MMA News
ONE Championship converts multiple cards to closed-door events
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2020
ONE Championship has responded to the growing threat of the coronavirus pandemic by converting all of its cards until May 29 to closed-door events. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced this news on Facebook on Thursday morning.
The Korean Zombie agrees to fight Brian Ortega following latest apology
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2020
Chan Sung Jung aka The Korean Zombie is ready to proceed with preparations for his expected fight against Brian Ortega following the American’s recent apology. The two men, who were scheduled to fight back at UFC Busan before Ortega had to pull out due to injury, had been going back and forth at one another ever since UFC 248. At the event, “T-City” prompted a physical altercation with Korean Zombie’s friend and translator Jay Park as a result of Ortega believing Park was trying to instigate trash talk between them.
Saturday’s UFC Brasilia card converted to closed-door event
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2020
There will not be any fans in the building for Saturday night’s UFC Brasilia card. On Thursday, Brazilian publication Combate reported that the UFC has converted the card to a closed-door event amid growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Alexander Volkanovski says there is no one else to fight but Max Holloway at featherweight
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2020
Alexander Volkanovski plans on defending his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 251 at home in Australia. Volkanovski won the belt back at UFC 245 with a decision win over Max Holloway. Since then, he had hand surgery but says he will be ready to defend in Australia where he expects to rematch Holloway.
Charles Oliveira wants to defend his country at UFC Brasilia by shutting up Kevin Lee
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2020
Charles Oliveira plans on beating Kevin Lee to defend Brazil in the main event of UFC Brasilia this Saturday. Lee is coming off a highlight-reel knockout win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244. It was a fight many thought he could lose. So, for Oliveira, he knows the “Motown Phenom” is coming in confident and poses a tough test.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals health battles from drastic dieting to move down from welterweight
Natasha Hooper - March 11, 2020
Don’t let Alexander Volkanovski’s height of 5’6″ inches deceive you, the current featherweight champion has fought contenders in significantly heavier weight classes. However, the journey to drop the pounds previously plagued “The Great” with multiple ailments: The Australian athlete joined the Joe Rogan Experience podcast today to discuss his recent title victory against Max Holloway. He also explained his transition from professional rugby to MMA and his dramatic weight loss that happened in the process:
Pedro Carvalho says he'll finish Patricio Freire inside three rounds to bring another belt to SBG Ireland
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2020
Pedro Carvalho is confident he will become Bellator’s new featherweight champion on Friday. In the main event of Bellator 241, Carvalho is set to battle Patricio Freire in the quarter-finals of the featherweight grand prix. It is a fight “Pitbull” picked during the selection show, which for Carvalho shows it is destined he becomes a world champion on Friday.
Renato Moicano still plans on going back to featherweight as he has 'business to settle'
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2020
Renato Moicano is looking to snap his two-fight losing streak when he moves up to lightweight at UFC Brasilia to battle Damir Hadzovic. In his last fight, he was knocked out by Korean Zombie in the main event of UFC Greenville in just 58 seconds. After a bad weight cut for that one, he realized it was time to move up.
BREAKING | UFC targeting Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker for UFC Dublin headliner
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
According to a report from ESPN, the UFC is targeting a middleweight bout between former champ Robert Whittaker and rising contender Darren Till as the main event for UFC Dublin on August 15. ESPN’s report specified that the bout is not yet official, but is in the process of being finalized.
UFC Columbus card could be impacted by coronavirus
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
On Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine laid out new rules “in regard to mass gatherings in Ohio.” These rules immediately stand out as a problem for the upcoming UFC Columbus event. Shortly, we will be issuing rules in regard to mass gatherings in #Ohio. Every expert has told us that there is a risk in any kind of mass gathering – the closer you are to other people, the bigger the risk. You must ask yourself if going to a large gathering is necessary.
Chael Sonnen: Adesanya vs. Romero outrage due to MMA fans being 'spoiled beyond belief'
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
MMA fans were pretty disappointed by the UFC 248 main event, which pitted middleweight champ Israel Adesanya against challenger Yoel Romero. Former fighter and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes that’s because, as fans, we’re accustomed to amazing fights. Or as he puts it, “spoiled beyond belief.” The man’s not wrong.
Anthony Johnson provides update on UFC comeback
Harry Kettle - March 11, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony Johnson has provided fans with an update regarding his return to mixed martial arts. Johnson, 36, has not been in the Octagon since UFC 210 in April 2017. On that night in Buffalo he was submitted by Daniel Cormier, failing to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from “DC” for the second time.
Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer betting odds released
Adam Martin - March 11, 2020
The sportsbooks have released the opening betting odds for the upcoming women’s featherweight title fight at UFC 250 between Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer. The UFC officially announced last week that Nunes will defend her featherweight belt for the first time against Spencer at UFC 250, taking place on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The bout will serve as the co-main event to the headlining bout between UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and Brazilian legend Jose Aldo.
Dillon Danis reacts to Paulo Costa's sparring session with Logan Paul
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
Bellator MMA talent Dillon Danis has a long-standing beef with YouTube star Logan Paul and his brother Jake. Based on this grudge, it should come as no surprise that Danis had something to say about Paul’s recent sparring session with UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Paul and Costa sparred at the UFC Performance Institute last week. The pair engaged in some wrestling work — in which Paul did surprisingly well — and a bit of boxing. The boxing ended with a headache for Paul, who was sent crashing to the mat by a huge punch (though not everyone believes the impact was legit).
Paulo Costa opens up on sparring session with Logan Paul
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
Earlier this week, video surfaced of a sparring session between top middleweight contender Paulo Costa and YouTube star Logan Paul. During this session, which included some wrestling and some boxing, Costa ultimately sent Paul careening to the canvas with a punch — though not everybody believes the knockdown was legit.
Daniel Cormier compares Israel Adesanya's UFC 248 win to Anderson Silva fight
Tom Taylor - March 11, 2020
Daniel Cormier sees some similarities between Israel Adesanya’s underwhelming UFC 248 win over Yoel Romero and Anderson Silva’s slow 2010 win over Demian Maia in Abu Dhabi. Cormier compared the two fights during a conversation with Rich Eisen, though he misremembered the setting of the Silva vs. Maia fight as Saudi Arabia.
Tyron Woodley rips Joe Rogan for commentary hypocrisy at UFC 248
Natasha Hooper - March 11, 2020
It appears Tyron Woodley won’t be joining The Joe Rogan Experience podcast anytime soon, as he slammed the UFC commentator for his hypocrisy on the UFC 248 broadcast. In an Instagram post, Ariel Helwani shared a quote from Israel Adesanya regarding his hopes of finishing Yoel Romero at UFC 248 last weekend.
Henry Cejudo says Benavidez 'absolutely' deserves rematch after Figueiredo 'cheated' at UFC Norfolk
Natasha Hooper - March 11, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo believes Joseph Benavidez deserves another shot against Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant flyweight title. In the main event of UFC Norfolk on February 29, the flyweights battled it out in a non title-fight. They were initially scheduled to fight for the 125 belt that was up for grabs after Cejudo was stripped. However the Brazilian “Daico” missed weight and was penalized by having his title eligibility removed. Despite missing weight, Figueiredo used a huge right hand (and potentially an inadvertent head butt) to secure the KO victory in the second round. He sits at the top of the division’s ranking, but the title Cejudo once held still remains empty.