MMA News
Dustin Poirier named first-ever winner of Forrest Griffin Community Award
Adam Martin - June 26, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has been named as the recipient of the first-ever Forrest Griffin Community Award presented by Toyo Tires. The UFC made the announcement on Friday, the day before Poirier fights Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12. Check out the announcement via Twitter.
Joe Rogan confirms Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa will coach The Ultimate Fighter
Adam Martin - June 26, 2020
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan confirmed that UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. Rogan made the announcement on a recent edition of his podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Check out what he said below.
Dana White previews the sleeper fights on UFC on ESPN 12
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
UFC President Dana White has previewed some of the under-the-radar fights on the UFC on ESPN 12 card, which goes down on Saturday night. UFC on ESPN 12 will be headlined by a clash of lightweight contenders, as the No. 3 ranked Dustin Poirier looks to rebound from a failed title bid against Khabib Nurmagomedov by defeating streaking Kiwi contender Dan Hooker. It will be co-headlined by a fun welterweight scrap between Mickey Gall and “Platinum” Mike Perry.
VIDEO | Dustin Poirier, Dan Hooker have tense staredown ahead of UFC on ESPN 12
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
On Friday, Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker came face-to-face for a final time before they’re locked in the Octagon together on Saturday night. Poirier and Hooker will collide in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12, an under-the-radar card out of the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC on ESPN 12 weigh-in results: Main event official
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for the fourth week in a row with the exciting UFC on ESPN 12 card. UFC on ESPN 12 will be headlined by a clash of lightweight contenders, as the No. 3 ranked Dustin Poirier looks to rebound from a failed title bid against Khabib Nurmagomedov by defeating streaking Kiwi contender Dan Hooker.
Cornerman's positive COVID-19 test forces late changes to UFC on ESPN 12
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2020
A positive COVID-19 test has caused a last-minute change to the UFC on ESPN 12 lineup. Ramiz Brahimaj has been forced to withdraw from his promotional debut on this weekend’s fight card after his cornerman tested positive for COVID-19. The welterweight (8-2) has been fighting for LFA, and was ready to make his transition to the UFC against Takashi Sato at UFC on ESPN 12 on Saturday night. However, on Thursday evening, it was announced that Brahimaj was forced to withdraw from the card due to the risk of infection.
ONE Championship announces return on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
After a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, ONE Championship has announced that it will return to our screens with an event in Bangkok, Thailand on July 31. ONE recently promoted a pair of ONE Hero Series of events in Shanghai, China, but the bouts did not air outside the country. This Bangkok event will be broadcast globally.
Mike Perry says Jon Jones introduced him to his new girlfriend and cornerwoman
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
“Platinum” Mike Perry says UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones introduced him to his current girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez. Perry and Gonzalez have been in the headlines quite a bit over the last few weeks.
Shane Burgos rips the UFC Rankings system after plummeting 5 spots following loss to Josh Emmett
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2020
Shane Burgos has been added to the list of UFC fighters who have called out the promotion’s questionable ranking system. The UFC’s ranking board has received wide criticism over the way it ranks fighters. Last year, a Reddit user discovered the flawed methods that the organization implements to rank its fighters. He posted an in-depth rundown of all 14 panellists who determine the final rankings, and revealed that a third are not even active MMA media members. The UFC have been criticized for ranking fighters based on their media presence, and personality, not just their fighting record. Jon Jones, Edson Barboza and Leon Edwards have all called out the current system and its shortcoming of late.
Referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones "would have lost his world title if I wasn't doing his fight at UFC 165"
Christopher Taylor - June 25, 2020
Veteran mixed martial arts referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones would have lost his world title at UFC 165 if it were not for him. Jones (26-1 MMA) squared off with Alexander Gustafsson for the first time at the September 2013 pay-per-view event in Toronto, which resulted in arguably the greatest light heavyweight contest in mixed martial arts history.
Bas Rutten shares his Mount Rushmore of MMA, includes Conor McGregor
Chris Taylor - June 25, 2020
Former UFC champion Bas Rutten has followed in the footsteps of Dana White by revealing his selections for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA. Last week the UFC President surprised many fight fans with his four picks for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA.
Paulo Costa tells the UFC to send him Israel Adesanya’s address so he can make ‘Stylebender’ sign the contract
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
Paulo Costa is getting frustrated with Israel Adesanya. Ever since Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 241, it was expected he would fight the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Adesanya at UFC 243. The Brazilian was there Octagon-side and following the event, it was reported him and “The Last Stylebender” would meet in March.
Youssef Zalal promises there "will be a finish" in UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Jordan Griffin
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
Youssef Zalal is looking to go 2-0 inside the UFC Octagon when he battles Jordan Griffin this Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 12. Zalal made his UFC debut on short notice against Austin Lingo where he scored a decision win. Now, his second UFC appearance will also be happening on short notice, which for the Morrocan, says is normal.
Jon Jones prepared to sit out multiple years to "make change"
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones believes fighters deserve to be paid more, and he’s willing to risk precious years of his own career to prove it. Jones, 32, has spent the last few weeks butting heads with UFC brass over the amount he’s paid to fight.
Jorge Masvidal "a hundred percent" interested in fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal says he’s interested in a potential fight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Masvidal discussed the possibility of a fight with Nurmagomedov during a Q&A on Instagram Live this week. He praised the lightweight champion, and conceded that he’d be willing to fight him in the 155-pound lightweight division, so long as the UFC makes the move worth his while.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will retire after Shogun Rua trilogy: "I think my time has arrived"
Adam Martin - June 25, 2020
UFC light heavyweight veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira says he will retire from MMA after his trilogy fight against Shogun Rua on July 25 on Fight Island. Nogueira takes on his long-time rival Shogun at the fourth and final Fight Island event in Abu Dhabi this summer. The bout marks the third meeting between these two legends of the game after their previous encounters in PRIDE in 2005 and in the Octagon in 2015. Shogun won decisions in both of their previous bouts, and Nogueira will look to break that streak this summer as he looks to end his incredible career on a high note.
Gilbert Burns believes Jorge Masvidal could learn from Khabib, Cormier, GSP
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Gilbert Burns feels Jorge Masvidal is employing the wrong strategy as he seeks to improve the pay he receives from the UFC. Masvidal was expected to receive a shot at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but was ultimately sidelined after he entered into a heated contract dispute with the UFC. The fan favorite welterweight made no secret of his gripes about his pay, frequently lashing out at the UFC on social media, and even asked the promotion to release him if they’re not willing to pay him more.
Brock Lesnar accused of exposing himself to female peer
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE star Brock Lesnar has been accused of exposing himself to a female wrestler. The accusation comes from retired wrestler Terri Runnels.