MMA News
Daniel Cormier explains why Jorge Masvidal is in a "no-lose situation" at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes Jorge Masvidal is in a no-lose situation when he fights Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Masvidal is entering this fight on just six days notice and is a sizeable underdog. Many people are picking against him and counting him out, yet for Cormier, he believes even if “Gamebred” loses, his stock doesn’t change.
VIDEO | Mike Perry involved in bar fight, caught dropping man with punch
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry was allegedly involved in a recent bar fight that was captured on video and posted and social media. Twitter user @MMAEejit posted the video on his social media on Wednesday night. The user added that the video was from last night, though we don’t know for sure when the incident in question took place. It’s worth noting in the video that Perry has a “Fight Island” t-shirt on.
Ben Askren says he is the one who put "the spotlight" on Jorge Masvidal: "I let him shine"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Ben Askren believes he played a major part in Jorge Masvidal’s rise to superstardom. After “Gamebred” knocked out Darren Till in the main event of UFC London, “Funky” was taking shots at Masvidal to try and get him to accept the fight. After several jabs, it worked and the two fought at UFC 239 where it was expected the winner would get a title shot.
Volkan Oezdemir plans on making a "statement" with KO win over Jiri Prochazka to get into title conversation
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Volkan Oezdemir knows his UFC 251 fight against the promotional newcomer, Jiri Prochazka, will end by knockout. Prochazka is the former RIZIN light heavyweight champ and both he and Oezdemir are known as knockout artists. Yet, for the Swiss native, he says when the fight was originally offered he didn’t love the idea of fighting an unranked opponent. But, he knows he is a tough foe. So, he’s eager for the opportunity to welcome him to the Octagon.
Brendan Schaub on Geoff Neal working at Texas Steakhouse: 'It's such a bad look for the UFC'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2020
Brendan Schaub has weighed in on UFC welterweight Geoff Neal having to return to his job at Texas Steakhouse. Back in Dec. 2019, Neal turned in a statement-making win over Mike Perry. Neal dusted “Platinum” in the opening round, which is a feat not often accomplished against someone as tough as Perry. While many expected the UFC to attach the rocket to Neal and have him take off, that hasn’t been the case.
Alexander Volkanovski: Max Holloway is "being a bit of a sore loser"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Alexander Volkanovski feels that Max Holloway is “being a bit of a sore loser” ahead of their UFC 251 featherweight title fight. Volkanovski defeated Holloway by decision in December, claiming the UFC featherweight title for himself.
Bellator set to return on July 24 for first show since February
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
Bellator is set to hold its first show since February as the promotion is scheduled to make its return to your television screens on July 24. Sherdog.com reported that Bellator is scheduled to return on July 24 with an event from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. According to the report, the event is tentative pending the Mohegan Tribe Department of Regulation clearing it to go on. For that to happen, Sherdog reports it likely depends on “extensive testing, social distancing measures, cleaning procedures and Bellator holding its fights with no fans in attendance.”
Uriah Hall plans to “go after” Yoel Romero and earn a middleweight title shot
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2020
UFC middleweight Uriah Hall has outlined his strategy as he prepares to go head to head with top contender Yoel Romero next month. The former Ultimate Fighter finalist has had his fair share of ups and downs in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but with three wins in his last four fights, it appears as if he’s finally starting to live up to the potential that fans knew he had when he first appeared on TUF.
Jorge Masvidal comments on "trippy" close encounter with Kamaru Usman at hotel
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
On Monday, UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and his challenger Jorge Masvidal nearly came face-to-face at their hotel in Abu Dhabi. See this tense moment below:
Jake Shields on COVID-19 Fight Island shake-ups: "Maybe it’s time for healthy people to stop being scared of this virus"
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title contender Jake Shields reacted on social media after COVID-19 led to several Fight Island bouts being scrapped. Numerous bouts set to take place this month have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the most prominent being the scheduled UFC 251 main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. After Burns tested positive on Friday, the UFC worked hard all weekend to book a replacement fight with Jorge Masvidal.
Andreas Michailidis eager to put Greece on the MMA map
Alfredo Zullino - July 8, 2020
Greece has not been a hotspot for fighters lately, but mixed martial arts was basically born there in 648 BC, when Pankration was introduced for the first time as an Olympic sport. Andreas Michailidis is here to change this trend.
Jorge Masvidal gives examples of Kamaru Usman's "multiple personalities"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jorge Masvidal claims UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday, has “multiple personalities.” Masvidal made this claim on Twitter on Wednesday, pointing to the way Usman travels as an example.
Joe Rogan rails against win bonuses in MMA: "I just don't think it's fair"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jessica Andrade looks to silence her critics with second win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 251
Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2020
Jessica Andrade plans on shutting down any doubters by sealing her second win against Rose Namajunas at UFC 251. The fighters first faced off at UFC 237 when Andrade managed to score a TKO in the second round. Many felt the strawweight’s statement knockout win was a fluke. Now, the 28-year is old is ready to prove naysayers wrong for a second time.
Alexander Volkanovski rejects Henry Cejudo superfight talk: "I don’t want to put my division on hold"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has responded to talk of a superfight with former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champ Henry Cejudo. Cejudo retired back in May, shortly after a successful bantamweight title fight against Dominick Cruz. Since then, he’s maintained that there are only a few fights that will lure him out of retirement, such as a boxing match with Ryan Garcia, or a featherweight superfight with Volkanovski.
Report: Paul Felder pulled from Fight Island commentary as a precaution
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
According to Michael Bisping, Paul Felder has been pulled from his commentary gigs on UFC Fight Island as a precaution. Felder was scheduled to commentate all four Fight Island cards, starting with UFC 251 this Saturday, and concluding with UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till on July 25. Regrettably, he’s apparently been pulled from those commentary spots.
Jorge Masvidal reacts to coach Mike Brown's positive COVID-19 test: We're "devastated"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jorge Masvidal will not have his head coach Mike Brown in his corner when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 this Saturday night. On Monday, news surfaced that Brown had tested positive for COVID-19, which prevented him from flying to Abu Dhabi to corner Masvidal in his fight with Usman. Considering this fight marks Masvidal’s first crack at UFC welterweight gold, that’s a real blow. Masvidal is understandably distraught.
Mike Brown “heartbroken” that positive COVID-19 test will prevent him from cornering Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2020
American Top Team coach Mike Brown has reacted to his positive COVID-19 test that will stop him from cornering Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night. The news broke yesterday that Brown, who has been a long-time coach and friend of Masvidal, will not be able to be by his side in what many believe to be the biggest fight of his mixed martial arts career.
Dustin Poirier says Jorge Masvidal was training for Kamaru Usman this whole time: "He's in fight shape"
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says that Jorge Masvidal was in the gym training every day just in case the Kamaru Usman fight became available. Masvidal was set to fight Usman for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 251 but the promotion had difficulties coming together on the financials and eventually gave the title shot to Gilbert Burns. But after Burns tested positive for COVID-19, the UFC and Masvidal made a last-minute move to strike a deal, and the UFC now has a megafight between Usman and Masvidal headlining this weekend’s pay-per-view event.