MMA News
Dana White shares his thoughts on the police brutality protests occurring across America
Chris Taylor - June 8, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on the police brutality protests occurring across the United States of America. Following the tragic murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Ultimate Fighting Championship dedicated last weekend’s ESPN fight card ‘in memoriam’ of the African American victim. White said it was “the right thing to do”, but did not discuss the subject in any further detail.
Mike Perry thanks the UFC for finally providing a "weak opponent" in Mickey Gall
Chris Taylor - June 7, 2020
Fan favorite Mike Perry (13-6 MMA) will return to the Octagon on June 27 for a welterweight bout with Mickey Gall. Perry will be looking to snap a two fight losing skid when he takes on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt later this month.
Photo | Herbert Burns suffered a gnarly foot injury at UFC 250
Chris Taylor - June 7, 2020
Featherweight prospect Herbert Burns took on veteran Evan Dunham in the first bout of the evening at Saturday’s UFC 250 event in Las Vegas. The result was a quick first round submission from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist. Burns (10-2 MMA) was able to take Dunham (18-8 MMA) to the canvas in the early moments of round one and promptly proceeded to lock in a fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Jon Jones responds to Dana White's "you don't have to fight" comments
Chris Taylor - June 7, 2020
The ongoing feud between UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones and promotional President Dana White continued this evening. The beef all started after ‘Bones’ expressed his interest in moving up a weight class to take on feared knockout artist Francis Ngannou. Unfortunately for fight fans, negotiations for the fight broke down and shortly after Jones suggested he was considering taking a hiatus from MMA.
Sean O’Malley shares theory on why Henry Cejudo actually retired from MMA
Adam Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley shared his theory as to why former champion Henry Cejudo recently retired after UFC 249. Cejudo surprised the MMA community when he vacated the UFC bantamweight title following a TKO win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. Cejudo was arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport and so him hanging up his gloves surprised many fans, media, and fighters. O’Malley, however, was not surprised.
Stipe Miocic teases imminent return to the Octagon
Adam Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic returned his imminent comeback to the Octagon after nearly a year away from the cage. Miocic has not fought since UFC 241 in August 2019 due to injuries and then the coronavirus pandemic. Miocic dealt with an eye injury for months following his rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 241 and then afterwards ran into the coronavirus pandemic as a first responder in his native Ohio. UFC president Dana White was among those to criticize the UFC heavyweight champion for turning down fights as Miocic said he would only fight Cormier in the trilogy match once he was finished with his first responder duties. White even threatened to strip Miocic of his title.
Gray Maynard says he was given "hush money" bonus from UFC following war with Frankie Edgar
Adam Martin - June 7, 2020
Former UFC lightweight contender Gray Maynard shared a story of how he was given a “hush money” bonus by the UFC following his war with Frankie Edgar at UFC 125. Maynard and Edgar put on one of the greatest lightweight title fights of all-time back at UFC 125 in January 2011. The two veterans fought back-and-forth for 25 minutes in what was scored a split draw by the judges. It’s a fight that will more than likely land in the UFC Hall of Fame’s “Fight Wing” sometime in the near future.
Photo | Conor McGregor shares "Happy Retirement Daddy" cake
Adam Martin - June 7, 2020
The day after announcing his retirement via social media, UFC superstar Conor McGregor posted a photo of a cake with the words “Happy Retirement Daddy.”
Jorge Masvidal details how UFC conducts contracts negotiations: "(It's) take it or leave it"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal took to social media to detail how the UFC conducts its contract negotiations, saying it’s “take it or leave it.” Masvidal is locked into a contract dispute with the UFC right now. The promotion is hoping to book him against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but Masvidal is looking to get a raise on his current contract to take the fight. UFC president Dana White doesn’t want to renegotiate the detail, leading to talks for the Usman fight being stalled. The promotion is now looking at Gilbert Burns to step in and fight Usman instead.
