MMA News

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

UFC women’s strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz says she will undergo an eye operation after suffering a broken facial bone at UFC Auckland. Kowalkiewicz lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Yan Xiaonan on the main card of UFC Auckland. It’s her fourth straight loss following defeats to Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade, and Michelle Waterson. Kowalkiewicz was beaten to the punch nearly the entire fight by Xiaonan and was really wearing it at the end of 15 minutes.

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes and former light heavyweight star Anthony Johnson wrestled each other in a sumo match. Blaydes and Johnson met on Friday at the SubStars grappling event in Miami, Florida in an exhibition sumo match for fun. During the match, Johnson was able to win the first round but Blaydes came back in the second to tie things up. In the third round, Blaydes was able to land a trip takedown and earn the victory over Johnson.

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

The coach and manager for UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder say he is not set on retirement despite his post-fight comments at UFC Auckland. After Felder lost a contentious split decision to Dan Hooker in the main event of the evening, he told UFC commentator Dan Hardy that he was considering retirement, citing his young four-year-old child missing him when he goes away for fight camps.

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder said he is considering retirement following a split decision loss to Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Auckland. Felder lost a razor-thin split decision in a battle between the No. 6 and No. 7 ranked lightweights on the UFC roster. In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Dan Hardy, Felder hinted that retirement could be looming for the 35-year-old “Irish Dragon.”

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

The official scorecards have been revealed for the main event of UFC Auckland between lightweight contenders Dan Hooker and Paul Felder. Hooker and Felder went back-and-forth for the full 25 minutes in an absolute war that later sent both men to the hospital. It was an extremely close fight that ultimately went to the judges’ scorecards, where Hooker eeked out a razor-thin split decision.

Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020

UFC lightweight warriors Dan Hooker and Paul Felder reunited in the hospital following their main event at UFC Auckland for a memorable photo together. Hooker and Felder went to war for 25 minutes in the headliner of UFC Auckland, with Hooker emerging as the winner via split decision in a close, back-and-forth battle that won “Fight of the Night.” Both men inflicted tons of punishment on each other during the fight so it’s not surprising each fighter was sent to the hospital after the bout as each man needed to be checked out for any potential injuries.

Christopher Taylor - February 23, 2020

UFC lightweights Paul Felder and Dan Hooker delivered fight fans an epic five round war in the headliner of tonight’s event in Auckland. Unfortunately for ‘The Irish Dragon’, Felder ended up on the wrong end of a split decision as two judges in attendance scored the bout in favor of the New Zealand native. You can see how fellow UFC fighters reacted to that judges ruling here.

Christopher Taylor - February 23, 2020

Like many of us, UFC commentator Joe Rogan was blown away by the incredible performance put on by Tyson Fury in tonight’s rematch with Deontay Wilder. After their first encounter ended in a controversial split draw, mainly due to a final round knockdown scored by Wilder, Tyson Fury left no doubt as to who was the better man tonight in Las Vegas.

Chris Taylor - February 22, 2020

A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Dan Hooker and Paul Felder headlined tonight’s UFC Auckland event. The New Zealand native, Hooker (19-8 MMA), entered tonight’s main event looking to build on a two-fight winning streak. In his most previous Octagon appearance, ‘The Hangman’ had picked up a unanimous decision victory over former title challenger Al Iaquinta.

Chris Taylor - February 22, 2020

A key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Dan Hooker and Paul Felder headlines tonight’s UFC Auckland event. The New Zealand native, Hooker (19-8 MMA), will enter tonight’s main event on a two-fight winning streak. In his most recent Octagon appearance, ‘The Hangman’ picked up a unanimous decision victory over former title challenger Al Iaquinta.

Chris Taylor - February 22, 2020

The Octagon returns to Auckland for UFC Fight Night 168, a 12-bout fight card headlined by a lightweight scrap between Paul Felder and Dan Hooker. The New Zealand native, Hooker (19-8 MMA), will enter tonight’s main event on a two-fight winning streak. In his most recent Octagon appearance, ‘The Hangman’ picked up a unanimous decision victory over former title challenger Al Iaquinta.

Cole Shelton - February 21, 2020

Josh Barnett’s Bellator debut has been postponed again as he has reportedly failed a drug test. Barnett was expected to make his promotional debut against Ronny Markes at Bellator 241 on March 13 but that will no longer be the case. Fight Oracle on Twitter reported that the former UFC heavyweight has failed a drug test. The news has since been confirmed by several reporters.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2020

ofDaniel Cormier came up short in his 2019 rematch with Stipe Miocic, surrendering the UFC heavyweight title in the process. According to his long-time coach Javier Mendez, however, he wasn’t fighting at full capacity. Mendez revealed that Cormier wasn’t at 100 percent in a recent interview with MMA Junkie.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2020

Nick Diaz and CM Punk are both still undergoing drug tests from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the official anti-doping partner of the UFC. The same goes for suspended former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw, ostensibly retired former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, and several other fighters we haven’t seen compete in awhile.

Jason Kindschy - February 21, 2020

Valentina Shevchenko returns to recap her dominant over Kaitlyn Chookagian and discuss her future as the flyweight queen. While we did speak to Valentina prior to the announcement that she’ll face Joanne Calderwood at UFC 250, Shevchenko gave us her thoughts on several potential contenders to her championship going forward. “The Bullet” gives her reaction to Halle Berry’s support cage side on fight night, and sheds some light on her character in the film project they worked on together that should be released later this year. Valentina also addresses the ludicrous accusations of her being a Russian spy, but explains why she wouldn’t mind portraying a female version of James Bond on the big screen. She was incredibly generous with her time for this interview, and gave us some heartfelt insight as to what inspires her to achieve greatness. Johnny Walker joins us to preview his return to competition next month in Brasilia against Nikita Krylov. With his aim laser focused on earning a shot at UFC gold, Walker made the move to the famed Tristar Gym in Montreal to work with the legendary team there. Now under the guidance of Firas Zahabi and training with the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Johnny believes he’s made the right adjustments on his martial arts journey. We’ll hear his thoughts on the landscape at 205, and much more.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2020

UFC 249, scheduled for April 18 in Brooklyn, New York, is arguably the most anticipated card on the promotion’s calendar. That’s thanks in large part to the main event: a lightweight title fight between undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and streaking challenger Tony Ferguson. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been scheduled to fight a whopping four times previously, but the bout has consistently failed to come to fruition.

Mike Pendleton - February 21, 2020

With the vacant UFC flyweight title on the line in his next fight, contender Joseph Benavidez is not looking back. Benavidez is scheduled to take on Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 27 which will take place in Norfolk, Virginia for the title that Cejudo was stripped off as he maintains his focus on the bantamweight division and his title there. During a recent interview with Jimmy Smith and Miesha Tate for MMA Tonight on Sirius XM, Benavidez was asked about the possibility of going up to bantamweight to chase a fight with the former flyweight champion, and there was little to no interest for him. Already holding a victory over Cejudo, Benavidez said he doesn’t feel a fight against Cejudo is one that he needs to go chase.

Adam Martin - February 21, 2020

The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC women’s flyweight title fight at UFC 251 between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Joanne Calderwood. ESPN broke the news this week that Shevchenko vs. Calderwood will take place on June 6 at a location and venue that is do-be-determined. Typically the UFC visits Chicago in June so there’s a chance the card could be placed there yet again, though that’s not confirmed yet. Regardless, it seems like Shevchenko vs. Calderwood will wind up as the co-main event on the card.