MMA News
UFC Fighters react to terrible stoppage in Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba fight
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
One of the worst stoppages in UFC history occurred during a light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba at tonight’s event in Virginia. Ankalaev and Cutelaba collided on the main card of tonight’s UFC Norfolk event with referee Kevin McDonald overseeing the contest.
Pros react after Deiveson Figueiredo TKO's Joseph Benavidez at UFC Norfolk
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
Joseph Benavidez collided with Deiveson Figueiredo in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Norfolk event with the opportunity to capture the promotional gold. Benavidez and Figueiredo were supposed to be fighting for the promotions vacant 125-pound title. However, after the Brazilian missed weight by 2.5lbs on Friday, only ‘Joe-Jitsu’ was left eligible to take home the belt this evening.
UFC Norfolk Results: Deiveson Figueiredo KO's Joseph Benavidez (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
Joseph Benavidez has another chance to capture UFC gold when he squares off with Deiveson Figueiredo in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Norfolk event. Benavidez and Figueiredo were supposed to be fighting for the promotions vacant 125-pound title. However, after the Brazilian missed weight by 2.5lbs on Friday, now only ‘Joe-Jitsu’ is eligible to take home the belt.
UFC Norfolk Results: Felicia Spencer stops Zarah Fairn (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
A key women’s featherweight bout between Felicia Spencer and Zarah Fairn served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Norfolk event. The 29-year-old Canadian, Spencer (7-1 MMA), returns to action for the first time since suffering the first loss of her career to Cris Cyborg at UFC 240 by decision.
UFC Fighters vent over low pay while investors score big dividends
Natasha Hooper - February 29, 2020
Current and former UFC fighters are left angered over low pay in comparison to the organization’s multimillion-dollar payments to its rich investors. According to The New York Post, it was revealed earlier this month that approximately $300 million will be paid in one-time dividends to the company’s A-list of celebrity investors. Model Gisele Bündchen, actor Mark Wahlberg and actress Charlize Theron are among the beneficiaries.
Dana White responds after Khabib Nurmagomedov suggests Conor McGregor gets to handpick his opponents
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
UFC President Dana White has responded after Khabib Nurmagomedov accused the promotion of letting his rival Conor McGregor handpick opponents. Earlier this week, TMZ spoke with the UFC’s reigning lightweight champion, Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA), who suggested that the Ultimate Fighting Championship allows the Irish star to handpick his opponents.
UFC Norfolk: 'Benavidez vs. Figueiredo' Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
Joseph Benavidez has another chance to capture UFC gold when he squares off with Deiveson Figueiredo in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Norfolk event. Benavidez and Figueiredo were supposed to be fighting for the promotions vacant 125-pound title. However, after the Brazilian missed weight by 2.5lbs on Friday, now only ‘Joe’Jitsu’ is eligible to take home the belt.
Dominick Reyes deserves Jon Jones rematch, says Dana White
Adam Martin - February 29, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes that Dominick Reyes deserves a rematch against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Reyes fought Jones tooth-and-nail for 25 minutes in the main event of UFC 247. Despite many fans and media scoring the bout in favor of Reyes, the judges awarded a unanimous decision to Jones in one of the more controversial title fight decisions of recent memory. Immediately after the fight was over, fans were calling for a rematch.
Conor McGregor sends a message to Joseph Benavidez ahead of UFC Norfolk
Chris Taylor - February 29, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has sent Joseph Benavidez a message of support ahead of his title opportunity at UFC Norfolk. The former two-time flyweight title challenger, Benavidez (28-5 MMA), will square off with Deiveson Figueiredo (17-1 MMA) for the promotions vacant 125-pound title in this evenings main event.
Fabricio Werdum opens as sizeable favorite in return to Octagon against Alexey Oleynik
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2020
Fabricio Werdum has opened as a sizeable favorite over Alexey Oleynik in his return to the Octagon. It has been made official that Werdum will battle Oleynik at UFC 250 which takes place on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The fight was one that the Russian had called for, given both are jiu-jitsu specialists.
