MMA News
Alistair Overeem denies ducking Derrick Lewis, calls matchup an "easy paycheck"
Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem denied that he ducked a matchup against Derrick Lewis, saying that fight is an “easy paycheck” for him. Lewis takes on Aleksei Oleinik this Saturday night in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 32. Though Oleinik is a top-10 heavyweight, some fans were surprised when the UFC booked this fight because Overeem, who is ranked higher in the division, is currently without an opponent. According to Lewis during virtual media day for the event, the UFC tried to book him against Overeem but he says Overeem turned him down three times.
Chris Weidman defends recent struggles at middleweight: “It’s all fights that they’re top five guys”
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2020
UFC middleweight Chris Weidman has given his thoughts on the recent struggles he’s experienced at middleweight since losing the title back in late 2015. Ever since Luke Rockhold brought his tenure as champion to an end in devastating fashion, Weidman has struggled to get back on the horse. In addition to his quick defeat against Dominick Reyes at light heavyweight, the All-American has lost to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Gegard Mousasi and Yoel Romero – with his only win since 2015 coming against Kelvin Gastelum.
Bellator’s Valerie Loureda defends marketing strategy on social media: “It’s not for men”
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2020
Bellator sensation Valerie Loureda has defended her self-marketing strategy on social media in the wake of recent criticism. Loureda, who is set to square off with Tara Graff at Bellator 243 tonight, is 2-0 in her professional mixed martial arts career with both of her wins coming under the Bellator umbrella. Despite the impressive start, many still feel as if her Instagram popularity is one of the driving forces behind the push she’s been receiving from the promotion.
Derrick Lewis denies avoiding Curtis Blaydes matchup, claims Alistair Overeem ducked him three times
Natasha Hooper - August 7, 2020
Derrick Lewis denies avoiding a fight against Curtis Blaydes, instead, he claims Alistair Overeem has avoided fighting him three times. “The Black Beast” will fight Aleksei Olenik on August 8 at UFC Vegas 6 in Nevada. While Lewis is satisfied with the pivotal matchup, he would prefer a fight against heavyweight standouts, Curtis Blaydes or Alistair Overeem.
Justin Gaethje auctioning off fight kit from Tony Ferguson fight to raise money for sick cousin
Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is auctioning off his fight kit and gloves from the Tony Ferguson fight to raise money for his sick cousin. Gaethje took to his Instagram on Thursday to share a post about his cousin Jonathan, who needs specialized treatment. Gaethje’s family recently started a GoFundMe for Jonathan and now Gaethje is taking things a step further, as he is now auctioning off his fight kit and gloves from his fifth-round TKO win over Ferguson at UFC 249.
Khabib Nurmagomedov will not train at AKA for Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 254
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will not train at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov has trained under coach Javier Mendez at AKA for all of his fights dating back to 2012 when he first joined the UFC. Under Mendez, Nurmagomedov blossomed into one of the greatest lightweights of all time. Along with Nurmagomedov, Mendez has coached numerous other UFC champions including Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, and Luke Rockhold. But Nurmagomedov has long been the prized jewel of the AKA family.
Darren Till not done with welterweight following Robert Whittaker fight
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2020
Darren Till isn’t closing the book on a return to welterweight. At UFC 244 last November, the Englishman moved up to middleweight and earned a split decision win over Kelvin Gastelum. He most recently fought and lost to Robert Whittaker on Fight Island and after that fight admits a drop to welterweight might happen again.
Chris Weidman not interested in Anderson Silva trilogy: "I completely dominated him"
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2020
Chris Weidman doesn’t see a point in fighting Anderson Silva for the third time. Weidman and Silva fought back at UFC 162 and 168 with the American winning both. In the first fight, he caught the Brazilian with a punch to score the KO and become the new middleweight champion. They then had an immediate rematch and this time the scrap ended due to Silva breaking his leg.
