MMA News
Chi Lewis-Parry open to giving Jon Jones life advice despite previous rivalry
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
European light heavyweight prospect Chi Lewis-Parry says he is willing to give Jon Jones life advice despite their previous rivalry. Lewis-Parry is an experienced kickboxer for GLORY and one of the better free agent light heavyweight prospects not in a major organization. Last May, Lewis-Parry got into a shouting contest at an autograph signing by Jones in the UK before security removed him from the situation. He later explained that his beef with Jones dated back to when Lewis-Parry was a member of Daniel Cormier’s training camp before the Jones rematch.
Gilbert Burns roasts “dumbass” Ben Askren on social media
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2020
Gilbert Burns roasted former UFC welterweight Ben Askren on social media earlier today. During the quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Burns has been active on social media tweeting funny videos and memes. One meme he kept on using was a group of men carrying a coffin. Askren posted on social media wondering what it was about and Burns was quick to respond.
Ion Cutelaba denied appeal in controversial TKO loss to Magomed Ankalaev
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba had his appeal denied in his controversial TKO loss to Magomedov Ankalaev at UFC Norfolk. Cutelaba protested the stoppage with the Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board in Virginia just days after the controversial stoppage at UFC Norfolk, which many fellow fighters, fans, and media rated as one of the worst stoppages ever in a UFC fight. Cutelaba was absolutely livid with the stoppage and his team promptly appealed it.
Who has the best chance to end Israel Adesanya's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2020
Israel Adesanya has yet to lose in MMA including being 8-0 inside the Octagon where he defended his middleweight belt for the first time at UFC 248. There, he edged out a decision win over Yoel Romero in a lackluster fight. Although “The Last Stylebender” has looked impressive he has some tough challenges ahead of him. When the UFC returns, Adesanya’s next title defense will come against undefeated Paulo Costa. If he gets past that, he could fight the likes of Jared Cannonier and Darren Till among others. Although some think Costa could earn a knockout win, it is another undefeated fighter in Edmen Shahbazyan who poses the biggest problems.
Lyman Good becomes first UFC fighter to test positive for coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Lyman Good has become the first fighter on the UFC roster to test positive for the coronavirus. Thankfully, he has recovered from it. Good was set to fight Belal Muhammad at UFC 249 before withdrawing from the bout due to injury. However, in a new interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Good admitted that he told the UFC he was injured when, in fact, he had coronavirus.
Amanda Nunes pulls out of May 9 fight with Felicia Spencer, wants a full training camp
Mike Pendleton - April 20, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on combat sports and the UFC’s plans for when they return to action. Current bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes was reportedly set to be part of the UFC’s return card that is scheduled for May 9, where she was to defend her featherweight title against contender Felicia Spencer. As first reported by ESPN, Nunes was going to be a part of a planned supercard by the UFC which featured three title fights including Nunes’ featherweight title. However the plan has now changed for the champion as she told Brian Campbell of CBS Sports that she will not be fighting on May 9, because it’s too soon for her.
Alexander Shlemenko interested in signing with the UFC
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko says he is interested in signing with the UFC once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Shlemenko is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters who is not currently part of a large organization. Between 2013 and 2014, Shlemenko was the Bellator middleweight champion and defended his belt three times. He is also a two-time winner of the Bellator middleweight tournament from the Bjorn Rebney days of the company.
Manager open to potential title fight between clients Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz will not stand in the way of a lightweight title fight between his clients Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. As anybody who has been paying any attention to the UFC over the last few weeks knows, a fight between Nurmagomedov and Gaethje is very real possibility in the coming months.
PFL postpones 2020 season, fighters to be paid monthly stipend
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
The PFL announced on Monday that is has officially postponed its entire 2020 schedule and is going to reschedule it to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Professional Fighters League was set to begin its 2020 season in May, with events held monthly for the rest of the year until the finals on New Year’s Eve. Due to the coronavirus crisis, however, the promotion cannot run its third season as scheduled. Instead, it has shifted the entire schedule to 2021.
