MMA News
Marc Montoya opens up on criticism following Anthony Smith fight
Mike Pendleton - June 2, 2020
After receiving plenty of criticism from the decisions made in the corner in Anthony Smith’s last fight, Factory X head coach Marc Montoya has finally responded. In his last fight against Glover Teixeira back in May, Smith took a lot of damage to the extent that many had called for his corner to stop the fight, which they did not do but the referee ultimately ended it in the fifth-round.
Full betting odds released for UFC 250
Adam Martin - June 2, 2020
The full opening betting odds have been released for all 12 fights scheduled to take place this Saturday at UFC 250 in Las Vegas. UFC 250 takes place this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a women’s featherweight title fight between champion Amanda Nunes and challenger Felicia Spencer. The event also features a number of top-ranked bantamweights going at it, including Aljamain Sterling against Cory Sandhagen and Cody Garbrandt vs. Raphael Assuncao.
Conor McGregor condemns "injustice, racism and intolerance" amid George Floyd protests
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has issued a statement amid the ongoing George Floyd protests, condemning the racism and injustice sweeping the United States and the planet. Floyd, and African American, was killed by a caucasian police officer in Minneapolis last month. The officer was subsequently charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Ever since, the country has been roiling with impassioned protests, as citizens demand an end to the deep-rooted and festering racism that led to Floyd’s killing.
Angela Lee shares heartfelt anti-bullying message after death of wrestler Hana Kimura
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
ONE Championship star Angela Lee has shared a heartfelt anti-bullying message after the tragic death of 22-year-old pro wrestler Hana Kimura, who took her own life last month. Lee, who currently holds the ONE atomweight title, made her statement on Instagram.
UFC on ESPN 9 Medical Suspensions: Tyron Woodley needs doctor's clearance
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2020
UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley must receive clearance from a doctor before competing again after his loss to Gilbert Burns last weekend. Woodley, who many considered to be the favorite heading into the fight against “Durinho”, was decisively beaten in a convincing unanimous decision loss at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones "understands his value," could get "$7-8 million base" for Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier understands why Jon Jones is demanding more money for a fight with Francis Ngannou. Cormier feels that Jones recognizes his value to the UFC, and suspects that, if the light heavyweight champ plays his cards right, he could wind up getting the kind of hefty payday he wants for the Ngannou fight.
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.
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.
After seeing his father’s store destroyed Belal Muhammad sends a strong message to looters
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2020
UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad has hit out at looters following the destruction of his father’s store in the George Floyd riots. Following the murder of the aforementioned Floyd, protests have swept across the United States across the last week with many making their voices heard. Unfortunately, what started off as a set of peaceful movements quickly escalated into a series of looting situations all over the nation.
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.
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.
Jon Jones hits the streets of Albuquerque to clean up after protests
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is doing his part to clean up the streets Albuquerque, New Mexico after a number of protests hit the city over the weekend. On Monday afternoon, Jones rallied a crew of volunteers, packed them into a van, and set out to do affect some positive change. He announced his mission in a post to his Instagram story.
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.
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.