Amanda Nunes ranked No. 1 overall in EA UFC 4
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes has been ranked as the No. 1 overall fighter in the new EA UFC 4 video game. EA UFC 4 will be released on August 14. As the name implies, it’s the fourth game in the EA UFC series, following previous editions of the game in 2014, 2016, and 2018. The cover athletes for EA UFC 4 will be UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal. Boxing star Tyson Fury is also expected to be in the game.
Dana White sends a message to the "crybabies" complaining about EA UFC 4 video game rankings
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White sent a message to the “crybabies” who have been complaining about the EA UFC 4 video game rankings. The new UFC game is set to be released this month and in anticipation of the game coming out, EA Sports has been releasing the rankings of the fighters in the game. Some fans have taken to social media to criticize some of the game’s controversial rankings, which include Deiveson Figueiredo being ranked higher in the game than Tony Ferguson, for example.
Dana White says UFC 253 with Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa likely to take place on Fight Island
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that the UFC 253 pay-per-view featuring Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa will likely take place on Fight Island. UFC 253 is set to take place on September 19 and the main event will see the UFC middleweight title up for grabs as the champion Adesanya faces off with the challenger Costa. The UFC has confirmed this bout will be the main event and the date is set in stone, but the venue and location have yet to be determined at this time.
Yana Kunitskaya thankful for boyfriend Thiago Santos training her for UFC Vegas 6 fight
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2020
Yana Kunitskaya didn’t have many options to train with when the COVID-19 pandemic locked people in their homes. Kunitskaya was in Brazil with her boyfriend, Thiago Santos, so all her training was with him. Not only was he her main training partner, but she says the Brazilian will be in her corner and will help out drastically with her weight cut.
Marlon Moraes vs. Cory Sandhagen targeted as main event for October UFC event
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
An exciting bantamweight bout between Marlon Moraes and Cory Sandhagen is being targeted as the main event for a UFC Fight Night card in October. Combate first reported that the UFC is targeting the Moraes vs. Sandhagen matchup to headline a UFC Fight Night event on October 10. There is no venue yet for this card, but it could land on either Fight Island in Abu Dhabi or at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Combate reports that contracts aren’t signed yet but this is the fight the UFC wants to book.
Zabit Magomedsharipov demands title shot against Alexander Volkanovski
Adam Martin - August 6, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov is fed up with waiting any more and is now demanding a title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski. Magomesharipov is currently riding a 14-fight win streak and he is a perfect 6-0 in the UFC with back-to-back wins over Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar. The Russian was set to take on Yair Rodriguez in a probably No. 1 contender fight at 145lbs later this month, but Rodriguez was injured in training and the fight was scrapped. The UFC is now looking for a replacement opponent for Magomedsharipov, with Kattar volunteering to step in.
Jose Aldo opens up on controversial referee stoppage in Petr Yan loss
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has opened up on the controversial referee stoppage that ended his recent bantamweight title fight with Petr Yan. Aldo and Yan fought for the bantamweight title, which was left vacant when Henry Cejudo retired earlier this year, in the first of three title fights on the UFC 251 bill in July.
Dana White pumps brakes on Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre talk
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020
UFC President Dana White has pumped the brakes on the buzz about a potential superfight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion, is currently scheduled to defend his title against the division’s interim champion Justin Gaethje.
Jorge Masvidal drops timeframe for next UFC fight
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020
UFC welterweight contender and MMA superstar Jorge Masvidal has shared the tentative timeframe for his next trip to the Octagon. On Wednesday night, Masvidal competed against American Cornhole League champion Cody Henderson, coming up short despite receiving a 15-point handicap to begin the match.
Bellator 243 weigh-in results: Main event official, one fighter misses mark
Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020
On Friday night, Bellator MMA will return to our screens with the stacked Bellator 243 card out of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The card will be topped by a rematch between former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The pair first met in November 2016, with the Bellator lightweight title on the line. On that night, Chandler retained the title with a thrilling, split decision win over the former UFC champ.