MMA News
Israel Adesanya reacts to callout from Tyron Woodley: “He must be broke”
Natasha Hooper - April 28, 2020
UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya believes Tyron Woodley’s willingness to fight him is a sign “he must be broke.” The former welterweight champion has been out of the action of since his 2019 title loss to Kamaru Usman. However, he was supposed to fight top-ranked contender Leon Edwards in March in the main event of UFC London. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was ultimately canceled. According to ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani, fighters were only paid $20,000 for the foiled event.
Daniel Cormier claims he looks like Dwayne Johnson, “The Rock” responds
Cole Shelton - April 27, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes he looks like Dwayne Johnson. Cormier, who is the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion has recently admitted to gaining a few pounds during quarantine. But, that didn’t stop “DC” from putting some input into an ESPN poster that made him look like The Rock.
Who has the best chance to end Amanda Nunes' bantamweight reign?
Cole Shelton - April 27, 2020
Amanda Nunes is considered to be the greatest female fighters of all-time. She’s beaten every single person who was the women’s bantamweight or featherweight champion in the UFC. Nunes doesn’t just win her fights but she either earns a finish or earns a dominant decision. She hasn’t appeared to be in any kind of trouble in a long time, so who has the best chance to end her reign at bantamweight?
Michael Chiesa won't fight during pandemic: "I’m not showing up unless I can be at my absolute best"
Cole Shelton - April 27, 2020
Michael Chiesa isn’t planning on fighting while the pandemic is going on. Although the UFC is returning on May 9, many states are still in lockdown leaving fighters without gyms or training partners to help prepare for fights. Yet, most fighters are still interested in competing, some like Amanda Nunes won’t be stepping in the Octagon.
Edson Barboza, Dan Ige booked to collide in Jacksonville
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
The UFC’s week-long celebration of the end of its coronavirus-related shutdown keeps getting better. The latest bout to be added to the list is a May 16 featherweight fight between long-time lightweight contender Edson Barboza and rising star Dan Ige. News of this booking was first reported by Raphael Marinho of Combate.
Andrei Arlovski added to May 13 card in Jacksonville
Adam Martin - April 27, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC card on May 13 in Jacksonville, Florida. Arlovski announced Monday on social media that he will take on Philipe Lins in a heavyweight bout on the new UFC Fight Night card scheduled for Wednesday, May 13. “The Pitbull” posted a photo of his bout agreement on his Instagram.
Dominick Reyes wants Jon Jones next, but would take Jan Blachowicz for interim belt
Adam Martin - April 27, 2020
Dominick Reyes is still hoping for a rematch against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but he would take an interim title fight with Jan Blachowicz. Reyes lost a contentious unanimous decision to Jones at UFC 247 in February, a fight that many fans and media members felt he won, not to mention UFC president Dana White. There was talk of an immediate rematch, but when Jan Blachowicz knocked out Corey Anderson at UFC Rio Rancho with Jones in attendance, the Pole jumped to the top of the line in the UFC light heavyweight title picture.
Mark Hunt trashes "thieving little grub" Dana White, says legal battle with UFC isn't over
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
Heavyweight legend Mark Hunt claims his legal battle with the UFC and its president Dana White is still ongoing. Speaking to Duello Channel recently, Hunt once again sounded off on the UFC and campaigned for the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to be introduced to MMA.
Kamaru Usman feels Tyron Woodley is "holding himself back," offers advice to former foe
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
Kamaru Usman feels that Tyron Woodley is “holding himself back” by being overly choosey in terms of the opponent for his next fight. Woodley has not fought since he surrendered the UFC welterweight title to Usman early last year. He was expected to return to the cage against Leon Edwards in London on March 21, but the event ultimately fell through due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Marlon Moraes defends Dominick Cruz title shot
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
Dominick Cruz will get a crack at reigning UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo at UFC 249 on May 9, but the booking has generated quite a bit of criticism. The bout’s naysayers point to the fact that Cruz, despite being arguably the best bantamweight ever, has not fought since a 2016 loss to Cody Garbrandt. At the same time, several contenders such as Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen are on impressive win-streaks in the division and have arguably already earned title shots themselves.
Rampage Jackson needs to prove he is serious about fighting before getting another bout with Bellator
Harry Kettle - April 27, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker believes that Rampage Jackson needs to prove he’s serious about fighting before he puts him back in the cage. Jackson returned to action back at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin in December 2019, losing to Fedor Emelianenko within just a few minutes of the fight getting underway.
Charles Oliveira still wants Conor McGregor fight
Harry Kettle - April 27, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira believes it makes sense for his next fight to be against Conor McGregor. Oliveira has won his last seven on the bounce, with his latest victory over Kevin Lee serving as a real statement of intent as he prepares to make a run at the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Dana White: A lot of MMA media "are going to get laid off pretty soon"
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
UFC President Dana White is adamant that, as of yet, no UFC employees have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic. That being said, White recognizes that many business are feeling the pinch during these unprecedented time, and forecasted that many members of the MMA media will soon find themselves on the chopping block. White discussed the topic in a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports, first assuring that all of “his people” are safe from potential layoffs.
Report | Former UFC champ Pat Miletich to end retirement for fight with boxer Michael Nunn
Natasha Hooper - April 27, 2020
Pat Miletich is putting the gloves back on. Miletich is a legend of the MMA. He was the UFC’s first welterweight champion and is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Alongside legends like Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie, he set the gold standard for the sport in the late ’90s.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father provides health update after hospitalization
Natasha Hooper - April 27, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, has revealed he is “feeling fine” despite a suspected pneumonia scare. As the world faces an ongoing health crisis, so did the lightweight champion’s father, as Abdulmanap was hospitalized over suspected pneumonia and flu-like symptoms. The news came from Dagestani sports commentator, Ramazan Rabadanov on Instagram.
BJJ with BJ: Knee On Belly Drill
Jason Kindschy - April 26, 2020
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”531935″ player=”20625″ title=”Knee On Belly Drill” duration=”18″ description=”BJ Penn demonstrates “Knee on Belly Drill”” uploaddate=”2020-03-18 19:49:54″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/thumb/531935_t_1584560999.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/sd/531935.mp4″”] In this segment of BJJ with BJ, “The Prodigy” demonstrates a quick drill for the knee on belly position.
BJJ with BJ: Pass Guard Toro Ando Drill
Jason Kindschy - April 26, 2020
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”531945″ player=”20625″ title=”BJJ with BJ Pass Guard Toro Ando Drill” duration=”29″ description=”BJ Penn demonstrates “Pass Guard Toro Ando Drill”.” uploaddate=”2020-03-18 20:07:59″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/thumb/531945_t_1584562085.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/sd/531945.mp4″”] In this segment of BJJ with BJ, “The Prodigy” demonstrates the Toro Ando drill for passing an opponents guard.
Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington: “I would love to shut him up”
Adam Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says he is interested in a fight against top contender Colby Covington in order to “shut him up.” Edwards was supposed to fight Tyron Woodley in a five-round main event at UFC London in March. The card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Edwards has been in limbo ever since. There’s still a chance the UFC could re-book Edwards vs. Woodley at some point, but given global travel restrictions at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s a fight that will be happening anytime soon.