike Perry purchases new 4Runner for girlfriend Latory Gonzalez
Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2020
Mike Perry has decided the best way to spend his UFC earnings is by purchasing a new 4Runner for his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez. On June 27, the welterweight faced off against Mickey Gall. Instead of a traditional corner team, Perry only had his girlfriend in his corner between rounds. The 28-year old explained the decision behind his drastic change of tactics pre-fight.
Mike Brown “heartbroken” that positive COVID-19 test will prevent him from cornering Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2020
American Top Team coach Mike Brown has reacted to his positive COVID-19 test that will stop him from cornering Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night. The news broke yesterday that Brown, who has been a long-time coach and friend of Masvidal, will not be able to be by his side in what many believe to be the biggest fight of his mixed martial arts career.
Henry Cejudo slams "overrated" Sean O'Malley, claims a "minor league wrestler" would beat him
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2020
Henry Cejudo isn’t buying the hype surrounding Sean O’Malley. O’Malley is currently undefeated as a pro and coming off a highlight-reel knockout win over Eddie Wineland at UFC 250. Following the win, many fans were ready to match him up with Cody Garbrandt or other top fighters.
Jorge Masvidal plans to leave Kamaru Usman "unconscious for a long time" at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is planning to end his fight with Kamaru Usman violently. Masvidal is taking this fight on just days notice but says that is plenty of time to beat up a “bum” like Usman. So, according to “Gamebred” he expects to baptize Usman to win the welterweight title.
UFC 251 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal title fight
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2020
In the main event of UFC 251 on Fight Island, Kamaru Usman looks to defend his welterweight title when he takes on Jorge Masvidal who took the fight on six days’ notice. Heading into the fight, the champ is a -300 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Usman defends his belt, but the big question is whether or not he gets the finish.
Tim Kennedy slams "pathetic" UFC fighter pay: "I would have made more as a garbage truck driver"
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
Former UFC middleweight contender Tim Kennedy slammed the “pathetic” fighter pay in the UFC saying that he “would have made more as a garbage truck driver.” After Paige VanZant said that she would have made more money working a normal job in the last six years rather than fighting in the UFC, Kennedy took to social media to agree with her. In a fiery message directed to the UFC, the veteran middleweight said that the money the UFC pays the fighters is “pathetic” and admitted he would have made more driving a garbage truck. Here’s what Kennedy wrote on his Twitter.
Report | Two American Top Team coaches test positive for COVID-19
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
According to a report from Brazilian MMA outlet Combate, two American Top Team coaches have tested positive for COVID-19. Combate reports that both Mike Brown and Gabriel de Oliveira have tested positive for the virus. The ATT coaches’ positive tests come just days after UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz, an American Top Team fighter, tested positive for the virus and was forced out of a July 15 fight with Frankie Edgar.
Cody Stamann vs. Jimmie Rivera set for July 15 scrap on Fight Island
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
A featherweight bout between top-15 bantamweight contenders Cody Stamann and Jimmie Rivera is the latest addition to the UFC Fight Island event on July 15. MMAFighting.com’s Mike Heck reported that the UFC has booked a featherweight bout between Stamann and Rivera for the July 15 card set for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Both fighters will be competing up a weight class due to the short-notice nature of the book, as the fight takes place just a week from now.
Coach Javier Mendez expects war in Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy at UFC 252
Fernando Quiles - July 7, 2020
Head coach Javier Mendez anticipates a healthier Daniel Cormier to go to war with Stipe Miocic in the trilogy bout. UFC heavyweight champion Miocic and Cormier are scheduled to collide a third time on Aug. 15. The title bout is set to headline UFC 252 in Las Vegas. Cormier insists that this will be the last bout of his pro MMA career win or lose.
Leon Edwards says he is waiting on the UFC 251 main event winner
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says he’s waiting for a crack at the winner of the UFC 251 main event. UFC 251 goes down on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. In the card’s headliner UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will attempt to defend his title against Jorge Masvidal, who replaced Gilbert Burns just six days’ ahead of the event.
Paige VanZant on UFC career: I could made the same money with "a regular job"
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
After six years competing in the UFC, Paige VanZant says she could have earned the same amount of money working a “regular job.” VanZant is days out from a fight with Amanda Ribas, which will open the UFC 251 main card this Saturday night. The fight marks the final obligation on her current UFC contract.
Dana White: Colby Covington was not in consideration to replace Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims Colby Covington was never in consideration to replace Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman in the UFC 251 main event. Until last weekend, Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, was expected to defend his title against Burns at UFC 251. However, Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, thrusting the UFC into a desperate search for a replacement challenger for Usman.