MMA News
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.
What's next for Gilbert Burns and Tyron Woodley after UFC on ESPN 9?
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Gilbert Burns was looking for the biggest win of his career as he was welcoming Tyron Woodley back to the Octagon. It was the first time Woodley would be fighting since his dominant decision loss to Kamaru Usman to lose his belt. In the lead up to the fight, he said he was motivated once again and would take Burns into deep waters. Yet, that is far from what happened as the Brazilian won every single round to take a decision win.
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.
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.
Georges St-Pierre explains decision to retire from MMA: “I stopped because of the stress”
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Georges St-Pierre revealed his reasons for hanging up his gloves in MMA, and discussed whether he could ever return to the Octagon. The widely regarded G.O.A.T officially retired from MMA in February 2019. He is often praised for retiring whilst still on top, as he was riding a 13-fight win streak and had already claimed welterweight and middleweight belts.
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.
Dominick Reyes reacts after Jon Jones announces plans to vacate belt
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Dominick Reyes expressed his disappointment following the news that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones plans on vacating his belt. Jones said on Sunday that he will vacate the light heavyweight belt after getting into a public contractual disagreement with the UFC about a potential Francis Ngannou superfight. Jones was looking to be compensated for what he feels to be fair value for the bout, but UFC president Dana White said Jones is asking for too much money, which is why the Ngannou fight fell apart.
Jon Jones says he is vacating UFC light heavyweight title, calls for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz vacant title fight
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’s vacating his belt and is proposing the UFC match up Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz for the title. Jones has been in a contract squabble with the UFC after a superfight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou felt through due to financial issues. UFC president Dana White suggested that Jones asked for an “obscene” amount of money for the fight, and Jones has since said that White is lying to be fans about how much money he’s asking for to fight Ngannou.
Dana White confirms UFC will "kick" extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion will “kick” some extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle for their fight at UFC Las Vegas. Quarantillo defeated Carlyle via unanimous decisions in one of the most back-and-forth fights on the card, a bout that had fans buzzing as it was action-packed for all 15 minutes. Both Quarantillo and Carlyle were close to finishing the fight at numerous point, with Quarantillo ultimately being able to grind out a victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Photo | Antonina Shevchenko releases statement following “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Antonina Shevchenko has released a statement following a “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns. Despite entering the fight as the betting favorite, Shevchenko was dominated by Chookagian for 15 minutes, getting taken down at will and beat up on the ground. It was the best performance of Chookagian’s UFC career to date, and she needed it after losing in devastating fashion to UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in his last fight, Antonina’s sister.
Dana White reacts to Gilbert Burns' dominant win over Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White said he was impressed by welterweight standout Gilbert Burns’ win over Tyson Woodley at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Burns picked up the biggest win of his career when he earned a unanimous decision win over Woodley in the main event of the evening. It was the sixth win in a row for Burns, who moved to a perfect 4-0 since moving up to welterweight in 2019, with previous victories over Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, and Alexey Kunchenko. After the event, his boss White praised his performance against Woodley.
Triple H confirms WWE interested in Daniel Cormier and Conor McGregor
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
WWE executive Triple H has confirmed the pro wrestling giant is interested in the services of UFC stars Daniel Cormier and Conor McGregor. The WWE legend Triple H told TMZ Sports that the WWE has held conversations with Cormier about a potential job, but said he respects UFC president Dana White and would only bring in DC to the WWE if the UFC cleared it.
Dana White claims the UFC will lose $100 million this year
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White claimed that the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion will lose $100 million this year due to not having a live gate. The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged businesses all over the world, and the sports world is no different. The NBA, MLB, and NHL are all currently on hiatus, while the UFC only recently returned to action, albeit with no crowd in attendance. Although the UFC is still pulling in money from its TV deal with ESPN, not having a live gate is apparently costing the organization millions of dollars in lost revenue each event they put on.
Joe Rogan reacts to the riots in LA: The country is "haywire" right now
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan reacted to the riots in Los Angeles, writing on his social media that the United States is “haywire” right now. The entire world is on fire right now due to the murder of George Floyd, and riots have emerged in several cities in the U.S. because of it including Rogan’s home base of LA. Rogan is one of the most influential podcasters in the world right now and what he thinks about the Floyd incident is an opinion that is heard by millions of his fans.
Jon Jones says he would make more money in boxing than in three UFC fights combined
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he would make more money in a potential boxing match than in his next three UFC fights combined. Jones and UFC president Dana White have been jawing at each other in interviews and on social media as of late after a potential superfight with Francis Ngannou fell apart due to financial issues. White accused Jones of asking for an “obscene” amount of money to make the Ngannou fight happen, to which Jones said that White was “lying” to him and the fans about. Jones even asked for his release from the UFC because he was so upset with White’s comments.
Tyron Woodley reacts following loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC on ESPN 9
Chris Taylor - May 30, 2020
Tyron Woodley made his highly anticipated return to the Octagon this evening in Las Vegas for a welterweight bout with surging contender Gilbert Burns. Woodley (19-4-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since surrendering his welterweight title to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235. Prior to that setback, ‘The Chosen One’ had put together a seven-fight unbeaten streak, which included three successful welterweight title defenses.