MMA News
UFC 251 bonuses: Jiri Prochazka earns $50k for incredible KO win over Volkan Oezdemir
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
Light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka was among the four fighters who earned $50,000 bonus awards for their performances at UFC 251. The UFC announced the bonus awards following the event. The UFC handed out two “Performance of the Night” bonuses to Prochazka and bantamweight Davey Grant, while “Fight of the Night” went to former women’s strawweight champions Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade for their exciting rematch on the main card.
Aljamain Sterling challenges Dana White to "cut the games" and give him a 135lbs title shot
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling challenged Dana White to “cut the games” and give him a title shot at 135lbs against new champion Petr Yan. It was thought all along that Sterling would be next in line to fight the winner of Yan vs. Aldo at UFC 251, and when Yan won the fight, fans were immediately salivating at the possibility of a Yan vs. Sterling matchup for the belt. In fact, White himself said that Sterling would be next in line for the belt after he dispatched of Cory Sandhagen in devastating fashion at UFC 250 back in June.
The Korean Zombie vows to finish “shameful” featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski following UFC 251
Adam Martin - July 12, 2020
The Korean Zombie vowed to finish a “shameful” Alex Volkanovski after he won a controversial split decision over Max Holloway at UFC 251. Volkanovski won a split decision over Holloway to keep the UFC featherweight title, but it was a razor-thin fight that many thought he should have lost. Ultimately, the judges sided with Volkanovski, giving him the belt back with 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 scorecards, though many fans, media, and even UFC president Dana White disagreed with the scores.
Did Joanna Jedrzejczyk just retire from mixed martial arts?
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk posted a cryptic message on social media today insinuating that she has retired. The Polish star, Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA), took to Instagram with the following post that containted the caption “33 and retired”.
Daniel Cormier says “the same thing” would happen to Jorge Masvidal against Kamaru Usman on a full camp
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier says the “same thing” would happen to Jorge Masvidal if he fought Kamaru Usman again with a full training camp. Masvidal took the fight against Usman on just six days’ notice after No. 1 Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19. Although Masvidal’s training partners such as Dustin Poirier said that Masvidal was putting in the work at American Top Team just in case the opportunity to fight Usman on short notice came up, he did struggle through a brutal weight cut of 20lbs during fight week and it showed during the fight, as Masvidal appeared to tire badly from all the grappling after a strong opening round on the feet.
Alex Volkanovski reveals USADA woke him up the night before UFC 251
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski says that USADA woke him up the night before his UFC 251 main event against Max Holloway. Volkanovski defended his title via split decision in a highly-competitive battle between two of the best featherweights in the game. The judges scored the bout 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47 in favor of Volkanovski, allowing the champ to retain his title. Although it was not his best performance in the Octagon, the win improved Volkanovski’s career record to 22-1, including a 19-fight win steak a perfect 9-0 mark in the UFC.
Dwayne Johnson reacts to Kamaru Usman defeating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Dwayne Johnson was watching last night’s UFC 251 main event with keen interest as his friend Jorge Masvidal squared off with Kamaru Usman. If you recall, ‘The Rock’ was the man who presented the BMF Title to ‘Gamebred’ following his TKO victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 244.
Jorge Masvidal believes he has the formula to beat Kamaru Usman following 251
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal believes he has the formula to beat Kamaru Usman if they ever meet inside the Octagon again for a rematch. Masvidal took the fight against Usman on just six days’ notice, filling in for the COVID-19 infected Gilbert Burns, and the short notice showed. After a quick start for the challenger in the first round, Masvidal faded badly as the fight went on as Usman was able to dominate him in the clinch and on the ground en route to a unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Usman, 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.
Paige VanZant issues statement following submission loss to Amanada Ribas at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Fan favorite Paige VanZant made her long awaited return to the Octagon yesterday evening at UFC 251 for a flyweight bout with Amanda Ribas. VanZant (8-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a submission victory over Rachael Ostovich in January of 2019.
