MMA News
Jon Jones opens up on decision to confront 'hooligans' during protest
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
Earlier this week, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones made headlines for confiscating a can of spray paint from some would-be vandals during a protest in Albuquerque. Speaking to Fox News, Jones opened up on his decision to intervene.
UFC rankings update: Gilbert Burns surges up at welterweight
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 card, and as expected, there have been some big changes. Most notably, Gilbert Burns has taken a huge climb up the welterweight list, settling in at No. 1 on the strength of his dominant defeat of the former champion Tyron Woodley, who has tumbled down to No. 4.
Chael Sonnen takes aim at Jon Jones once again, this time for vacating his title
Natasha Hooper - June 2, 2020
Chael Sonnen has named himself the new UFC light heavyweight champion after Jon Jones vacated the spot over rising tensions with the promotion. This week, the conflict between Jon Jones and the UFC reached a boiling point. The organization’s president, Dana White, claimed that the fighter was asking too much money for a Francis Ngannou mega fight. “Bones” responded and accused White of lying, as he denied even offering a set figure or entering matchup negotiations. He also suggested that he feels undervalued by the organization and isn’t paid accordingly, especially compared to boxers like Deontay Wilder. He eventually announced his decision to vacate the light heavyweight title.
VIDEO | Israel Adesanya speaks at Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland
Natasha Hooper - June 2, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out at a Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland. “The Last Stylebender” is known for being outspoken, and he isn’t scared to speak on topics outside of the MMA circuit. That includes the devastating killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in America last week. His passing has ignited debate and protest over police brutality and the treatment of black citizens in the country.
Marlon Moraes calls out Dominick Cruz after losing Petr Yan fight
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
Marlon Moraes has his eyes set on Dominick Cruz. Moraes was originally supposed to fight Petr Yan at UFC Kazakhstan on June 13. Yet, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian will now be fighting Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight title.
Coach would be "surprised" if Jon Jones never fights again but adds he is "serious about vacating the belt"
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn says Jon Jones is happy with vacating the light heavyweight belt and walking away from the sport for a few years. Recently, Jones and Dana White have not seen eye-to-eye about his pay to move up to heavyweight and fight Francis Ngannou. “Bones” has come out and said he would walk away from the sport and on Sunday night claimed he was vacating the belt. According to his coach in Winkeljohn, the champ is 100 percent serious about it.
Felicia Spencer believes she will "shock the world" with stoppage win over Amanda Nunes
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
Felicia Spencer believes she’ll pull off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 250, Amanda Nunes is looking to defend her featherweight title against Spencer. It was originally supposed to happen at UFC 249 on May 9 but Nunes needed it delayed until June.
Dana White says Jon Jones' future is "up to him"
Mike Pendleton - June 1, 2020
After looking to setup a fight with Francis Ngannou, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones now has his future up in the air due to a financial public dispute with UFC President Dana White. Jones took to Twitter over the weekend and announced he would be vacating his 205-pound title, and now White has responded. White provided a statement to The Canadian Press on Monday, responding to Jones’ and said if the champion wants to retire, he has made enough money in his career where he can do that as well.
Report: Nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana
Adam Martin - June 1, 2020
A new report from The Athletic suggests that nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana for recovery or recreational purposes. The Athletic polled 170 MMA fighters from promotions all over the world and found that 45.9 percent use marijuana, while 76.5 percent say they have used CBD products. Additionally, 4.7 percent of the fighters polled used marijuana in the past but now don’t.
Valentina Shevchenko praises Antonina following sister's loss to Chookagian
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko has sent a warm message to her older sister, Antonina, who was defeated by Katlyn Chookagian at UFC on ESPN 9 last weekend. In her message, Valentina called Antonina her inspiration, and apologized for not being in her corner on fight night.
UFC on ESPN 9 salaries: Tyron Woodley out-earns Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Gilbert Burns was the picture of dominance in his unanimous decision victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 9, but he earned less than his vanquished foe. The UFC on ESPN 9 card went down this past Saturday at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card marked the promotion’s return to its Sin City headquarters after three consecutive events in Jacksonville, Florida.
Following historic submission win Mackenzie Dern says her next goal is to become mom champ
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
Following her big win at UFC on ESPN 9 this weekend, Mackenzie Dern has set her sights on becoming a “mom champ” in the promotion. Dern put in an incredibly impressive showing on Saturday night as she secured a kneebar submission win over Hannah Cifers. The first round triumph earned Dern a Performance of the Night bonus, and it also got her back in the win column after her loss to Amanda Ribas back in October 2019.
VIDEO | Chuck Liddell attempts to soothe tensions at Huntington Beach rally
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell did his part to diffuse tensions at a rally in Huntington Beach, California. Like many other cities across the United States, Huntington Beach has been the setting of rallies and protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Several of these protests have turned violent, and Liddell was evidently eager to avoid such an outcome in Huntington Beach.
Georges St-Pierre names the UFC fighters he enjoys watching most
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is now retired, but he still enjoys watching the sport that made him a star. Speaking to Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post recently, St-Pierre named the UFC fighters that have been capturing his attention of late.
Gilbert Burns wants to stay busy, eyes three potential opponents for June return
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has named three possible opponents for a quick return to action in June. Burns dominated Tyron Woodley at the UFC Apex facility on Saturday night, registering a decisive unanimous decision victory to take his winning streak up to six.
Ben Askren thinks Jon Jones is likely worth more than the UFC is paying him
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Ben Askren backs Jon Jones as he suspects the UFC is not paying him what he is worth. Jon Jones’ relationship with the UFC and its president, Dana White, has been tainted over a possible clash against Francis Ngannou. The light heavyweight champion has shared his interest in moving up a weight division to face the heavy-hitter. Ngannou has also shown mutual interest in the blockbuster bout.
VIDEO | Jon Jones confiscates spray paint in Albuquerque protest: "Is this s**t even about George Floyd anymore?"
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently confiscated a can of spray paint from a protester in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many cities across the United States, Albuquerque has been the setting of major protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer late last month.
Tito Ortiz shares unfounded George Floyd conspiracy theory
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz recently shared a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a police offer in Minneapolis, Minnesota in late May. Ortiz voiced this conspiracy theory, which is equal parts baseless and toxic, on social media. In short, he suggested the killing of George Floyd is part of some elaborate scheme by the Joe Biden presidential campaign, rather than the result of deep-rooted and institutionalized racism in the United States.