Demian Maia calls out Diego Sanchez, Sanchez responds with Fight Island suggestion
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Demian Maia is hoping to close the book on his illustrious MMA career with a fight against Diego Sanchez. From the sounds of it, Sanchez is down.
Tyron Woodley wants to "see what Izzy is about" at middleweight
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Tyron Woodley is currently focused on reclaiming the UFC welterweight title. That being said, the former champ also has ambitions to move up to middleweight and get his hands on that division’s reigning champ Israel Adesanya. “I’m just getting started. I’m not going to act like I’m going to be here until I’m 45, but I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’ve got a lot of people and mouths to shut up,” Woodley stated during a recent Instagram live session (transcript via Bloody Elbow). “And then I want to spend some time at middleweight too.
Vitor Belfort: ONE debut was in the works before pandemic hit
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Vitor Belfort says his ONE Championship debut was in the works before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Belfort revealed that his debut was nearly finalized in an interview with MMA Junkie.
Tyron Woodley hopes to fight on May 9 in case subsequent cards fall through
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley is hoping to compete on the UFC’s planned May 9 card, as he’s worried the powers that be could derail the UFC’s subsequent events. The May 9 event is intended to serve as the UFC’s big return after a brief coronavirus-related shut-down. UFC President Dana White has been adamant that, following this May 9 card, the promotion will produce events every weekend to make up for lost time.
Stephen Thompson turns heel, joins Ariel Helwani in online feud with Darren Till
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2020
In a twist similar to Randy “Macho Man” Savage turning on Hulk Hogan, Stephen Thompson has shocked the world and turned heel. It’s safe to say that the ongoing war of words between Ariel Helwani and Darren Till has sent shockwaves through the MMA universe, to the point where it seems obvious that they’re going to throw down in what will almost certainly be one of the most highly anticipated fights in the history of mixed martial arts.
Aljamain Sterling claims “sensitive” Dominick Cruz blocked him on Twitter, responds to callout from Frankie Edgar
Natasha Hooper - April 20, 2020
Aljamain Sterling has called out Dominick Cruz for blocking him on social media, and also responded to a callout by Frankie Edgar. “The Funk Master” has been inching towards a title shot but the former champion, Cruz, has beaten him to it. The current bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo was scheduled to defend his title against Jose Aldo next. However, his Brazilian opponent had to pull out of their scheduled matchup due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dominick Reyes says Jon Jones is bluffing about Jan Blachowicz bout, tells everyone to “slow down”
Natasha Hooper - April 20, 2020
Dominick Reyes has called out his last opponent Jon Jones for bluffing about an upcoming matchup against fellow light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz. In the main event of UFC 247, Reyes challenged the division’s champion, Jones, for the 205-pound crown. “Bones” defended his title and claimed the decision victory, but many spectators believed “The Devastator” should have won the five-round war. The 30-year old claimed he’s ready for the rematch but Jones will not sign the contract.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reflects on hospital visit after Weili Zhang fight: "I felt like my soul was bleeding"
Adam Martin - April 19, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reflected on her emotional hospital visit following her war with UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang at UFC 248. Her opponent Zhang recently shared a story of how she met Jedrzekczyk in the hospital following their classic at UFC 248. The champ said that Jedrzejczyk was “crying for hours” as the two shared a special emotional moment with each other after slugging it out for 25 minutes in the center of the Octagon. The bout won “Fight of the Night” and is already regarded by fans and media as one of the greatest MMA fights of all time.
Frankie Edgar interested in fighting Aljamain Sterling next
Adam Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar says he’s interested in fighting Aljamain Sterling in his bantamweight debut. Edgar was supposed to fight Cory Sandhagen back at UFC Raleigh in January in what was supposed to be his first fight at 135lbs. But Edgar was pulled from the card and instead fought Chan Sung Jung at UFC Busan at featherweight, where he suffered a nasty KO loss to The Korean Zombie. The fight with Sandhagen was subsequently wiped out as a result and Edgar has still yet to make his official bantamweight debut.