MMA News

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.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2020

The Nevada State Athletic Commission isn’t taking any chances when it comes to the upcoming WBC heavyweight title rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. After the pair got physical at a press conference this week, the commission has banned them from partaking in a staredown after they weigh in on Friday evening.

Cole Shelton - February 21, 2020

Brent Primus doesn’t know anything about his Bellator 240 opponent, Chris Bungard. When Primus makes the walk to the cage on Saturday it will be the first time he does so since May of last year, which has been frustrating for him. But he has finally gotten a fight and is focused on Bungard and extending his win streak to two.

Adam Martin - February 21, 2020

The UFC Auckland weigh-ins took place Friday morning and 24 fighters made weight for the card, including headliners Dan Hooker and Paul Felder. In the non-title lightweight main event, Hooker stepped on the scale at 156lbs while Felder came in at 155.5lbs, making the headlining fight official. Hooker and Felder are both ranked in the top-10 of the stacked UFC lightweight division and the winner of this fight will be one step closer to jumping into title contention.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2020

Back in December, in the main event of UFC 245, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington delivered an absolute thriller of a welterweight title fight. In the end, Usman won this fight via fifth-round TKO to retain the title, yet it doesn’t sound like his time in the cage with Covington is over yet.