MMA News
Petr Yan trolls Henry Cejudo over 'hooked on Phonics' suggestion
Natasha Hooper - March 3, 2020
Petr Yan has fired back against Henry Cejudo’s insults in a humorous way on Twitter. The former two-division champion mocked Yan and fellow bantamweight, Aljamain Sterling in a recent Twitter rant. He called the Russian fighter an “ugly communist potato” and urged him to improve his English.
Yoel Romero provides weight update for UFC 248 title fight with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - March 3, 2020
Yoel Romero has provided an update as to how much weight he still has left to cut ahead of his UFC 248 title fight against Israel Adesanya this weekend. Romero is set for the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday night as he attempts to take the UFC Middleweight Championship away from “The Last Stylebender”. Alas, while many fans are focused on the fight itself, many are wondering whether or not the “Soldier of God” will even be able to get to that point.
Paulo Costa will have a front row seat for Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 248
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2020
Paulo Costa will have a front row seat for Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 248. In the main event of UFC 248, Adesanya will look to defend his middleweight title when he battles Romero. Originally, the fight was supposed to be Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa, but the Brazilain suffered a bicep injury forcing him to be out a couple of months leaving Romero to get the title shot.
Paul Felder says he hasn't fought his last fight yet: 'I've got a lot more left in me'
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2020
Paul Felder is walking back on his retirement talk. In the main event of UFC Auckland, Felder was taking on Dan Hooker and when the fight went to the scorecards it was close. Yet, Hooker edged out a split-decision and following the loss, Felder said it may have been his final fight.
Deiveson Figueiredo open to Joseph Benavidez rematch
Adam Martin - March 2, 2020
UFC flyweight Deiveson Figueiredo says he will give Joseph Benavidez a rematch after missing weight for their main event at UFC Norfolk. Figueiredo knocked Benavidez out in devastating fashion in the headliner of UFC Norfolk, but the win came with an asterisk after Figueiredo missed weight and became ineligible to win the title. The result was a worst-case scenario for the UFC, who didn’t expect to not have a new flyweight champion after setting up this match for the vacant flyweight belt.
Demetrious Johnson wouldn't be sad if UFC shut down flyweight division
Adam Martin - March 2, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson says he wouldn’t be sad if the UFC shut down the promotion’s 125lbs weight class. Johnson was the first-ever UFC flyweight champion and was the kingpin of the division from its beginning in 2012 until he lost his belt to Henry Cejudo in the summer of 2018. Just a few months after losing his belt to Cejudo, the UFC decided to trade Johnson to ONE Championship for Ben Askren, and Johnson has been a star for ONE ever since.
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.
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.
Michael Bisping finally admits he loves Yoel Romero too
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2020
For a brief period several years ago, it seemed as though Michael Bisping and Yoel Romero were on a collision course. At the time, Bisping held the UFC middleweight title, while Romero was the division’s top contender. During that phase, the pair exchanged quite a bit of trash talk. The most notable soundbite to emerge from their would-be rivalry, however, was a line from Romero that can’t really be called trash talk.
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.
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.
Dana White bashes Deontay Wilder for walk-out costume, promises we won't see 'any of that bulls**t in the UFC'
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2020
UFC President Dana White was not impressed by the elaborate costume Deontay Wilder wore during his walkout for his recent rematch with Tyson Fury. Fury and Wilder both made extravagant walks to the ring for their Las Vegas rematch. Fury wore a crown and cape and was carried to the ring on a palanquin. Wilder, meanwhile, essentially walked out in a suit of armor, and later blamed his loss to Fury on the weight of this costume.
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.
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.
Manager claims Henry Cejudo returning to flyweight after UFC 250 to defend belt
Adam Martin - March 1, 2020
Manager Ali Abdelaziz claims that UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo will defend the flyweight title after taking on Jose Aldo at UFC 250. The vacant flyweight title was supposed to be won by either Joseph Benavidez or Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Norfolk. But Figueiredo missed weight at the official weigh-ins, and when he knocked Benavidez out in the main event, he didn’t become the new champion, once again putting the UFC flyweight division on life support.