MMA News
Dustin Poirier expresses interest in potential fights with Tony Ferguson and Nate Diaz
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has shown interest in potentially fighting Tony Ferguson or Nate Diaz in his next bout. While Poirier may have come up short in his attempt to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov last year, he was able to bounce back in a big way back in June when he scored a unanimous decision victory over one of the division’s rising stars Dan Hooker.
Jon Jones requests artist to paint a portrait of MMA’s three “mountain goats”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones wants an artist to paint a portrait of himself, Stipe Miocic and Anderson Silva – the “mountain goats”. Jones, who recently announced that he will be vacating the Light Heavyweight Championship in order to pursue a potential move up to heavyweight, has never been afraid to rustle a few feathers on social media.
Michael Chandler hints at potential UFC fight against Dustin Poirier
Adam Martin - August 19, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion and current free agent Michael Chandler has hinted at a potential UFC fight against Dustin Poirier. Chandler recently finished his Bellator contract with a stunning KO win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the last fight of his deal. He has made it clear that he intends on testing the free-agent market and both the UFC and ONE Championship have been suggested as potential landing spots if he leaves Bellator. Indeed, UFC president Dana White recently confirmed that he intends on sitting down and talking to Chandler soon.
Dominick Reyes explains why Jan Blachowicz is a tougher matchup than Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2020
Dominick Reyes knows Jan Blachowicz will not be an easy out. In the co-main event of UFC 253 on September 26, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will be fighting for the vacant light heavyweight title. On Monday, Jon Jones announced on Twitter he would be vacating the belt and the UFC swiftly promoted the Reyes vs Blachowicz matchup to be for the vacant title.
Ovince Saint Preux on Alonzo Menifield fight: "I can break him in the first round"
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2020
Ovince Saint Preux had no hesitation when offered a bout with Alonzo Menifield on short notice. Originally, Saint Preux was expected to battle Shamil Gamzatov this Saturday night but his opponent withdrew. On just a week and a half notice, Menifield took the fight. For “OSP,” he says he just wanted to fight and the opponent didn’t matter.
John Salter "expecting a three-round battle" against Andrew Kapel, believes a win earns him a title shot
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2020
John Salter thought he had done enough to earn a title shot following his last fight. With the Bellator middleweight title vacant and Gegard Mousasi not being able to get into the United States, he thought the timing was perfect for him to take on Douglas Lima. The 35-year-old is on a two-fight winning streak. He is also 7-1 in Bellator with his lone loss coming to Rafael Lovato Jr.
Corey Anderson says he signed big-money contract with Bellator: "I make more than I would have in the UFC"
Adam Martin - August 19, 2020
Newly-signed Bellator light heavyweight Corey Anderson says he will make more money in Bellator than what he would have made in the UFC. A former winner of The Ultimate Fighter, the news that Anderson had been released by the UFC and signed with Bellator a few weeks ago took many by surprise. Despite a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz in his last fight, Anderson was still the No. 4 ranked light heavyweight in the UFC. In November 2019, he picked up a POTN bonus for knocking out Johnny Walker. His release from the UFC was a very big surprise.
Cat Zingano gets opponent for Bellator debut
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano has an opponent for her long-awaited debut in the Bellator MMA cage. According to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Zingano will make her debut with the promotion on September 11, when she’ll take on Gabby Holloway.
Carlos Condit booked for comeback fight against former TUF winner
Adam Martin - August 19, 2020
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit will make his return to the Octagon against former TUF winner Court McGee. News of the fight was confirmed by MMAjunkie.com after Condit revealed on a recent podcast the matchup against McGee was in the works. The fight will take place on the UFC’s October 3 card. That is a Fight Night event that is set to be headlined by former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm against Irene Aldana. The location of the event has not yet been revealed, but it could take place on Fight Island.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN 15: Munhoz vs. Edgar
Adam Martin - August 19, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 11 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 15: Munhoz vs. Edgar event. In the main event, No. 5 ranked bantamweight Pedro Munhoz will lock horns with former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The bout will mark Edgar’s 135lbs debut after a long career at 155lbs and 145lbs, while Munhoz will be looking to get back in the win column after dropping a decision to Aljamain Sterling in his last fight.
Photo | Anderson Silva looking fit ahead of comeback fight Uriah Hall
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva looks to be in tremendous shape ahead of his October 31 showdown with fellow striking specialist Uriah Hall. Anderson Silva has not fought since May, 2019, when he was chopped down by a procession of leg kicks from surging middleweight contender Jared Cannonier. Prior to that, he came up short by decision in a clash with Israel Adesanya, who now holds the UFC middleweight title.
Jon Jones says light heavyweight division is "cleared," believes heavyweight is at "all-time best"
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020
Jon Jones believes he’s cleared out the light heavyweight division, and that he’s migrating to heavyweight at a time when that division’s never been better. Jones, the long-time UFC light heavyweight champion, vacated his throne earlier this week with ambitions to move up to the heavyweight division.
Dana White confirms Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz will be for vacant UFC light heavyweight title
Adam Martin - August 19, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will compete for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Reyes vs. Blachowicz was announced on Monday and later in the day Jon Jones announced that he has vacated his belt on Twitter. Speaking to reporters following Tuesday’s edition of the Contender Series, White confirmed that Jones has vacated the title, and the fight between Reyes and Blachowicz at UFC 253 will crown a new champion at 205lbs.
Sean O'Malley coach responds to criticism from Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - August 19, 2020
Tim Welch, one of the coaches behind Sean O’Malley, has responded to some recent comments from former Bellator and ONE Champ Ben Askren. O’Malley last fought in the co-main event of UFC 252 last weekend, succumbing to a volley of punches from Marlon Vera after seemingly injuring his leg. After the fight was stopped, he was stretchered out of the Octagon.
Israel Adesanya on upcoming Paulo Costa fight: “It’s a beautifully set up story. You couldn’t write this”
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2020
UFC star Israel Adesanya has spoken about the story behind his upcoming UFC 253 main event against contender Paulo Costa. Adesanya is set to defend his Middleweight Championship against the Brazilian next month, with both men putting their undefeated record on the line in the name of determining who is the very best at 185 pounds.
Anderson Silva set to return on October 31 for middleweight bout with Uriah Hall
Natasha Hooper - August 19, 2020
Anderson Silva will return to the Octagon on October 31 for a middleweight clash against Uriah Hall in the main event. The middleweight legend has endured a peppered record of wins and losses in recent years. He is currently riding a record of two consecutive losses after losing to Jared Cannonier by TKO in the first round of their UFC 237 clash. Prior to that, he lost by unanimous decision to the current middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya in 2017. His last victory took place in 2017 when he faced Derek Brunson. The pair went three rounds, and Brunson was convinced he “outclassed” Silva, but the judges ultimately sided with the middleweight legend and served him the victory.
Diego Sanchez set to return at UFC 253 for a welterweight bout with Jake Mathews
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2020
UFC veteran and fan favorite Diego Sanchez is set to return to action at UFC 253 to take on Jake Matthews. Sanchez, who made his official debut for the promotion back in 2005, will make his 32nd walk to the Octagon as the eccentric New Mexico native tries to make it four wins in his last five fights.
Israel Adesanya on Jon Jones move to heavyweight: “Fight Francis Ngannou and watch him break you”
Natasha Hooper - August 19, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has weighed in on Jon Jones’ plan to move up to the heavyweight division. Jon Jones has stepped away from his light heavyweight crown after a dispute with the UFC regarding a possible Francis Ngannou super fight. He accused UFC president Dana White of lying about contract negotiations and not paying him what he deserves.