MMA News
Jon Jones attempts to curb Francis Ngannou, says the timing is perfect for a Stipe Miocic superfight
Cole Shelton - August 31, 2020
Jon Jones believes the timing is perfect for him to fight Stipe Miocic next. Earlier this month, Jones shockingly announced he was vacating the light heavyweight title and moving up to heavyweight. Immediately, many wondered if the UFC would book Miocic vs. Jones for the heavyweight title. Yet, those rumors were put to bed as Dana White confirmed Francis Ngannou is next in line for Miocic.
Conor McGregor plotting 110-mile sea bike trip with Princess of Monaco
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor is plotting an epic journey from the French island of Corsica to Monaco. The Irish MMA superstar will undertake this 110-mile journey on a sea bike, apparently with Princess Charlene of Monaco for company.
Vitor Belfort sends fiery message to arch rival Wanderlei Silva
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has sent a scathing message to the chief rival of his career, Wanderlei Silva. Over the weekend, Silva shared a poster for a fictional fight card involving himself and Belfort, as well as other legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and Rashad Evans. Belfort, who defeated Silva by first-round knockout way back in 1998 and has been open to a rematch ever since, was not impressed by his rival’s post.
Fedor Emelianenko pens poignant tribute to late coach
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Heavyweight MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko has written a poignant tribute to his coach Vladimir Mikhailovich Voronov, who recently passed away. Emelianenko, who is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in the history of the sport, paid his respects on Instagram.
Ricardo Lamas considering retirement following UFC Vegas 8 fight
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Former UFC featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas is considering retirement following his decision win over Bill Algeo at UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday. Lamas opened up on his potential retirement after his victory over Algeo, who replaced Ryan Hall on short notice, was in the books.
Aljamain Sterling shuts down TJ Dillashaw's title talk
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is optimistic he’ll reclaim the division’s title, but Aljamain Sterling isn’t buying it. Dillashaw reigned over the UFC bantamweight division from late 2017 to early 2019. After a loss to Henry Cejudo at flyweight, however, he tested positive for the banned substance EPO, vacated his title, and was suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
What's next for Aleksandar Rakic and Anthony Smith after UFC Vegas 8?
Cole Shelton - August 31, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 8, Anthony Smith was making a quick turnaround to take on the rising contender in Aleksandar Rakic. Both men were looking to get back into the win column. With the light heavyweight title vacant, the winner would put themselves in a good position to earn a title shot or be part of a number one contender fight.
Mike Perry names eight fighters on his "death wish" list
Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020
Fan favorite UFC welterweight star “Platinum” Mike Perry has shared a list of eight fighters that are currently in his crosshairs. Perry shared the post, which was made by a fan, on his official Instagram post, but later deleted it.
Frankie Edgar explains why "legacy fight" against Dominick Cruz interests him
Adam Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Frankie Edgar explained why a matchup against his fellow legend of the sport Dominick Cruz interests him. At age 38, Edgar did the unthinkable in his bantamweight debut as he was able to overcome the odds against him and defeat heavy favorite Pedro Munhoz via split decision in a razor-thin fight. Edgar became the 11th fighter in modern UFC history to win a fight in three different weight classes, and the win over Munhoz pushed Edgar into the No. 5 spot in the UFC’s stacked bantamweight division right off the bat.
TJ Dillashaw vows to reclaim UFC bantamweight title as his return to the Octagon nears
Adam Martin - August 30, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw says he will reclaim his title when he returns to the Octagon in 2021. Dillashaw has not fought since a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019. That was the first fight for Dillashaw at 125lbs, and it was a rough experience for him. After getting finished by Cejudo in the first round of their fight, Dillashaw failed his post-fight drug test and was suspended for two years by USADA for having performance-enhancing drugs in his system. He was then forced to vacate his bantamweight title.
