MMA News
Fedor Emelianenko praises Khabib Nurmagomedov but says he needs to refine his striking technique
Adam Martin - February 10, 2020
Heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko praised UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov but says “The Eagle” needs to work on his striking technique. Emelianenko is regarded as the greatest Russian MMA fighter of all-time but in many ways, Nurmagomedov has taken the torch from “The Last Emperor” as the greatest Russian fighter on the planet right now. The two have the utmost respect for each other and both men have led to Russia becoming a hotbed for mixed martial arts around the globe.
Derrick Lewis no longer interested in fighting Greg Hardy
Tom Taylor - February 10, 2020
Long-time UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis previously stated his desire to get his hands on rising prospect player Greg Hardy, who was blackballed from the NFL after a domestic violence scandal. “I think he looked good, but as soon as the fight ended, I started thinking about his (ex-girlfriend), I was like, I wonder if he had hit her like that,” Lewis said shortly after Hardy’s 2019 no contest with Ben Sosoli. “I don’t know, man. I really don’t like guys like that because I grew up with a troubled past, and I saw my stepdad fight my mom just about every single day. I don’t even remember one day they didn’t go without arguing or fighting.
Roxanne Modafferi willing to fight UFC 247 winner Lauren Murphy on two conditions
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2020
Roxanne Modafferi has said that she’s willing to fight Lauren Murphy, who won her fight at UFC 247 this past weekend, on two conditions. Modafferi is coming off the back of what many consider to be the biggest win of her career at UFC 246 when she overcame Maycee Barber to pick up a huge unanimous decision. Ever since then there’s certainly been more of a buzz around her, and that has led to many believing that she could go on quite the run in the flyweight division.
Bellator middleweight champ Rafael Lovato relinquishes belt amid health concerns
Tom Taylor - February 10, 2020
Rafael Lovato Jr. has relinquished the Bellator middleweight title after revealing he’s suffering from a cavernoma, an issue pertaining to the blood vessels in the brain. Lovato opened up on these health concerns on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, explaining that the issue has put his career on hold.
Leon Edwards confident he would dethrone Kamaru Usman if he gets rematch
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2020
Leon Edwards is looking to rematch Kamaru Usman and is confident he would dethrone the champion. Edwards and Usman fought back at UFC on Fox 17 in December of 2015 where it was Usman who won by unanimous decision. It was a close fight where two judges had it 29-28, with the Englishman winning the first round. Yet it was Usman’s wrestling which was the difference-maker.
Jan Blachowicz says he'll get title shot with win over Anderson, confident he'd finish Jones
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2020
Jan Blachowicz always wanted to rematch Corey Anderson. The two first fought back at UFC 191 where it was Anderson who used his wrestling to score a unanimous decision win. Now, in the main event of UFC Rio Rancho, they will run it back where the stakes are higher, as the winner is expected to receive the next title shot against Jon Jones.
Katlyn Chookagian reacts following loss to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 247
Natasha Hooper - February 10, 2020
Katlyn Chookagian has reacted to her loss after getting stopped by Valentina Shevchenko last weekend at UFC 247. The No. 1 ranked contender challenged the reigning champion for the flyweight title in the co-main event on Saturday. In dominant fashion, Shevchenko dismantled Chookagian with her grappling and striking skillset. She finished the fight by TKO in the third round. An onslaught of ground and pound was enough to seal Chookagian’s fate as Referee Jacob Montalvo put a stop to the action.
What's next for the stars of UFC 247?
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2020
In the main event of UFC 247, Jon Jones was taking on the undefeated challenger in Dominick Reyes. The co-main attraction saw flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko looking to continue her reign as she battled Katlyn Chookagian. In the end, neither titles changed hands as Jones edged out a very close decision while Shevchenko earned a TKO win.