Dana White responds to Jorge Masvidal’s request for release: “He just signed a new deal, 7 fights left”
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White responded to Jorge Masvidal’s request to be released, saying that the welterweight superstar recently signed a seven-fight deal. Masvidal asked the UFC to release him this week, following in the footsteps of other stars like Jon Jones who are asking the UFC to pay them more money. Masvidal wants a bigger piece of the pie to go to MMA fighters and if that doesn’t happen he wants to be able to test the free market and see what his true value actually is.
Cody Garbrandt would like a third shot at TJ Dillashaw: “We all know what he was on”
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt says he wants a trilogy fight with long-time rival TJ Dillashaw when he returns from his USADA suspension. Garbrandt and Dillashaw have fought twice previously, with Dillashaw getting the better of Garbrandt both times. The two first locked horns at UFC 217, with Dillashaw scoring an upset with via second-round TKO. The two then rematched at UFC 227, with Dillashaw once again winning, this time by first-round TKO. Garbrandt would go on to lose his next fight to Pedro Munhoz by knockout, as well. As for Dillashaw, he tested positive for PEDs after a flyweight fight against Henry Cejudo and was suspended for two years.
Dana White was not happy about being asked why so many fighters are asking for more money
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White was not happy when he was asked about why so many fighters on the UFC roster are now asking the organization for more money. In the last few weeks, we have seen Henry Cejudo retire, Jon Jones ask for his release, Jorge Masvidal ask for more money, Sean O’Malley ask for a raise, and Conor McGregor announce his retirement. For most of these fighters, the No. 1 complaint as to why they are airing their grievances is fighter pay. Compared to most other major professional sports leagues, the UFC pays its athletes a far smaller fraction of the revenue.
Conor McGregor explains why he's retiring: "I'm a bit bored of the game"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor explained his decision to announce his retirement from mixed martial arts, explaining that he’s “bored” with the sport. McGregor shocked the MMA community immediately following UFC 250 when he took to Twitter to announce his retirement from the sport. This is not the first time McGregor has said he will retire only to come back and fight, but this time, he says he’s serious.
Report | Date and location revealed for Fight Island
Alfredo Zullino - June 7, 2020
The most anticipated mixed martial arts’ mystery is finally solved. Abu Dhabi is going to host UFC Fight Island. According to a report from Combate’s own Marcelo Barone and Raphael Marinho, the site intended to host Fight Island’s events is not some location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but instead a well-known city by the UFC fans.
Sean O’Malley wants to renegotiate contract following UFC 250: “I definitely want to get paid what I feel I’m worth”
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley says he wants to renegotiate his contract following a stunning KO win over Eddie Wineland at UFC 250. O’Malley improved to a perfect 12-0 record so far in his MMA career including a 4-0 mark in the UFC. He’s defeated Wineland, Jose Quinonez, Andre Soukhamthath and Terrion Ware so far in the Octagon as he’s quickly become one of the most popular fighters in the sport. And now he wants to get paid what he’s worth.
Dana White reacts after Conor McGregor announces his retirement from fighting
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White reacted to Conor McGregor’s surprising announcement that he is retiring from mixed martial arts following UFC 250. McGregor sent out a Tweet immediately following last night’s pay-per-view card that indicated he is planning on retiring. It’s not the first time McGregor has sent out a Tweet saying he is retiring, and every time he has said in the past he’s hanging up his gloves he’s eventually returned to the Octagon.
Video | Tito Ortiz calls out 'The Rock' Dwayne Johnson in defense of President Donald Trump
Chris Taylor - June 6, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has called out ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson in defense of United States President Donald Trump. If you recall, earlier this week the former WWE wrestler turned Hollywood megastar, Johnson, took to social media where released a video attacking Donald Trump for his handling of the George Floyd death and the subsequent protests and outrage.
UFC star Conor McGregor announces his retirement from fighting
Chris Taylor - June 6, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor shocked fans by announcing his retirement immediately following the conclusion of tonight’s UFC 250 event. The Irishman took to Twitter moments after Amanda Nunes defeated Felicia Spencer to make the shocking announcement.