MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly earned $16.5 million in 2019-2020, including $10 million for Dustin Poirier fight
Adam Martin - June 29, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was reportedly Russia’s “most successful” celebrity or athlete under 40 with $16.5 million earned in 2019-2020. Forbes reported that Nurmagomedov totaled $16.5 million in earnings for the fiscal year ending in April 2020. This put Nurmagomedov in elite company as he was ranked ahead of NHL superstars Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Artemi Panarin, plus a number of Russian celebrities and musicians, as well.
Jon Jones believes he "just has to get through round one" to beat Francis Ngannou if they end up fighting
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2020
Jon Jones knows there is a very real chance Francis Ngannou knocks him out if they end up fighting. But, the light heavyweight champion is confident in his skill set that he would be able to get the job done against ‘The Predator’. Following Ngannou’s massive UFC 249 win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Jones talked about moving up to heavyweight to fight him. It immediately caught the fans’ attention. Jones’ coach in Mike Winkeljohn said it was time for “Bones” to go to heavyweight.
What's next for Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker after UFC on ESPN 12?
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 12, aka UFC Vegas 4, Dustin Poirier was looking to return to the win column when he battled Dan Hooker. Ahead of the fight, many were expecting the bout to earn Fight of the Night honors. Yet, the two put on an all-time great fight and exceeded many fan’s expectations. In the end, it was Poirier who edged out the unanimous decision win after five hard rounds.
Charles Oliveira calls for McGregor, Poirier or Ferguson as next opponent
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2020
Charles Oliveira is looking to fight a top-ranked opponent in his next UFC appearance. The Brazilian is currently riding a seven-fight winning streak where last time out he submitted Kevin Lee in the main event of UFC Brasilia. It was a massive win and since he moved back up to lightweight, Oliveira has gone 8-1 with his lone loss to Paul Felder.
UFC on ESPN 12 medical suspensions: 3 fighters facing 6-month layoffs
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
UFC on ESPN 12 was an action-packed card from beginning to end. Unfortunately, the card also produced a number of lengthy medical suspensions. UFC on ESPN 12 was headlined by a lightweight war between ranked contenders Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker. Despite a strong start from Hooker, Poirier won this fight by unanimous decision. Both men have been suspended until August 27 with no contact until August 12.
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje was 'close to being done'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 29, 2020
Head coach John Kavanagh claims Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje was close to materializing. Gaethje has been on a tear since dropping back-to-back bouts against Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez. “The Highlight” is riding a four-fight winning streak. In that span, he’s beaten Tony Ferguson, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick.
UFC on ESPN 12 salaries: Dustin Poirier leads the pack
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
The salaries for last weekend’s UFC on ESPN 12 card, headlined by a lightweight war between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker, have been revealed. Poirier and Hooker engaged in one of the best fights of the year at UFC on ESPN 12—arguably one of the best fights in UFC history period. Hooker started the fight strong, but Poirier surged back in the second half, upping his striking output to capture a unanimous decision win.
Mike Perry rates girlfriend Latory Gonzalez's cornering
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
Mike Perry had just one person in his corner for his UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Mickey Gall: His girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez. Ahead of the fight, Perry’s decision to forgo actual coaches in favor of his girlfriend, who had never cornered a fight before, was met with widespread skepticism.
Robert Whittaker admits retirement was a possibility before Till fight
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says retirement was a possibility before he signed on to fight Darren Till on July 25. Whittaker last fought in October, when he surrendered the UFC middleweight title to Israel Adesanya. He was briefly scheduled to return to the cage against Jared Cannonier at UFC 248, but ultimately withdrew from the matchup.
Paige VanZant listed as massive underdog against Amanda Ribas
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
Fan favorite strawweight and flyweight fighter Paige VanZant has been listed as a huge betting underdog ahead of her fight with Amanda Ribas. VanZant and Ribas will collide at UFC 251 on July 11 in Abu Dhabi—the setting of the UFC’s much-discussed Fight Island. The bout will be VanZant’s first since a January, 2019 submission win over Rachael Ostovich, as she’s been sidelined with a string of unfortunate arm injuries.