Joe Rogan calls for changes to 'poor system' following 'incompetent judging' at UFC 247
Chris Taylor - February 9, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has called for changes to be made to the current scoring system, this following what he called “incompetent judging” at UFC 247. Last night’s UFC 247 pay-per-view event in Houston left much to be desired in regards to the current state of MMA judging.
Jon Jones believes 'high standards' caused misconceptions in UFC 247 win
Chris Taylor - February 9, 2020
Jon Jones earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes in the headliner of last night’s UFC 247 event in Houston, Texas. The win improved Jones’ overall record to 26-1 but did not come without scrutiny.
Dana White reveals backup plan for Yoel Romero vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 248
Chris Taylor - February 9, 2020
Dana White has a backup plan in case Yoel Romero or Israel Adesanya are forced to withdraw from their slated middleweight title fight at UFC 248. The UFC’s reigning middleweight champion, Adesanya (18-0 MMA), is scheduled to defend his title against Romero in the main event of UFC 248 on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Brian Ortega wants Zabit Magomedsharipov for five rounds
Adam Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega says he has not yet signed to fight Zabit Magomedsharipov, but if they do fight he wants it to be for five rounds. Rumors emerged this week that the UFC was working on adding a potential featherweight firefight between Ortega and Magomedsharipov to UFC 249, the April pay-per-view featuring UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. If the fight takes place on the card, it would only be for three rounds, so Ortega is presumably asking the UFC for him to headline another card against Magomedsharipov.
Valentina Shevchenko names three potential opponents for next title defense
Adam Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko named three potential opponents for the next defense of her 125lbs title. Shevchenko took on Katlyn Chookagian in the co-main event of UFC 247 and put on an absolute clinic. Shevchenko outstruck and outgrappled Chookagian in the first two rounds, cutting her face open and beating her up. Early in the third round, Shevchenko was able to get Chookagian to the ground and into the dominant crucifix position, where he rained down nasty elbow strikes until the referee was forced to intervene and stop the fight.
Jon Jones open to Dominick Reyes rematch
Adam Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he is open to a rematch against Dominick Reyes after their controversial fight at UFC 247. The judges awarded the bout to Jones with scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46. Many observers felt that Reyes deserved to win the fight, including UFC president Dana White. But the three judges decided that Jones deserved to get his hand raised, leading to one of the most controversial title fight decisions in recent years.
John Kavanagh feels UFC 247 was a clear victory for Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - February 9, 2020
Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh said on his social media that he felt Jon Jones clearly deserved to win the decision against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. In one of the most controversial title fight decisions in recent years, Jones edged out a narrow unanimous decision victory by scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46. It was an extremely close fight that was fought tooth-and-nail by two of the best light heavyweights in the world, but most including UFC president Dana White seemed to side with Reyes earning the decision. The judges, however, awarded Jones the win, something which Kavanagh agrees with.
Dominick Reyes releases statement after UFC 247 loss, proclaims himself the "People's Champ"
Adam D Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes released a statement on social media following his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 247. Reyes dropped a razor-thin unanimous decision to Jones in the main event of UFC 247 in his bid to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship. The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 in favor of Jones, though many fans, media, and even UFC president Dana White though the challenger did enough to get his hand raised.
James Krause issues statement following short-notice loss at UFC 247
Adam D Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC welterweight James Krause has issued a statement following a short-notice split decision loss to Trevin Giles on the UFC 247 undercard. Krause filled in on less than 24 hours notice when Antonio Arroyo was removed from the card due to cramping. Krause was at the event cornering his teammate Youssef Zalal and decided to step up and take the fight with Giles despite it being at middleweight, a weight class above where Krause normally competes at.
Dominick Reyes on UFC 247 loss to Jon Jones: “I know I won that fight”
Adam D Martin - February 9, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes believes that he should have gotten the judges’ decision over champion Jon Jones at UFC 247. The judges scored the main event of UFC 247 for Jones with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, leading to the champ having another successful light heavyweight title defense. Despite many fans and media scoring the bout for Reyes, none of the three judges felt that way, which led to controversy when the scorecards were read.