MMA News
UFC set to hold nine events in August, including UFC 252: 'Miocic vs Cormier 3'
Chris Taylor - July 1, 2020
Dana White was not joking when he said that August of 2020 would showcase an “insane” amount of fights including UFC 252: ‘Miocic vs. Cormier 3’. On Wednesday afternoon, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) approved a total of nine dates for the Ultimate Fighting Championship to host events for the month of August.
Colby Covington on ATT Departure: 'My Brand Was Being Held Back'
Jason Kindschy - July 1, 2020
Colby Covington has never been one to hold his tongue, no matter the consequences. With that considered, it should have not come as a surprise when the former interim UFC welterweight champ parted ways with American Top Team. Having been at odds with several of ATT’s top talents, it seemed like only a matter of time before the end of Colby’s relationship with the gym became an eventuality. Even though Covington always gave praise to facility owner Dan Lambert, the Oregon native felt that he was being held back by bureaucracy.
Alistair Overeem says he's going on "one more title run" at age 40
Adam Martin - July 1, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem says he’s going on “one more title run” after knocking out Walt Harris in his last fight at UFC on ESPN 8. At age 40, Overeem proved he’s still at the top of his game with the spectacular victory over Harris back in May. One of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Overeem has won three of his last four fights via knockout, with other recent stoppage victories over Aleksei Oleinik and Sergey Pavlovich. His lone loss in his last four outings came via KO to Jairzinho Rozenstruik with just four seconds left in the fifth round of a fight that he was dominating.
VIDEO | Relive 18-year-old Jose Aldo finishing his opponent with soccer kicks in a throwback fight
Adam Martin - July 1, 2020
Ahead of his vacant bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan at UFC 251, relive Jose Aldo finishing an opponent with soccer kicks in a throwback fight. Aldo is one of the greatest fighters in MMA history and he will soon get the chance to become one of the rare two-division champs in UFC history when he takes on Yan at UFC 251 on Fight Island. Aldo, of course, was the long-time WEC and UFC featherweight champion, and he will now look to add the bantamweight title to his mantle.
Coach addresses rumors of Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa serving as next TUF coaches
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
Coach Eugene Bareman, the head coach behind UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, recently addressed rumors that Adesanya will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter against top middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa have long been linked to a middleweight title fight, but the bout has not yet been made official. UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently divulged that he heard the plan was to have Adesanya and Costa coach TUF, which would require additional negotiations—hence the delay. That comment from Rogan caused widespread speculation that an Adesanya vs. Costa TUF season is indeed the plan.
VIDEO | Jon Jones helps clean up restaurant that was vandalized by racists
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently helped clean up a restaurant that was vandalized by racists. Jones has been increasingly active in his community of late, and that trend continued over the weekend when he helped clean up a restaurant that had been ransacked by racist vandals.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik interested in Francis Ngannou rematch
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
Surinamese heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik is interested in a future rematch with his last opponent, Francis Ngannou. Rozenstruik and Ngannou collided on the main card of UFC 249 back in March. The fight ended up going disastrously for Rozenstruik, who was knocked senseless in just 11 seconds by his destructive foe.
Robert Whittaker feels he's "better across the board" than Darren Till
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker believes he’s better than Darren Till across the board. Whittaker and Till are set to collide on July 25 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the setting of the UFC’s much discussed Fight Island.
Colby Covington offers to take care of "scardest motherf**ker" Jorge Masvidal for Dana White
Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington has taken another shot at his former training partner turned heated rival Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal is currently involved in a heated contract dispute with the UFC and the promotion’s President Dana White. The top welterweight contender’s main gripes stem from the amount he’s paid by the promotion.
Henry Cejudo tells "padded record" Ryan Garcia to "sign the contract and prepare to bend the knee"
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2020
Henry Cejudo has told Ryan Garcia to sign the contract after the undefeated boxer called him out. Garcia is currently 20-0 as a professional while also being the WBC silver lightweight champion. Yet, the 21-year-old took shots at Cejudo and Dillon Danis in a recent interview with ESPN.
John Kavanagh confirms Conor McGregor is retired but eyes three opponents for potential return
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2020
Conor McGregor is truly retired according to his head coach, John Kavanagh. McGregor recently tweeted he was retired yet many fans and fighters didn’t believe it. The Irishman has retired before but his coach claims he truly is done with fighting, as far as he can tell.
Mike Perry is confident he would beat “skinny and weak” Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2020
Mike Perry believes if he were to fight Nate Diaz, it would not end well for the Stockton, California native. Perry returned to the win column at UFC on ESPN 12 where he scored a unanimous decision win over Mickey Gall. “Platinum” was composed and even had success on the ground to earn the win.
Aspen Ladd turns to fans for help after beloved dog passes away, other dog loses leg
Adam Martin - June 30, 2020
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd has turned to her fans for help after her beloved dog passed away and her other dog had leg removal surgery. Ladd, the No. 3 ranked fighter in the women’s 135lbs division, took to social media to update fans about her current status. Ladd recently had a fight against Sara McMann fall through after Ladd suffered a serious injury in training and she is expected to be out three-to-nine months due to a lengthy recovery. Unfortunately, the bad luck did not stop there for Ladd, who recently suffered a personal tragedy in her life.
Ryan Garcia wants MMA fights with Henry Cejudo and "Conor McGregor's little dog" Dillon Danis
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2020
Boxing star Ryan Garcia has his sights set on two big names in the MMA world: former two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo, and Bellator staple Dillon Danis. Garcia has been jawing back with Cejudo quite a bit since the former UFC champ announced his retirement from MMA back in May. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Tuesday, Garcia once again took a shot at Cejudo.
Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill added to UFC Fight Night card in August
Adam Martin - June 30, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Michelle Waterson will take on Angela Hill at a UFC Fight Night event later this summer. Waterson vs. Hill will take place at a UFC Fight Night card on August 22 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMAjunkie.com was the first to confirm the upcoming bout.
UFC Octagon girl Arianny Celeste announces pregnancy
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2020
Arianny Celeste, the longest-serving and best known UFC Octagon Girl, has announced that she’s having a baby with her boyfriend Taylor King. Celeste shared this exciting news on Instagram on Tuesday morning.
VIDEO | Dana White shares first look at UFC Fight Island
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2020
UFC President Dana White has given fight fans their first real look at the UFC’s much discussed Fight Island, located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. White shared this preview, which showcase the COVID-19 testing facilities and fight venue being built on the island, on Twitter on Tuesday morning. See it below:
Robert Whittaker says he hasn't fought like himself since first Yoel Romero bout
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says he hasn’t felt like himself in the cage since his first fight with Yoel Romero, in July of 2017. Whittaker has made no secret of the fact that he’s recently been enduring some inner turmoil with respect to his fighting career. The former champion was expected to take on Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 in February, but pulled out of the contest, ultimately citing a need for a reset.