Brian Ortega accuses The Korean Zombie of ducking him: "quit stalling"
Tom Taylor - June 29, 2020
Brian Ortega claims “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung is ducking him, and is urging the Korean star to “quit stalling.” Ortega and The Korean Zombie were originally scheduled to collide in Busan, South Korea back in December. Regrettably, Ortega was forced out of the matchup with a torn ACL, and replaced by Frankie Edgar. The Zombie went on to eat Edgar alive in the first round.
Eddie Alvarez discusses how fighters can avoid becoming "a slave to a promotion"
Harry Kettle - June 29, 2020
ONE Championship star Eddie Alvarez has spoken out about how fighters can avoid becoming a “slave” to MMA promotions. While the subject of fighter pay has always been a hot topic in mixed martial arts, the current pandemic really does seem to have magnified the issue — both in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and beyond.
Former UFC fighter Cindy Dandois starts OnlyFans account after losing gym due to COVID-19
Adam Martin - June 28, 2020
Former UFC women’s bantamweight Cindy Dandois has started an OnlyFans account for her fans after losing her gym due to COVID-19. Dandois made the announcement herself this weekend on her social media. Take a look below what she shared with her fans on Twitter.
Phil Baroni says Mike Perry is a poor's man version of him, promises to KO Perry if they fight
Adam Martin - June 28, 2020
MMA veteran Phil Baroni says that welterweight Mike Perry is a poor man’s version of him and said he would KO Perry if they ever fought. Like Perry, Baroni was known for his chiseled physique and also for his prodigious punching power. One of the biggest stars of the early days of the UFC, Baroni is most famous for his ridiculous KO over Dave Menne at UFC 39. It’s still to this day one of the most stunning knockouts we’ve ever seen inside the Octagon and despite an uneven record in the UFC, Baroni is still generally well regarded by fans and media for his action-packed fights.
PHOTO | Kay Hansen meets bettor who won $20,000 on her at UFC on ESPN 12
Adam Martin - June 28, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight prospect Kay Hansen met the bettor who won $20,000 on her in her UFC debut following a stunning submission win at UFC on ESPN 12. Hansen tapped out former Invicta FC champ Jinh Yu Frey in the third round with an armbar in what was an incredible UFC debut performance for the 20-year-old prospect, who was signed to fight in the UFC just one week ago. Despite taking the fight against Frey on incredibly short notice and going up against a seasoned veteran, Hansen was able to overcome a slow start and storm back late in the fight to pick up the win.
Ronda Rousey congratulates Kay Hansen on stunning armbar finish in UFC debut
Adam D Martin - June 28, 2020
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey took to social media to congratulate Octagon newcomer Kay Hansen on her stunning armbar submission at UFC on ESPN 12. Hansen, who is only 20 years old, was signed by the UFC one week ago to take on Jinh Yu Frey in a women’s strawweight contest on the UFC on ESPN 12 prelims. Despite being the youngest female fighter on the UFC roster, Hansen had a successful debut as she was able to pull off an incredible armbar submission stoppage in the third round in what was a close fight up until that point. It was an incredible finish that earned her a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night” on a card that was full of standout performances.
Photo | Jose Aldo is looking absolutely shredded ahead of UFC 251 title fight with Petr Yan
Adam D Martin - June 28, 2020
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is looking absolutely shredded for his upcoming bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan at UFC 251. UFC president Dana White gave Aldo the title shot over the other top contenders at 135lbs including Aljamain Sterling, and fans and media have been critical of that decision by the UFC. Despite being a legend of the sport, Aldo has lost his last two fights to Marlon Moraes and Alex Volkanovski, so for Aldo to get a crack at the belt over the other top contenders in the bantamweight division is certainly a controversial decision from the organization.
The curse of "The Irish Dragon" Paul Felder continued at UFC on ESPN 12
Adam D Martin - June 28, 2020
The curse of “The Irish Dragon” Paul Felder continued at UFC on ESPN 12 after Dan Hooker suffered a unanimous decision loss to Dustin Poirier. Every fighter who has defeated Felder has gone on to lose their next fight, as the following graphic from ESPN shows. Check it out below via Twitter.