MMA News
Chael Sonnen unsure if Justin Gaethje is tougher fight for Khabib than Tony Ferguson
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 2, 2020
Chael Sonnen isn’t sure he shares in Dustin Poirier’s belief that Justin Gaethje can give Khabib Nurmagomedov his toughest test to date. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani last month, Poirier expressed his belief that Gaethje could give Nurmagomedov problems. Poirier has shared the Octagon with both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov. “The Diamond” doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson will be the man to stop “The Eagle” when they collide on April 18.
What's next for Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez after UFC Norfolk?
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2020
In the main event of UFC Norfolk, Deiveson Figueiredo was taking on Joseph Benavidez. There, the two were originally set to fight for the vacant flyweight belt, but Figueiredo missed weight leaving Benavidez as the only person who could win the title. In the end, the worst-case scenario happened for the UFC as Figueiredo TKO’d Benavidez in the second round leaving the flyweight title to be vacant.
Ion Cutelaba calls UFC Norfolk loss an 'injustice,' plans to appeal
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2020
Ion Cutelaba feels he was done an injustice in his UFC Norfolk main card fight with Magomed Ankalaev. Less than a minute into the first round of his fight with Ankalaev, Cutelaba seemed to be hurt by his foe’s striking. While he looked slightly wobbly, however, he was still standing, still defending, and still firing back. Despite these factors, the referee elected to stop the fight — and received immediate protest from Cutelaba.
Manager says Yoel Romero will grant Israel Adesanya rematch if he wins at UFC 248
Adam Martin - March 2, 2020
The manager for Yoel Romero says the top contender will grant UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya a rematch if he upsets him at UFC 248. Romero challenges Adesanya for the 185-pound strap this weekend at UFC 248 in Las Vegas. Romero is coming off of two straight losses but is still among the most feared middleweights on the UFC roster. Adesanya told UFC president Dana White he wanted the toughest opponent possible, and when Paulo Costa got injured Romero slid into that No. 1 contender role for the middleweight strap.
Henry Cejudo targets 'ugly detached Siamese twins' Figueiredo and Benavidez after UFC Norfolk
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2020
Henry Cejudo is no longer the UFC flyweight champ, but that doesn’t mean the UFC’s top flyweights are safe from his trash talk. On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Norfolk, Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo collided in a bout that was supposed to crown the new UFC flyweight champ — unfortunately, Figueiredo missed weight for the fight, which made him ineligible to win the title. Figueiredo ended up winning the fight by second-round TKO, which means the flyweight throne is now vacant.
Israel Adesanya explains why he doesn’t fear 'boogeyman' Yoel Romero
Harry Kettle - March 2, 2020
Israel Adesanya has explained why he doesn’t fear the “boogeyman” Yoel Romero ahead of their UFC 248 clash in Las Vegas this weekend. Adesanya is set to compete for the first time since UFC 243 where he successfully unified the UFC Middleweight Championship with a resounding victory over Robert Whittaker. He’ll be going up against Romero, who has lost three of his last four fights, but is still consider a dangerous challenge for the champ.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk believes she'll outwork Weili Zhang and make her 'quit' to reclaim belt
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is looking to reclaim her strawweight crown when she battles the current champion Weili Zhang in the co-main event of UFC 248 this Saturday. Jedrzejczyk held the title from March 2015 to November 2017 and then lost it to Rose Namajunas. Since then, she had another chance at the belt and fought for the vacant flyweight belt but came up short.
John McCarthy announces 2020 COMMAND Course in hopes of improving refereeing and judging in MMA
Natasha Hooper - March 2, 2020
Referee Big John McCarthy has re-launched his COMMAND Course in hopes of improving MMA refereeing and nurturing the next generation of talent. Though he is now retired from officiating, John McCarthy is widely regarded as one of the best referees in MMA. Industry experts including Joe Rogan have praised his aptitude as a ref and his dedication to the sport.
Missing weight cost Deiveson Figueiredo a lot more than just the UFC flyweight title
Natasha Hooper - March 2, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo lost a lot more than just the UFC flyweight title after missing weight for his victory over Joseph Benavidez at UFC Norfolk. In the main event of the UFC Norfolk, the Brazilian flyweight challenged the MMA veteran Joseph Benavidez. The athletes were fighting for the 125-pound title since it was relinquished by Henry Cejudo earlier this year. Despite having a previous victory over Cejudo in 2016, Benavidez failed to take home the flyweight gold against Figueiredo. In the second round, the Brazilian connected with a clean right hand that sent Benavidez crashing to the canvas.