Dana White on Max Holloway vs. Alex Volkanovksi 2: “We have some bad judging”
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
UFC president Dana White slammed the judges at UFC 251 for their scorecards in the co-main event between Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Volkanovski and Holloway met in a rematch after their first fight last December at UFC 245, where Volkanovski won a unanimous decision to capture the featherweight title in an upset. The rematch at UFC 251 went different, as Holloway was able to make the necessary adjustments and fight a far more competitive battle. Although many fans, media, and fighters though Holloway won the fight, the judges ended up giving it to Volkanovski, who retained the belt with scores of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47.
Former rivals Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson traded shots during last night’s UFC 251 broadcast
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and long-time rival Dan Henderson traded shots on social media during the UFC 251 broadcast on Saturday. Saturday marked 11 years to the day since UFC 100 when Henderson scored one of the most iconic KOs in MMA history when he flatlined Bisping. The pair rematched seven years later at UFC 204, with Bisping winning a competitive unanimous decision to tie the score between the two at one each. Following the second fight with Bisping, Henderson retired from the sport, and Bisping followed him out the door soon after.
Max Holloway reacts following loss to Alex Volkanovski, thanks Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - July 12, 2020
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway reacted following a narrow split decision loss to Alex Volkanovski in the co-main event of UFC 251. Holloway and Volkanovski went toe-to-toe for 25 minutes in an incredibly-close rematch, but after five rounds of action, the judges deemed Volkanovski as the winner by split decision with scores of 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47. It was a controversial decision, with many fans, media, and fellow fighters believing that Holloway had done enough to get his hand raised. Alas, the judges cageside gave the nod to Volkanovski instead.
Jorge Masvidal reacts followng loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Jorge Masvidal came up short in his quest to dethrone reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. ‘Gamebred’ had accepted a title fight with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ on extremely short notice after Usman’s originally slated opponent Gilbert Burns was forced off the card due to a positive test for Covid-19.
Video | Rose Namajunas sends apology to Weili Zhang from hospital bed following victory at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
Rose Namajunas offered a good-natured apology to reigning UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang shortly following the conclusion of UFC 251. The former women’s strawweight champion, Namajunas (9-5 MMA), was making her Octagon return at tonight’s inaugural Fight Island event in a rematch against the woman who took her title, Jessica Andrade.
Dana White reacts to Paige VanZant's submission loss at UFC 251: "She should definitely test free agency"
Christopher Taylor - July 12, 2020
UFC President Dana White spoke about the future of women’s flyweight standout Paige VanZant at tonight’s UFC 251 post-fight press conference. VanZant (8-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since January of 2019, where she scored a submission victory over Rachael Ostovich.
Colby Covington reacts to Kamaru Usman defeating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Christopher Taylor - July 11, 2020
Colby Covington was not impressed by the performances of Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman in tonight’s UFC 251 main event. ‘Gamebred’ challenged ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ for his coveted welterweight championship in the headliner of tonight’s UFC 251 event on Fight Island.
UFC 251 Results: Kamaru Usman defeats Jorge Masvidal (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - July 11, 2020
Kamaru Usman will look to defend his welterweight title for the second time when he squares off with Jorge Masvidal in tonight’s UFC 251 event. Usman (16-1 MMA) was most recently seen in action at December’s UFC 245 event, where he scored a fifth round TKO victory over Colby Covington to retain his championship.
Pros react to Max Holloway vs. Alex Volkanovski 2 at UFC 251
Chris Taylor - July 11, 2020
Tonight’s UFC 251 pay-per-view event was co-headlined by a featherweight title fight rematch featuring Max Holloway challenging Alex Volkanovski. Holloway (21-5 MMA) and Volkanovski (21-1 MMA) had first met at December’s UFC 245 event in Toronto, where ‘The Great’ was able to dethrone ‘Blessed’ by way of a unanimous decision victory.