MMA News
UFC on ESPN 8 produces strong viewership ratings
Tom Taylor - May 20, 2020
Last Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event in Jacksonville, Florida delivered strong viewership ratings for the promotion. According to a report from MMA Fighting, which cites data collected by the Nielsen Ratings System, the UFC on ESPN 8 main card averaged 1.198 million viewers and finished second in the valuable 18-49 demographic. It was No. 1 for the male audience in that age grouping.
Jon Jones responds to Francis Ngannou: “You ain’t scaring nobody, I saw your heart"
Harry Kettle - May 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones has hit back at Francis Ngannou as rumors of a fight between the two continue to grow. “The Predator” took another huge step towards a second title shot when he knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds at UFC 249. Jones, on the other hand, is coming off the back of a controversial victory over Dominick Reyes in Houston.
Alistair Overeem calls for a rematch with “Bigi Boy” following TKO victory over Walt Harris
Harry Kettle - May 20, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem has called for a rematch with Jairzinho Rozenstruik following his TKO win over Walt Harris. The Dutchman was able to return to winning ways at the weekend with an emotional and impressive triumph over the aforementioned Harris, overcoming an early onslaught in the process.
Jon Jones plays Tweet and delete following latest jab at Francis Ngannou
Natasha Hooper - May 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is playing a Twitter post and delete game as he attempts to bait Francis Ngannou into a fight. Jon Jones’ reign as the 205-pound king has been put into question since his last fight against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Jones won the fight by decision, but many spectators felt “The Devastator” gave the stronger performance.
Walt Harris plans to take Alistair Overeem up on his offer to train together following TKO loss
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Walt Harris says he will be taking Alistair Overeem up on his offer to train together following his TKO loss. In the main event of UFC on ESPN 8 in Jacksonville, Florida, Harris returned to the Octagon to battle Overeem. It was an important fight for the heavyweight division and early on, “The Big Ticket” dropped the 40-year-old and nearly finished him in the first round.
Anthony Smith says he would've fired his corner if they threw in the towel during Glover Teixeira fight
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Anthony Smith says he has told his corner before if they ever throw in the towel in one of his fights they would be fired. In the main event of UFC Jacksonville last Wednesday, many thought Smith’s corner let him down by not stopping the fight against Glover Teixeira. Yet, “Lionheart,” says they were just following his orders of never throwing in the towel.
Francis Ngannou doesn't believe Jon Jones fight happens but confident he'd KO "Bones" if it does
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Francis Ngannou doesn’t think Jon Jones truly wants to fight him. Ever since Ngannou knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249, Jones has taken to social media to say he wants to fight Ngannou. He has hinted at a move to heavyweight for some time now, but the heavyweight contender is skeptical he actually means it.
Edson Barboza says if UFC doesn't give him his win bonus he won't cut back down to 145
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2020
Edson Barboza hopes the UFC and Dana White finally show him some love and respect following his split decision loss to Dan Ige. At UFC on ESPN 8, Barboza dropped down to featherweight to take on 15th ranked Ige. Many had wondered how the Brazilian would fare in his debut and early on he had a ton of success by even dropping Ige in the first.
Francis Ngannou opens as betting favorite over Jon Jones
Adam Martin - May 19, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou opened as the betting favorite in a potential superfight against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Ngannou and Jones have been going back-and-forth on social media as of late with talks of a potential heavyweight superfight between two of the UFC’s biggest stars. Jones would be moving up in weight to take on Ngannou in what would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights in UFC history. Now the sportsbooks are getting in on the action.
The Joe Rogan Experience podcast to become Spotify exclusive
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
Spotify will soon become the exclusive streaming home of The Joe Rogan Experience, the popular podcast created by UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The streaming service announced this news in a release on Monday, identifying September 1 as the date the podcast will move to its new home. The release did not specify what this deal with mean for the JRE MMA Show, a popular, MMA-centric spinoff of the podcast, or Joe Rogan’s Fight Companion podcasts, during which the UFC commentator and combat sports notables like Eddie Bravo and Brendan Schaub break down live fights.
Eddie Alvarez makes prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje matchup
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
If Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje collide in the Octagon, Eddie Alvarez believes McGregor will come out on top. Gaethje, who captured the interim lightweight title with a win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, has been called out by McGregor several times since, renewing discussions about a potential fight between them.
Alistair Overeem: Jon Jones can "definitely" beat Francis Ngannou
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
Alistair Overeem is very confident that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones could win a heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou. Jones and Ngannou have been going back and forth on social media over the last week or so, with both men expressing their interest in a potential fight.
VIDEO | Top-10 Knockouts in ONE Championship heavyweight history
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
The ONE Championship heavyweight division has produced some incredible knockouts over the years, and you can relive the very best of those knockouts right here (via ONE Championship on YouTube).
Michael Bisping: Alistair Overeem helped inspire Walt Harris to start MMA
Natasha Hooper - May 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping says Walt Harris discovered MMA by watching his most recent opponent, Alistair Overeem. The former champion turned UFC commentator hosts a podcast, Believe You, Me, with co-host Luis J Gomez. During this week’s episode, Bisping and Gomez discussed Harris’ loss to Overeem last weekend in the main event of UFC on ESPN 8.
Eddie Bravo admits he "froze" in Tony Ferguson corner: "I shouldn’t have been in there"
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
Renowned BJJ coach Eddie Bravo says he “froze” in Tony Ferguson’s corner during the UFC 249 main event. Ferguson battled Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the card’s headliner. Despite entering the fight on a borderline preposterous 12-fight win-streak, Ferguson experienced a lopsided beatdown in this title fight, and was ultimately stopped in the fifth round.
Jon Jones shares ideal weight range for heavyweight title win
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is confident that he’ll soon win the promotion’s heavyweight title to become a two-division champ. Jones has been teasing a move up to the heavyweight division for years, but has been doing so at an increased degree of late, repeatedly calling for a fight with streaking heavyweight knockout artist Francis Ngannou.
Gilbert Burns confirms "bout agreement is signed" for Tyron Woodley fight
Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns says he’s signed a bout agreement for a long-rumored scrap with former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley. Burns has gone 3-0 since moving from the lightweight division to the welterweight division, defeating Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, and most recently, former title challenger Demian Maia, who he knocked out in March.
PHOTO | Niko Price shows off battle scars one week after war with Vicente Luque
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2020
UFC welterweight Niko Price has shown off the war wounds he sustained in his epic battle with Vicente Luque at UFC 249 in Jacksonville. Price is well known for his ability to steal the show on any card the UFC puts him on, and while he may not always come out on top, he almost always gives fans what they came to see in the form of thrilling entertainment and drama.