MMA News
John Kavanagh talks the evolution of Conor McGregor: “He’s trying to make himself a better person."
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh acknowledges major mistakes made by his fighter, but says he is “proud of how he’s come through those things.” “The Notorious” returned to the UFC Octagon this year for the first time since his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He faced Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in his comeback and bulldozed his way to victory in just 40 seconds of the first round.
Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko added to UFC Portland
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
An intriguing middleweight bout between standouts Eryk Anders and Krzysztof Jotko is the latest addition to April’s UFC Portland card. UFC on ESPN+ 30 takes place on April 11 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The main event of the card is a five-round heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. Anders vs. Jotko is expected to slot in somewhere on the main card.
Pedro Munhoz targeting Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar for next fight
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz has called out legends Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar for his next fight inside the Octagon. Munhoz has not competed since last June when he dropped a unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 238. Prior to the Sterling loss, Munhoz was moving up the bantamweight rankings with three straight wins over Brett Johns, Bryan Caraway, and Cody Garbrandt. The KO win over Garbrandt at UFC 235 moved Munhoz into the upper echelon of title contenders at 135lbs, but the loss to Sterling dropped him down a peg.
Coach: Conor McGregor is 'on a good comeback story' after 'slips and mistakes'
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Conor McGregor has had a crazy few years. While he’s had some big moments of success — most notably his 40-second, January knockout of Donald Cerrone — he’s also made his way into the headlines for numerous brushes with the law.
Brendan Schaub has 'no desire' to watch Jon Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2020
Brendan Schaub isn’t exactly counting down the days to a potential Jon Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz bout. Blachowicz may have secured himself the next UFC light heavyweight title opportunity. This past Saturday night (Feb. 15), Blachowicz took on Corey Anderson in a rematch. Blachowicz lost their first encounter back in Sept. 2015 via unanimous decision. The rematch was a different story as Blachowicz knocked out Anderson in the opening frame of the UFC Rio Rancho main event.
Diego Sanchez goes off on Daniel Cormier for commentary 'bias' at UFC Rio Rancho
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Diego Sanchez and his unorthodox coach Joshua Fabia have been the subject of much controversy in the wake of Saturday’s UFC Rio Rancho card. Sanchez fought in the card’s co-main event, defeating Michel Pereira by disqualification after he was nuked by an illegal knee in the third round.
UFC rankings update: Jan Blachowicz passes Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Rio Rancho card, and as expected, there are some interesting changes. Most notably, Jan Blachowicz, who knocked out Corey Anderson in the card’s main event, has made a big climb up at light heavyweight, surpassing the former champ Daniel Cormier. Of course, Cormier hasn’t fought at light heavyweight in two years, and intends to retire in the heavyweight division, so it’s a head-scratcher that he’s ranked at light heavyweight at all. Then again, these are the UFC rankings we’re talking about, where whim and fancy rule over logic and reason, so we should probably be used to this by now.
Matt Serra criticizes Diego Sanchez's coach following UFC Rio Rancho
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2020
Matt Serra believes Diego Sanchez could use better advice in his corner. Much has been made about Sanchez’s camp situation after leaving Jackson-Wink MMA. The “Nightmare” was thought of to be a mainstay at the popular gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It wasn’t meant to be as Sanchez felt he was underappreciated at the gym after all the time and money he spent.
Kamaru Usman: 'I hope' to run it back with Colby Covington
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he hopes that he and rival Colby Covington can run it back in the future after their title fight at UFC 245. Usman knocked out Covington in the fifth round of their title fight epic back in December to defend the UFC welterweight title for the first time. The fight was not without controversy, as Covington felt referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight early. Still, it was a great title fight between two of the best welterweights in the world, and considering the way it ended, a rematch is something that could very well happen one day.
Coach sees silver lining in previous Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight cancelations
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have been scheduled to fight four times previously. As of yet, however, the pair have never actually shared the cage. The hopes is that that will finally change at UFC 249 this April.
Referee Marc Goddard reveals he received death threats following UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
Referee Marc Goddard says he received death threats after his decision to stop the UFC 245 main event between welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington. After four rounds of non-stop action in the main event of UFC 245, Usman knocked Covington down in the fifth. Goddard intervened and put a stop to the action, awarding Usman the TKO victory.
Anthony Smith wants the Texas commission to apologize to James Krause and overturn fight ruling
Harry Kettle - February 19, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith wants the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to apologize to James Krause and overturn his UFC 247 loss to Trevin Giles. The mixed martial arts community has been up in arms following UFC 247 due to a string of questionable decisions made by the judges throughout the night. One of the primary examples of that came during the Trevin Giles vs. James Krause prelim fight where judge Joe Soliz awarded the first round to Giles, despite many believing that Krause clearly won that round.
UFC 247 judge Joe Soliz had a conflict of interest in Krause vs. Giles bout
Harry Kettle - February 19, 2020
UFC 247 judge Joe Soliz had a conflict of interest when judging the James Krause vs Trevin Giles bout during the event. While there were many great fights and stories told during the event in Houston, many fans and media members alike couldn’t escape the fact that there were quite a few questionable decisions regarding the judging. One such example came during Trevin Giles vs. James Krause which closed out the prelims section of the card.
Michel Pereira claims that illegal knee never hit Diego Sanchez in the head
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Michel Pereira doesn’t believe that his knee collided with the head of Diego Sanchez this past Saturday. At UFC Rio Rancho, Pereira was looking to return to the win column against Sanchez. After dominating the opening two rounds of the fight, Pereira threw a knee that appeared to hit Sanchez in the head while he was grounded. The referee ruled the strike was illegal, and because Sanchez couldn’t continue, he was awarded the DQ win.
Darren Till reveals DM's he sent Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Darren Till has been sending DM’s to Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248. Till was expected to fight Jared Cannonier on the card but Cannonier recently announced that he was injured and needed surgery. So, Till changed his focus from fighting ‘The Killa Gorilla’ to being the backup/replacement fighter for Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 248.
Kenny Florian blames Michel Pereira for DQ loss against Diego Sanchez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2020
Kenny Florian believes Michel Pereira has no one to blame but himself for being disqualified against Diego Sanchez. Pereira and Sanchez collided this past Saturday night (Feb. 15). The bout served as UFC Rio Rancho’s co-main event. While Pereira appeared to have easily snagged rounds one and two, he made a costly mistake in the final frame. Pereira landed an illegal knee on a downed Sanchez. The “Nightmare” said he was unable to continue and the fight was called off. Sanchez was awarded the DQ win.
On last fight of contract, Jalin Turner says UFC Auckland is 'do-or-die' for UFC career
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Jalin Turner knows the stakes are high for his UFC Auckland fight against short-notice opponent, Joshua Culibao. Entering this fight, Turner is just 1-2 in the UFC with a debut loss to Vicente Luque at welterweight and most recently a decision loss to Matt Frevola. In his last fight, he admits he probably should have pulled out but with his kid being born just weeks after he needed the money and couldn’t risk being on the sidelines with no payday insight.
Report | Study raises concerns over fighters taking weight-cutting advice from peers instead of doctors
Natasha Hooper - February 18, 2020
A report from the Dublin City University has raised concerns over weight-cutting methods used by MMA fighters and influenced by their peers. The University report lead by Dr Brendan Egan, David Nolan and John Connor from the School of Health and Human Performance investigated over 260 athletes that take part in rapid weight loss (RWL) practices to compete.