Khabib Nurmagomedov willing to box Floyd Mayweather for 11 rounds in exchange for 1 round of MMA
Natasha Hooper - March 2, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is prepared to go 11 rounds of boxing with Floyd Mayweather, but it comes at a price. Rumors have been circulating that boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and UFC president Dana White are working together to create a crossover fight. “Pretty Boy” will expect to bank a cheque if he collides against an MMA fighter, so who better to face then the undefeated “Eagle”, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
John McCarthy blasts referee for “horrendous” Ion Cutelaba vs Magomed Ankalaev decision
Natasha Hooper - March 2, 2020
Referee royalty, Big John McCarthy is less than impressed with the referee’s controversial ruling in the Ion Cutelaba vs Magomed Ankalaev bout at UFC Norfolk. Last weekend, the light heavyweight fight already got off to a strange start when Cutelaba walked across the canvas to bump into his Russian opponent. Security entered to separate the two parties, and the bad blood spilt over into the fight.
Juan Adams reveals ARES is paying him more money than UFC contract did, doesn't expect to fight Reug Reug
Cole Shelton - March 1, 2020
When Juan Adams was released from the UFC following his loss to Justin Tafa at UFC 247, ARES Fighting Championship immediately showed interest. When Adams was looking to sign with a new promotion, he wanted to make fighting his full-time job. And, ARES has given him that opportunity as he revealed the African-European based promotion is paying him more money than the UFC did.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Hernandez added to UFC 249
Adam Martin - March 1, 2020
An exciting lightweight bout between top-15 ranked Islam Makhachev and Alexander Hernandez is the latest addition to UFC 249. MMAjunkie.com reported that Makhachev vs. Hernandez has been verbally agreed to for UFC 249, which takes place on April 18 at Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. The main event sees UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov take on Tony Ferguson.
Magomed Ankalaev would rematch Ion Cutelaba, but believes he hurt him with kicks
Adam Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev says he would rematch Ion Cutelaba if the UFC wants it, but he believes he hurt his opponent before the ref stoppage. Ankalaev was declared the winner by TKO early in the first round after connecting with several kicks to the body and head of Cutelaba, who appeared to be wobbling. But Cutelaba was actually playing possum, which became apparent as soon as referee Kevin MacDonald stepped in. The replay also showed that Cutelaba was blocking a majority of the strikes. Several UFC fighters commented it was amongst the worst stoppages they’ve ever seen as Cutelaba was clearly not knocked out and the fight had no business of being stopped.
Joseph Benavidez releases statement following KO loss at UFC Norfolk
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez has released a statement following a devastating KO loss to Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Norfolk. In his third bid to win the UFC flyweight crown, Benavidez was knocked out by Figueiredo in brutal fashion in the second round of their headlining bout. However, because Figueiredo missed weight he was not eligible to win the flyweight title, making a Benavidez loss unfortunate on so many levels. Benavidez is one of the best fighters in flyweight history, but his legacy will never be complete without a title.
Jorge Masvidal unloads on Kamaru Usman for threatening his manager
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal unloaded on UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for threatening his manager Abe Kawa on social media. Usman and Masvidal are set to meet at International Fight Week in Las Vegas in July. The contract is not signed yet but is expected to be in the coming months.
Felicia Spencer believes she has earned title shot against Amanda Nunes
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC women’s featherweight contender Felicia Spencer believes she has done enough to earn a title shot against champion Amanda Nunes. Spencer picked up a vicious first-round TKO finish over Zarah Fairn in the co-main event at UFC Norfolk. The victory over Fairn upped Spencer’s UFC record to 2-1 with another stoppage win over Megan Anderson in her Octagon debut and a decision loss to Cris Cyborg in her second UFC fight. In the shallow UFC women’s featherweight division, that sort of resume is likely enough to earn Spencer a crack at the belt.
Henry Cejudo announces he is returning to flyweight: “I’m coming back down to take all their heads”
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo says he plans on returning to flyweight after no new title was handed out in the main event of UFC Norfolk. Cejudo vacated his belt when he decided to stay at bantamweight for his next fight against Jose Aldo at UFC 250. The vacant belt was supposed to be on the line at UFC Norfolk but no new champion was crowned because Deiveson Figueiredo missed weight, making him ineligible to win the vacant flyweight belt when he knocked out Joseph Benavidez. That means the UFC flyweight division once again does not have a champion, putting the division on life support once again.