Dominick Reyes thanks Jon Jones for "the experience" and wishes him well at heavyweight
Adam Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes thanked Jon Jones for “the experience” and wished him well as he moves up to heavyweight. Reyes and Jones went at it back in February at UFC 247, with Jones edging out a controversial unanimous decision. Reyes has been chasing a rematch with Jones for months, but the long-time UFC light heavyweight champion made it official a few weeks ago when he announced he would be vacating his title. Reyes will now take on Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of UFC 253 for the vacant belt at 205lbs.
Wanderlei Silva teases massive MMA card at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and more
Adam Martin - August 30, 2020
Wanderlei Silva is teasing a massive MMA card that will take place at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko and Tito Ortiz, plus more. Silva posted a photo on his social media of a poster for an event called “Fight Club After Dark.” The poster says the event will take place on November 21 at the Tyson Ranch in Desert Hot Springs, California, with the tagline, “Experience live MMA like never before under the stars on the Tyson Ranch.”
Patricio Pitbull fires back at Dan Hooker about potential crossover fight
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
Bellator double champion Patricio Pitbull fired back at Dan Hooker after the two got into a back-and-forth about a potential crossover fight. Pitbull is currently the Bellator lightweight and featherweight champion, but in the last few weeks, he has taken to social media to call out numerous members of the UFC roster including UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski and his teammate Hooker. Although Pitbull is currently under contract with Bellator, he hasn’t fought in close to a year and is clearly getting frustrated waiting around. While Pitbull is one of the Bellator’s top home-grown talents, it seems obvious he is interested in fighting UFC fighters.
Video | Francis Ngannou takes on Hoga in a charity fight
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou took on comedian Hoga in a fight designed to raise money for Ngannou’s charity. Ngannou, the No. 1 contender in the UFC heavyweight division, hasn’t fought since May when he knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the first round of their fight at UFC 249. Ngannou has won his last four straight fights by knockout and UFC president Dana White has said he’s next in line for a title shot. But with no fight currently booked, Ngannou wanted to stay busy, and he decided to set up this fight against Hoga for charity.
Sean O’Malley says he still has that undefeated mindset, Henry Cejudo responds
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley says he still has that undefeated mindset, which prompted former champ Henry Cejudo to respond. O’Malley officially suffered the first loss of his pro MMA career at UFC 252 when Marlon Vera finished him with strikes. However, O’Malley suffered an injury prior to the finish, and in the aftermath, he has not given his opponent Vera any sort of credit for the victory. Several UFC fighters such as Darren Till have piped up, saying that O’Malley should take the loss in stride.
Video | UFC star Jon Jones begins his transformation to heavyweight
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC superstar Jon Jones released a video of him lifting weights as he looks to bulk up before making his move up to heavyweight. Jones recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and made it official that he intends on moving up to heavyweight for his next fight. Jones had previously expressed an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou in a non-title fight, but after Stipe Miocic defended the UFC heavyweight title against Daniel Cormier, Jones seems to have Miocic locked in his crosshairs. On his end, Miocic has admitted that he is interested in fighting Jones, too.
Neil Magny hopes to land top-10 opponent after dominant win over Robbie Lawler
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Neil Magny hopes to land a top-10 opponent in his next fight following a dominant win over Robbie Lawler. In the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 33, Magny outwrestled and outstruck Lawler over 15 minutes to earn a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27 in Magny’s favor. This is one of the biggest wins of Magny’s career over a former UFC welterweight champion, and he is hoping that it’s the kind of performance that lands him a top-10 opponent for his next fight.
Aleksandar Rakic believes Dominick Reyes will be his toughest test at 205lbs
Adam D Martin - August 30, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic believes that Dominick Reyes will be his toughest test at 205lbs. Rakic picked up the biggest win of his MMA career to date when he won a lopsided unanimous decision over Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 33. The win improves Rakic’s record in the Octagon to 5-1 overall, and by beating the No. 5 ranked Smith, Rakic has assured himself of another big-name opponent for his next fight.