MMA News
Michael Chiesa sees many options for next opponent, but wants Colby Covington fight most
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
Michael Chiesa is currently riding a three-fight winning streak in the welterweight division with wins over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, and Rafael dos Anjos. With his current win streak in place, Chiesa is looking to be smart and strategic with his upcoming opponents. During an interview on The Luke Thomas Show, Chiesa laid out his plans for the welterweight division and says he is confident he will fight this year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
VIDEO | Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, other MMA stars unite to encourage social distancing
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Cris Cyborg, Michael Bisping, Stephen Thompson, Leon Edwards, Dillon Danis, Megan Anderson, Li Jingliang and a host of other MMA stars represented by Paradigm Sports Management have come together to encourage social distancing and safe practices during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The MMA stars helped spread this message in a video published by Paradigm Sports Management on Wednesday afternoon. See it below:
Randy Couture: UFC should not be exempt from coronavirus restrictions
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
While most of the world is still locked down to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, UFC President Dana White has been defiantly attempting to keep his company running throughout the crisis. Former two-division UFC champ Randy Couture isn’t sure how to feel about that. Couture delved into the topic on an episode of Weighing In with John McCarthy and Josh Thomson.
Urijah Faber admits Dominick Cruz is "actually a decent guy"
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
For many years, Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber were two of the most heated rivals in MMA. From the sounds if it, however, their mutual animus has diminished. Speaking on MMA Fighting’s The A-Side, Faber was asked by a fan if he’d rather be on a sinking life boat with Cruz, or his teammate-turned-nemesis TJ Dillashaw.
Brendan Schaub reacts to UFC 249 cancelation, guarantees fights will go ahead in May
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight turned combat sports analyst Brendan Schaub recently commented on the cancelation of UFC 249 and Dana White’s plans to resume business despite the coronavirus pandemic. Schaub weighed in on the topic during his podcast “Below The Belt” saying that a move like ESPN and Disney stepping in to cancel fights is the downside to the deal that the UFC has with these companies.
Dustin Poirier interested in boxing Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz
Adam Martin - April 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says that he is interested in taking on Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz in a boxing match. Poirier hasn’t fought since a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov last Septemeber at UFC 242 in a failed bid to win the UFC lightweight championship. The top-five ranked lightweight was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker at UFC San Diego, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. That leaves Poirier without a fight at the moment, and like other fighters, he’s anxious to get back in there and compete.
Georges St-Pierre argues "you can’t be the best guy on the planet" in MMA
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. In fact, at the height of his dominance, he was viewed by many fans as the best fighter on earth. Speaking with ESPN recently, however, St-Pierre refuted the notion that any fighter can truly call themselves the best fighter alive. By his estimation, even the most dominant fighter can be beaten by somebody — though many are lucky enough to avoid crossing paths with that person.
Anthony Smith buries "piece of s**t" Jon Jones for comments about home invasion
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Anthony Smith was recently the victim of a violent home invasion. Shortly after Smith shared the story of this ordeal, his former foe, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, took to Twitter to boast that, if his home had been broken into, the intruder wouldn’t have left on his feet. Glad Anthony is OK, no way dude would have left my house walking https://t.co/U6wSr8KmA8
Cody Garbrandt trashes “coward” Henry Cejudo, says he will fight Raphael Assuncao this summer
Natasha Hooper - April 15, 2020
Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has called out the current bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo for being a “coward” and avoiding tough matchups. “No Love” Garbrandt claimed the 135-pound crown when he defeated Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision in 2016. His reign was short-lived as he lost to TJ Dillashaw in his first title defence by TKO a year later.
Dana White says UFC Apex will host events starting next month for foreseeable future
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2020
UFC president Dana White has claimed that the UFC Apex facility will start hosting events next month and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Despite the recent setbacks that the UFC has been facing, it appears as if there’s a decent chance they’ll continue to try and get live events back on in some way, shape or form in May, with May 9 being suggested as a possible date for what could turn out to be a super card.
Rich Franklin explains how new podcast came together
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Rich Franklin wears many hats. He’s a former UFC champ. He’s a ONE Championship executive. He’s the President of ONE Warrior Series and the host of the web series of the same name. And now, he’s a podcast host. Last week, the former UFC middleweight champion announced the launch of his new podcast, Franklin Speaking, which is co-hosted by his ONE Warrior Series co-star Jonathan Fong.
Alessio Sakara praises Scott Coker, wants to fight Rampage Jackson
Alfredo Zullino - April 14, 2020
The entire mixed martial arts world is on a hiatus due to all the coronavirus madness going on these days, and so is Italy’s fighting legend Alessio Sakara. Since the beginning of the full lockdown in Italy, the former UFC fighter, and current Bellator star, is quarantined just like the rest of his fellow countrymen.
Tony Ferguson reacts following rebooking of Justin Gaethje fight
Chris Taylor - April 14, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight title holder Tony Ferguson is once again slated to square off with Justin Gaethje, this time on May 9. The lightweight standouts were originally set to meet in the headliner of UFC 249, however that event was ultimately postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Valentina Shevchenko praises Dana White's "Fight Island"
Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to touch down on the organization’s “fight island.” In fact, the 125-pound queen wants to commit 100% by training and even living there. Recent UFC fight cards have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC president Dana White believes the best way to resume action is to set up events on a private island. According to White, his fight island venture is in the works. Multiple fighters are jumping at the opportunity to step foot on the island’s soil, and that includes Shevchenko.
US president Donald Trump adds Dana White and Vince McMahon to economic task force
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
US president Donald Trump has added Dana White and Vince McMahon to his team of advisors helping to restart the American economy. White, the UFC president, and McMahon, the WWE chairman and CEO, are part of a large group of pro sports league heads that will team up on the advisory board for president Trump as he looks to help America rise from the ashes after the coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the world economy.
UFC announces full fight card for May 9, including three title fights
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC is looking to come back in a big way on May 9 and the targeted fight card has been released. Dana White recently told ESPN that the promotion is looking at May 9. Of course, the Las Vegas-based promotion was scheduled to hold an event at the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino on April 18. Yet, the higher-ups at Disney and ESPN put a stop to that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, White is targeting May 9 as his return date which was originally scheduled to be UFC 250.
Who has the best chance to end Alexander Volkanovski's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
Alexander Volkanovski is one of the newest UFC champions as he dethroned Max Holloway back at UFC 245. He has yet to defend his strap once as he has been dealing with a hand injury he sustained in the scrap. So, when the UFC returns to normal Volkanovski will have a bevy of contenders to defend his strap against. The featherweight division doesn’t have a clear cut number one contender but features the likes of Holloway, Chan Sung Jung, Brian Ortega, and Zabit Magomedsharipov among others. So, who has the best chance to end Volkanovski’s reign as champ?
Ronda Rousey defends UFC Reebok deal, suggest individual sponsorships are outdated
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey defended the UFC deal with Reebok, saying that other sports set the standard for sponsorship deals. Rousey, who has been in the spotlight in recent days due to some recent comments she made about WWE, was recently a guest on the “Wild Ride! with Steve-O” podcast where she was asked about fighter pay. At one point in the interview, Steve-O pressed Rousey for her opinions on the UFC’s deal with Reebok, which Steve-O feels doesn’t do the athletes any good.