Tito Ortiz's win over Alberto Del Rio reinstated by Texas commission after drug-test controversy
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2020
Tito Ortiz has officially defeated Alberto Del Rio. Back at Combate Americas 51 on Dec. 7, Ortiz was making his promotional debut against Alberto Del Rio. In the lead-up to the fight, the two traded shots at one another and even had a bet where Ortiz put his UFC belt on the line while Del Rio put the WWE heavyweight strap on the line. In the end, it was Ortiz who got his hand raised by first-round submission win.
Joseph Benavidez says lack of mental discipline caused Deiveson Figueiredo to miss weight
Adam Martin - February 28, 2020
The MMA community was left disappointed on Friday morning when Deiveson Figueiredo missed weight for his vacant flyweight title against Joseph Benavidez. Benavidez meets Figueiredo on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Norfolk, but the vacant UFC flyweight title will only be on the line for Benavidez in the bout. That’s because Figueiredo stepped onto the scales at 127.5lbs, coming in 2.5lbs heavy for his vacant flyweight title fight against Benavidez on his first attempt on the scale to make weight.
Jessica Penne accepts 20-month USADA suspension
Tom Taylor - February 28, 2020
UFC strawweight Jessica Penne has accepted a 20-month sanction from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for her second anti-doping policy violation. USADA announced this development in a Friday press release.
Fabian Edwards vs Costello Van Steenis to fight in Bellator London co-main event.
Natasha Hooper - February 28, 2020
Fabian Edwards will fight Costello Van Steenis in the Bellator London co-main event in May 2020. The UK-based fighter and younger brother of UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, “The Assassin” has become one of Bellator’s rising stars. In his last bout, he faced Londoner Mike Shipman in an eagerly anticipated grudge-match last November. The close contest proved to be Edwards’ most challenging fight of his career, but the middleweight secured the split decision victory. He remains undefeated since making his professional debut in 2017.
Joshua Fabia takes credit for 'remarkable' changes to Diego Sanchez
Tom Taylor - February 28, 2020
Joshua Fabia says Diego Sanchez is still evolving as a fighter — even at 38 years old and after close to 20 years in the UFC. He believes that continued evolution is “remarkable” and is taking full credit for it. “You’re an expert, and you didn’t point out that it’s kind of (expletive) amazing that Diego Sanchez, 16 years in the UFC, been pretty much the Rocky Marciano of the sport – he’s moving,” Fabia told MMA Junkie this week. “He can change stance. He went from a southpaw to this. How are you not putting the emphasis on a 38-year-old man, in less than a year, changed his style – and one guy did it? Not a team of six guys. How come no one is saying anything positive like that? You see it, but you’re not giving credit to the professional that has done something remarkable.”
Dana White says he doesn't care if he loses UFC fans over friendship with Donald Trump: 'I don't give a sh*t'
Adam Martin - February 28, 2020
UFC president Dana White says he doesn’t care if he loses UFC fans over his friendship with United States President Donald Trump. White recently spoke at Trump’s political rally in Colorado which led to criticism from a segment of MMA fans who are not Trump supporters. There were a number of MMA fans who were upset White spoke so glowingly about President Trump, but White doesn’t care what they think.
MMA community reacts to Deiveson Figueiredo missing weight for flyweight title fight
Tom Taylor - February 28, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo could have become a UFC champion this weekend. Unfortunately, a scale fail has dashed his title dreams. On Friday morning, Figueiredo missed weight for his flyweight title fight with Joseph Benavidez, which tops Saturday’s UFC Norfolk card. The Brazilian finished tipped the scales at 127.5 pounds, a significant 2.5 pounds over the 125-pound limit for flyweight title fights. While he was initially given an extra hour to make weight, he and his team ultimately abandoned their attempt to do so.
UFC Norfolk weigh-in results: Deiveson Figueiredo misses weight for vacant flyweight title bout
Adam Martin - February 28, 2020
The UFC Norfolk weigh-ins took place on Friday morning and two fighters missed weight, including headliner Deiveson Figueiredo for his fight against Joesph Benavidez. Benavidez and Figueiredo are set to fight for five rounds or less for the vacant UFC flyweight championship. Benavidez stepped onto the sale early on and made the weight easily at 124.5lbs. However, Figueiredo didn’t do the same. The Brazilian stepped onto the scale at 127.5lbs, missing weight for the flyweight title bout. Figueiredo has one hour to make weight, but with 2.5lbs to cut to make the flyweight title limit of 125lbs, it seems unlikely he will be able to do so.