MMA News
Rugby player James Haskell confirmed for MMA debut at Bellator London
Natasha Hooper - February 20, 2020
Former rugby player James Haskell is set to make his eagerly-anticipated MMA debut at Bellator London on May 16. The former England international finished his 17-year rugby career in 2019 just before announcing his decision to join the Bellator roster.
Evan Dunham ends retirement, returns at UFC Lincoln
Natasha Hooper - February 20, 2020
Once a fighter, always a fighter. That statement rings true for lightweight veteran Evan Dunham, who will be returning from his short-lived retirement to fight Michael Johnson. In 2018, Dunham announced his retirement plans following his UFC Sao Paulo bout against Francisco Trinaldo. He shared the news on Instagram.
ONE Championship announces multiple title fights, return of Eddie Alvarez
Tom Taylor - February 20, 2020
ONE Championship has announced multiple title fights for the upcoming ONE: Infinity 1 and 2 events. The second event will also feature the return of former UFC and Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez. ONE: Infinity 1 goes down on April 10 in Jakarta, Indonesia. As we already know, the card will feature a flyweight title fight between challenger Demetrious Johnson and champion Adriano Moraes.
UFC 248: ‘Romero vs Adesanya’ Fight Card and Start Times
Natasha Hooper - February 20, 2020
The next UFC pay-per-view on the calendar is the stacked UFC 248 card in Las Vegas, Nevada, scheduled for March 7. In the main event, Israel Adesanya will fight Yoel Romero for middleweight gold. The bout will be “The Last Stylebender’s” first title defence since claiming the middleweight belt from Robert Whittaker at UFC 243.
Dustin Poirier planning May return to the Octagon
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says he is planning a return to the Octagon in May after having not fought since last September. We last saw Poirier at UFC 242 when he was choked out by UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. That loss snapped a six-fight unbeaten streak for Poirier, but despite the loss he remains one of the highest-ranked lightweights in the UFC.
Jorge Masvidal says he's open to fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov if the UFC makes him the right offer
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Jorge Masvidal hasn’t fought at lightweight since 2015 when he lost to Al Iaquinta by split-decision. But, that may change if the money is right. Since he decided to move up to welterweight he has become an elite-fighter. In 2019 he knocked out Darren Till, Ben Askren and TKO’d Nate Diaz to capture the promotions BMF title. He also is next in line to fight for the welterweight title.
Breaking | Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanne Calderwood set for UFC 251
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko has her fourth title defense set as she will battle Joanne Calderwood at UFC 251 on June 6. Calderwood was the presumed number one contender for Valentina Shevchenko following the champs UFC 247 win and now has received her chance at gold. The news of the fight was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN.
Donald Cerrone hoping to return to the Octagon in March or April
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC legend Donald Cerrone is hoping to return to the Octagon in March or April following his knockout loss to Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 246. Cerrone lasted only 40 seconds to McGregor back in January, suffering his third consecutive TKO defeat after losing to Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson before that. It’s been a brutal stretch for Cerrone, one of the most popular fighters in MMA history and the most active fighter in UFC history, as he appears to be on the downside of his career after years of being a durable fan favorite who was known for his ability to absorb damage.
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.
Brent Primus frustrated with infrequency of fights in Bellator, considering free agency
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Brent Primus has only fought once a year in Bellator, except in 2013 when he got two fights in. But, the former champion makes it clear that is not his doing. The 34-year-old expected to be more active, especially when he was the champion and now former champ. He became the lightweight champion in 2017 in his eighth professional fight when he beat Michel Chandler by doctor stoppage.
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.
Joe Rogan fawns over 'f**king monster' Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
If you’ve ever heard Joe Rogan commentate a Valentina Shevchenko fight, you know how highly he thinks of her. On a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, however, the UFC commentator went absolutely gaga over the women’s flyweight champ.
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.