MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ben Askren says UFC fighters need to form a union in order to receive “fair compensation”
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren says that the promotion’s current fighters need to form a union in order to receive “fair compensation.” A recent report from the New York Post revealed that UFC fighters are raging over their low pay while the promotion’s investors are reaping big dividends. UFC fighters, and MMA fighters in general, receive far less pay than the major four sports leagues in North America (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) and many fighters have had enough of it.
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.
Ion Cutelaba admits to playing possum prior to controversial stoppage at UFC Norfolk
Adam D Martin - March 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba says he was playing possum when the referee controversially stopped his fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Norfolk. Referee Kevin MacDonald stepped in and stopped the fight after Ankalaev landed several kicks and a punch, but replays showed that Cutelaba blocked the majority of the incoming strikes. Cutelaba did appear to be wobbling, which the referee obviously was concerned with, but the Moldovan fighter says that was all an act.