MMA News
EXCLUSIVE | Eduard Folayang looks back on his remarkable ONE Championship career
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
In 2011, Filipino Wushu specialist Eduard Folayang was invited to headline the debut event from a brand new promotion called ONE Fighting Championship. Folayang was originally booked to fight fellow Filipino Ole Laursen on the card, but was later matched up with streaking Korean A Sol Kwon when Laursen was sidelined with a knee injury. Folayang prevailed despite the opponent change, winning a unanimous decision. Almost eight years later, Folayang has competed 14 more times for this promotion (which has since dropped the word “Fighting” from its name).
Jon Jones and Valentina Shevchenko open as gargantuan betting favorites over Santos, Eye
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
The oddsmakers don’t have a lot of faith in Thiago Santos. For all the Brazilian’s ferocious, fight-altering power, he’s being effectively counted out by the bookies ahead of his UFC 239 showdown with seemingly unbeatable UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The online bookmaker BetOnline has labelled Jon Jones as a huge -800 favorite, which means you’d have to successfully bet $800 to win $100 (h/t MMA Fighting). Santos, meanwhile, is a near 6-1 underdog at +575. That means that a successful $100 bet on him would earn you $575.
Chael Sonnen offers interesting theory on Conor McGregor retirement
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Conor McGregor has retired from MMA — at least, that’s what he’s claiming. Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!
UFC Philadelphia | Edson Barboza not afraid to trade leg kicks with Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje, who will collide in the main event of UFC Philadelphia this weekend, are revered as two of the most ferocious leg kickers in MMA. Yet in the opinion of Barboza, there is simply no comparison.
Reasons to watch Bellator 219
Mike Straus - March 28, 2019
The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California will host this weekend’s Bellator 219 event. In a weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts action, it can be easy to overlook some intriguing fights that slip through the cracks. With a ton of hype being thrown in the direction of UFC Philadelphia, and for good reason, and with ONE Championship hosting their most anticipated event yet, Bellator 219 could be one such card. No worries, that’s why you are reading this. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to tune in this Friday to Bellator 219.
Jose Aldo provides update, still unsure if he'll be able to fight at UFC 237
Drake Riggs - March 28, 2019
UFC 237 is set to go down on May 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the evening’s co-main event, legendary featherweight icon, Jose Aldo looks to take out another rising contender in Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski. Unfortunately for Aldo, his fight is now up in the air after suffering a bacterial infection from a cut last week that resulted in his hospitalization.
If Jose Aldo can't fight at UFC 237, Renato Moicano willing to step in
James Lynch - March 28, 2019
If Jose Aldo can’t compete at UFC 237, a former opponent is willing to replace him. Renato Moicano spoke with MMAJunkierecently and said that if Aldo – who was recently admitted to the hospital for a bacterial infection – is forced to withdraw from his fight against Alexander Volkanovski on May 11 that he’d be willing to step up in his place.
Michael Bisping gives his take on TJ Dillashaw drug testing situation
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Earlier this month, TJ Dillashaw relinquished the UFC bantamweight belt after one of his recent drug tests turned up adverse findings. In the opinion of former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who discussed the issue on his popular Believe You Me podcast, Dillashaw’s choice to relinquish the belt before the United States Anti-Doping Agency had reached a verdict on his case is nearly an admission of guilt. “I don’t break the circle of trust,” Bisping said (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I don’t speak outside of school. I don’t tell tales outside of f*cking tale-telling time but I’m telling you this, circle of trust or not, no motherf*cker relinquishes their belt out of respect for the rest of the division. It ain’t about the rest of the division, it’s about me. I’m not gonna relinquish my belt once I destroy the competition and become the champion. I’m not gonna relinquish my belt out of respect for the competition. You just wouldn’t do that. So that in itself – and I apologize if I’m wrong – is almost an admittance of guilt. It really is.
EXCLUSIVE | After first staredown, Yuya Wakamatsu believes Demetrious Johnson is 'intimidated'
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Yuya Wakamatsu is being counted out by almost everybody as he prepares to battle former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson this Sunday at ONE: A New Era in Tokyo, Japan. However, the 24-year-old Japanese fighter feels that he has some crucial advantages heading into this matchup with the MMA legend. One such advantage is his size.
Justin Gaethje shrugs off Anthony Pettis callout, has other plans
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of UFC Philadelphia, former WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will go to war with fellow fan favorite Edson Barboza. If Gaethje is able to win this fight, he’ll take a big step up the lightweight rankings and open the door to a host of compelling matchups.
Rory MacDonald says Georges St-Pierre is still training: 'He's working hard'
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champ Georges St-Pierre recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. “There’s no tears. I’m very happy to do it,” St-Pierre said in the English portion of his retirement message in Montreal. “In combat sports you should retire on top, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m happy I have the discipline to do it.”
EXCLUSIVE | ATT owner Dan Lambert has a suggestion for anyone who doesn't want to see Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - March 28, 2019
The UFC’s lightweight division will hopefully get a little more organized come UFC 236. In the main event, featherweight champion Max Holloway will move up in weight to take on Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight championship. However, some fans aren’t thrilled about this matchup, as they thought Tony Ferguson or another lightweight contender deserved the opportunity to fight for gold. American Top Team owner Dan Lambert is not one of those people.
EXCLUSIVE | Chatri Sityodtong opens up on meeting with Georges St-Pierre
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently had a meeting with former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in Singapore. Given Sityodtong’s recent habit of signing high profile mixed martial artists to ONE Championship, some members of the combat sports world speculated that he could be working on a deal with St-Pierre.
Dustin Poirier sees some issues in UFC PPV's moving to ESPN+
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2019
The UFC made a shocking announcement just over a week ago: all pay-per-views will now be sold through ESPN+ for Americans. Immediately after the news, many fans and fighters took to Twitter to question the move and how it would impact PPV buys.
Cub Swanson makes his return at UFC Ottawa to take on Shane Burgos
Drake Riggs - March 27, 2019
One of the featherweight division’s all-time most exciting fighters is without a doubt Cub Swanson (25-10). And after some time off, the veteran is back. First reported by The Toronto Sun and now confirmed by the UFC, the Palm Springs native is set to make his Octagon return at UFC Ottawa on May 4 when he takes on the rising prospect, “Hurricane” Shane Burgos (11-1).
Report | Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler agree to rematch as UFC Minneapolis headliner
Drake Riggs - March 27, 2019
Following UFC 235 and former UFC welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler’s (18-3) somewhat controversial first-round submission loss to Ben Askren, the idea from UFC President Dana White was to run the fight back as soon as possible. Well, one of Lawler’s old fights will be ran back alright… But it won’t be that one. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has since reported that verbal agreements are in place for Lawler to rematch with Askren’s good friend and teammate, the man who dethroned Lawler, Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) at UFC Minneapolis on June 29.
BREAKING | Henry Cejudo moves up to face Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 238
Drake Riggs - March 27, 2019
With TJ Dillashaw now out of the picture due to his relinquishing of the title following an “adverse finding” in one of his drug tests ahead of UFC Brooklyn, it’s time for a new champion to be crowned. It was practically a foregone conclusion that the next bantamweight title fight would at the very least feature the undeniable top contender, former World Series of Fighting king, “Magic” Marlon Moraes (22-5-1). It was just a matter of who against.
Stipe Miocic responds to Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2019
Jon Jones’ potential move up to heavyweight may be happening sooner than anticipated. If he does move up, the fight that is expected to take place will pit “Bones” against Stipe Miocic. The rumors first started when ESPN analyst and Bellator fighter, Chael Sonnen mentioned the two possibly fighting each other this July.