MMA News
Vitor Belfort challenges "fraud" Brock Lesnar to "bare hands" showdown
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort is hoping to get his hands on former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Belfort, who spent many years as one of the UFC’s top middleweights, recently made the jump over to ONE Championship. While he was briefly linked to a special-rules fight with Alain Ngalani, that plan hit a snag due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Anthony Smith "not doing well" following loss to Aleksandar Rakic
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he’s having a tough time recovering from his recent decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Smith and Rakic collided in the main event of UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday, with Rakic ultimately winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. In defeat, Smith fell onto a two-fight skid, having also come up short against Glover Teixeira earlier this year.
Daniel Cormier has asked UFC to remove him from the USADA testing pool and official rankings, says Dana White
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Daniel Cormier has asked to be removed from the USADA testing pool & UFC rankings. Cormier’s mixed martial arts career seemingly came to an end at UFC 252 last month as he was beaten by Stipe Miocic in their third and final fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Video | Post-op Ben Askren takes aim at Sean O’Malley: “Toughen up a little bit, son”
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
As soon as he exited the operating theatre, Ben Askren took aim at Sean O’Malley, encouraging him to “toughen up a little bit.” Askren has long been suffering from a hip injury which ultimately impacted his fights against Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, and his decision to retire in November 2019. His affliction is the collateral damage of his accomplished wrestling and MMA career which saw him climb through the ranks of Bellator and ONE Championship and perform in the Olympics.
Dana White says Brock Lesnar would be a "good introduction" for Jon Jones at heavyweight
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC president Dana White says a fight against Brock Lesnar would be a “good introduction” for Jon Jones at heavyweight. Reports surfaced this week that Lesnar, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is a free agent after his contract with the WWE wrapped up. Already Lesnar has been connected to a return to MMA, with Jones calling for a fight against him, as well as Bellator president Scott Coker admitting interest in a money fight against heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko.
From drug dealer, robber to MMA fighter: the incredible story of Walter Pugliesi
Alfredo Zullino - September 1, 2020
Who are mixed martial artists? A group of men and women punching each other for money. But who are they once they get home, or who were they before? They might have been a math teacher, a real estate agent, a model, an office worker. They also might be a drug dealer. That’s the story of Walter Pugliesi.
Dana White says he will book Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar if both guys are "seriously interested"
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Dana White is interested in making a Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight. It was recently reported that Lesnar is a free agent after his WWE contract expired and he did not re-sign. Immediately, MMA fans wanted to see Lesnar back in the UFC to fight the likes of Jon Jones or go to Bellator to make the Fedor Emelianenko fight.
Video | Tyron Woodley reveals he is training with Jorge Masvidal ahead of Colby Covington fight
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Tyron Woodley has brought in Jorge Masvidal to train with him ahead of his UFC Vegas 11 main event scrap against Colby Covington. Woodley used to train at American Top Team alongside Masvidal and Covington, yet over the past couple of years, he and Covington started to dislike one another. During that same stretch, Masvidal and Covington also had a falling out so “Gamebred” has decided to train with Woodley.
Leon Edwards reacts to Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2: "Two journeymen go at it again"
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Leon Edwards is not a fan of Jorge Masvidal rematching Nate Diaz. Earlier on Tuesday, news came out that Masvidal and Diaz would be having their rematch in December or January with the BMF title on the line. It is obviously a massive fight, but many fans wanted to see Masvidal-Edwards especially after the rivalry they have.
Josh Barnett believes Brock Lesnar is using MMA as leverage to re-sign with the WWE
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
MMA heavyweight legend Josh Barnett believes that Brock Lesnar is using mixed martial arts as leverage to re-sign with the WWE. Reports emerged this week that Lesnar is now a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired, and he has already been connected to a return to MMA. The former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar has already been called out by Jon Jones on social media and Bellator president Scott Coker has admitted he is interested in matching up Lesnar against Fedor Emelianenko. But Barnett isn’t having any of the rumors.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns set for UFC 256, BMF title fight in the works
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC 256 could feature two welterweight title fights. Yes, that’s right two. According to a report from TMZ, undisputed welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is set defend his title against Gilbert Burns on the card, and a BMF title rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is also in the works for the event. Usman was originally expected to defend his title against Burns in July. Regrettably, Burns, who is riding a huge win over Tyron Woodley, was forced out of the fight when he tested positive for COVID-19. He was then replaced by Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Jessica Eye in "sad and lonely place" as she recovers from surgery: "I am in need of help"
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Jessica Eye has found herself in a tough spot as she recovers from a Staph infection and a recent surgery. Speaking on Twitter on Tuesday, Eye opened up to her followers about her “desperate” situation, and conceded that she’s “begging” for help.
Cris Cyborg accuses Daniel Cormier of being "paid to shill" for UFC
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg believes retired two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is a “shill” for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Speaking on a recent episode of ESPN’s DC and Helwani show, Cormier divulged that he was paid a $1M bonus after his 2015 decision loss to Jon Jones. He also revealed that he received a $400,000 bonus after he defeated Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in 2015.
Opening betting odds released for Brock Lesnar vs. Jon Jones, Fedor Emelianenko
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for potential heavyweight matchups between Brock Lesnar versus Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko. Reports surfaced on Monday that Lesnar is currently a free agent after his contract with WWE expired. Rumors have already popped up that Lesnar could make a return to MMA, where he starred as the UFC heavyweight champion from 2008 to 2010. If Lesnar does return to MMA, he could potentially fight again in the UFC or possibly in Bellator, whose president Scott Coker has already admitted he’s interested in bringing Lesnar aboard.
Joe Rogan praises Aleksandar Rakic, Neil Magny after UFC Vegas 8 wins
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan was very impressed by the handiwork of Aleksandar Rakic and Neil Magny at last weekend’s UFC Vegas 8 card. Rakic had a starring role in the card, defeating former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith in the main event. Magny, meanwhile, picked up a decision victory over the former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in the evening’s co-headliner.
Eddie Alvarez has no interest in Michael Chandler trilogy
Andrew Whitelaw - September 1, 2020
Eddie Alvarez has shot down talk of a trilogy against former Bellator rival Michael Chandler. The pair first met in 2011 in a bout that is now considered a classic.
UFC's Joe Rogan brought to tears by death of Chadwick Boseman
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is one of countless people to be rocked by the tragic death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who is best known for the starring role in the film Black Panther. Boseman, who was only 43 years old, died last week after a private battle with colon cancer, sending a shockwave through the entertainment world.
Nicco Montano dealing with "hardships" after latest fight cancelation
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano is dealing with some hardships after being forced out of her fight with Julia Avila with COVID-19. Montano was expected to fight Avila on September 5, but had to withdraw from the matchup when she tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, this is far from the first fight she’s been forced to withdraw from of late, and the stresses of going so long without a payday are starting to pile up.