MMA News
Sean O'Malley names Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya as inspirations during rise to stardom
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
Sean O’Malley is one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC, and is already being compared to the likes of Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya. He does not object to those comparisons.
UFC releases veterans Bethe Correia and Evan Dunham following recent losses
Natasha Hooper - August 13, 2020
The UFC has decided to release Bethe Correia and Evan Dunham following a string of recent losses. According to MMA Fighting, the former bantamweight title contender Correia, has been released from by the company following her last fight at UFC Fight Island 3 on July 25.
Marlon Vera offers savage response to Sean O'Malley mind games: "My skin is thicker than his Mom"
Andrew Whitelaw - August 13, 2020
When Sean O’Malley turned up to fight week with his hair dyed the colour of his opponent’s native Ecuador, reporters asked Marlon Vera if it bothered him. “My skin is thicker than his mom, so I’m good with that,” he said. “It’s hard to get in my mind.”
Chris Weidman dismisses talk of a Luke Rockhold rematch: “He needs to put in work”
Natasha Hooper - August 13, 2020
Luke Rockhold is ready for a rematch against Chris Weidman, but the feeling isn’t mutual. Weidman, the former UFC middleweight champion, got back to winning ways at UFC Vegas 6 on August 8. He defeated Omari Akhmedov by unanimous decision, redeeming his two consecutive losses and recent record of 1-5.
Promoter details Paige VanZant's four-fight deal with BKFC, hints at another "massive" signing
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
David Feldman is relieved Paige VanZant decided to sign with his promotion, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Entering UFC 251, VanZant was fighting Amanda Ribas and it was known it was the final fight of her contract. Many pundits believed she would end up in Bellator but on Wednesday that did not happen. Instead, it was announced she has signed with BKFC.
Austin Vanderford reacts to Paige VanZant signing with Bare Knuckle FC
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Austin Vanderford had a joking reaction to his wife, Paige VanZant, signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On Wednesday, it was revealed VanZant signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with the sans gloves promotion. The news caught many off guard. For Vanderford, he believes the news could very well make him the good looking one in their relationship.
Matt Dixon fired up for Contender Series opportunity: "I feel like that contract is mine"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Matt Dixon might not be a household name among fight fans yet, but that could soon change. Dixon, a 24-year-old welterweight with a flawless, 9-0 record, will battle Orion Cosce (6-0) on next Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. If he leaves the cage-side UFC President suitably dazzled, he’ll be offered a contract.
Bellator MMA launches exclusive channel with Pluto TV
Natasha Hooper - August 12, 2020
Bellator MMA has launched an exclusive channel with Pluto TV. The promotions organization have partnered up with the ViacomCBS TV service to provide free, ad-supported streaming for their content. The new channel will provide fans with over 500 fights from Bellator’s vast library over iconic fighting events. The content will be available during any time of week, 24 hour a day from the click of a button. The new Bellator MMA channel is available to stream on Smart TVs, or alternatively your phone or tablet.
Marlon Vera plans to "baptize" Sean O'Malley and "make him quit" in UFC 252 co-main event
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Marlon Vera is excited to finally share the Octagon with Sean O’Malley as he is confident he can hand “Sugar” his first loss. In the co-main event of UFC 252, Vera and O’Malley are set to fight in a scrap many fans are looking forward to. The common perception entering the bout is whether or not O’Malley’s hype is real or if Vera will prove to be too much too soon.
Paige VanZant inks exclusive, multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Paige VanZant has a new home. The former UFC flyweight and strawweight contender has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with upstart bare knuckle promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Ryan Bader on Corey Anderson moving to Bellator: "I can guarantee you he’s getting paid way more"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader believes fellow UFC veteran Corey Anderson made the right decision moving to Bellator. Bader, who rules over the Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, weighed in on Anderson’s Bellator move in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Max Rohskopf cut by UFC after debut ended in controversy
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Max Rohskopf has been cut from the UFC after his promotional debut, a short-notice lightweight fight with Austin Hubbard, ended in controversy. Rohskopf took on Hubbard at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov on June 20. Between the second and third rounds of the fight, he asked his coaches to end the bout, and didn’t change his tune when his handlers attempted to encourage him to continue.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gunning for KO win over Junior dos Santos, eyes rematch with Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is looking to get back into the win column just three months after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Back at UFC 249 in May, Rozenstruik was knocked out in 20 seconds. Following the loss, many expected the former kickboxer to take some time off to heal his brain.
Dana White: Miocic vs. Cormier winner will be greatest heavyweight in MMA history
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
UFC President Dana White believes the winner of the upcoming trilogy between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will be the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. Miocic and Cormier will meet in the main event of UFC 252 this Saturday, with Miocic’s heavyweight title on the line. The heavyweight rivals have already fought twice previously. They first met in 2018 when Cormier, then the light heavyweight champion, moved up to heavyweight division to challenge Miocic for the division’s ultimate prize. Cormier won that first contest by first-round knockout. After Cormier defended the heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis later that year, he and Miocic then rematched in 2019. That time around, Miocic evened the scored, weathering some early adversity to stop Cormier in the fourth round and reclaim the heavyweight title.
Luke Rockhold names other potential opponents for comeback fight
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is plotting a comeback after a lengthy break, and sees many options in terms of his next opponent. Earlier this week, in an interview with ESPN, Rockhold revealed that he intends to fight again, and targeted his former foe Chris Weidman as a potential opponent.
Ben Askren reveals one thing he wishes he did differently in MMA career
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren doesn’t have a lot of regrets with respect to his MMA career, but there is one thing he’d do differently. Askren, who retired after going 1-2 in the UFC in 2019, was asked by a fan if there is anything he wishes he could change about his MMA journey. He issued a lengthy and thoughtful response on Twitter.
Marlon Vera reacts after Sean O’Malley dyes his hair in Ecuador colors
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera has given his thoughts on Sean O’Malley deciding to dye his hair to match the colors of the flag of Ecuador, the home nation of Vera. “Chito” is set to compete against “Suga” in the co-main event of UFC 252 this weekend, in what will easily be the most important fight of his career so far. Many fans are choosing to underestimate him, but as we’ve seen before, flying under the radar in such a high profile fight can often be a good thing.
Free Fight | Sean O’Malley knocks out Eddie Wineland at UFC 250
Natasha Hooper - August 12, 2020
Before Sean O’Malley fights Marlon Vera on the UFC 252 main card this weekend, fans can rewatch his violent, one-punch knockout win over Eddie Wineland. Watch it below, via the UFC’s official YouTube channel.