MMA News
PHOTO | Francis Ngannou looks jacked ahead of Jairzinho Rozenstruik fight
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou shared a picture of himself looking jacked ahead of his fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Columbus. Ngannou is always in phenomenal shape for his fights but it appears he’s gone one step further in preparation for his fight against the undefeated Rozenstruik next month in Columbus. The card takes place on March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Valentina Shevchenko says Weili Zhang became champ due to 'lucky circumstances', not interested in potential superfight
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko believes Weili Zhang doesn’t deserve the chance to fight her for the women’s flyweight championship. After Zhang beat Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen back in August, she spoke about wanting to move up and fight Shevchenko. Yet, the flyweight champion says Zhang only became a UFC champ because of lucky circumstances.
Michael Bisping reacts to Saudi Arabia's reported offer to host Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2020
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has weighed in on Saudi Arabia’s reported offer to play host to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor II. There’s no denying that a rematch between Nurmagomedov and McGregor would be significantly lucrative for both parties and the UFC. Of course, “The Eagle” must get past Tony Ferguson and that is not likely to be an easy task. If he does, however, it opens the door for perhaps the biggest rematch in MMA history.
Joe Rogan believes Dominick Reyes is the 'most dangerous fighter Jon Jones has faced since Daniel Cormier'
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Joe Rogan believes Jon Jones is facing a very dangerous fighter in Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Reyes is undefeated and coming off a knockout win over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC Boston. It was an impressive victory, but for Rogan, it showed just how dangerous Reyes is.
Dustin Poirier interested in fighting Nate Diaz on Masvidal vs. Usman fight card in July
Natasha Hooper - February 4, 2020
Dustin Poirier wants to sink his teeth into a Nate Diaz bout on the Jorge Masvidal vs Kamaru Usman fight card in July. The welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is expected to defend his belt against ‘BMF champion’ Jorge Masvidal. ‘The Diamond’ is willing to join the blockbuster fight card if it is to fight Nate Diaz.
Jon Jones' former opponent Rashad Evans explains what Dominick Reyes needs to do to win
Natasha Hooper - February 4, 2020
Jon Jones is putting his light heavyweight title on the line against the rising contender, Dominick Reyes. His former opponent and teammate, Rashad Evans, reveals what it will take for the title challenger to overthrow the 205-pound champion. When Jon Jones began training at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque New Mexico, Evans was the light heavyweight star. While “Suga” initially embraced fresh meat in the form of Jon Jones, the power shift fractured any budding friendship.
Khabib Nurmagomedov criticizes UFC for handpicking Donald Cerrone as Conor McGregor's opponent
Adam Martin - February 4, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov criticized the UFC for handpicking Donald Cerrone as Conor McGregor’s opponent at UFC 246. McGregor needed just 40 seconds to knock Cerrone out and re-emerge as the sport’s biggest star. Since the fight happened last month, there have been plenty of critics for Cerrone’s performance including ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith. You can also count Nurmagomedov as one of Cerrone’s critics.
Khabib Nurmagomedov shrugs off $100m payday for Conor McGregor rematch
Tom Taylor - February 4, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz recently claimed that his star client, UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been offered $100M to rematch Conor McGregor in Saudi Arabia. The veracity of this statement from Ali Abdelaziz is not easy to determine, but either way, Nurmagomedov doesn’t seem all that interested. He thinks that money could be better spent elsewhere, like helping the blind.
Petr Yan interested in fighting TJ Dillashaw
Adam Martin - February 4, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Petr Yan says that he is interested in fighting former champion TJ Dillashaw when he returns from suspension in 2020. Dillashaw, the former two-time UFC bantamweight champ, has been out since January 2019 due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He is set to return in January 2020 from suspension and Yan says that he wants to fight him upon his return.
Leon Edwards makes prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal fight
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Leon Edwards is not a fan of Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal’s altercation at Radio Row during Super Bowl week. The two were doing radio shows to talk about what’s next for them when they saw each other and got into a verbal altercation. Immediately, it went all over social media and UFC president Dana White said he was not a fan of it. For Edwards, he agrees with White and says it makes MMA and the UFC look fake like the WWE.
Manager: Conor McGregor 'a lot happier at 170'
Tom Taylor - February 4, 2020
Conor McGregor won titles in the UFC featherweight and lightweight divisions, but for the moment, he seems to be happy in the 170-pound welterweight division. That’s according to manager Audie Attar, who saw first-hand how content McGregor was as he geared up for his UFC 246 welterweight scrap with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Dominick Reyes responds to Jon Jones saying he only beats cans
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2020
Dominick Reyes is aware of Jon Jones’ latest digs just ahead of UFC 247. We’ve entered fight week for the UFC’s next pay-per-view event. This Saturday night, Jones will put his light heavyweight gold on the line against Reyes. “Bones” is hoping to pull off the third successful title defense in his second reign as the 205-pound king. Reyes would like to capitalize on his first UFC title opportunity.
Jon Jones recounts getting bad 'energy' from referees in UFC fights
Tom Taylor - February 4, 2020
Dominick Reyes has stated that he intends to remind the referee for his UFC 247 fight Jon Jones of Jones’ infamous tendency to land eye-pokes. Understandably, Reyes’ doing so may cause the referee to keep an extra close eye on Jones in the fight. Apparently, that’s something Jones is used to.
Ilir Latifi says he's coming for the heavyweight division and it starts with Derrick Lewis
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Ilir Latifi always wanted to fight Derrick Lewis and now he has gotten his wish. On the main card of UFC 247, Latifi will move up in weight to battle Lewis.
Ben Rothwell ponders 'what if' he and Stipe Miocic had fought in Dublin
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2020
UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell has questioned what might’ve happened if he had wound up fighting Stipe Miocic in Dublin a few years ago as originally planned. Rothwell, who is coming off the back on a TKO win over Stefan Struve at the end of last year, is set to square off against Gian Villante at UFC 249 as he attempts to work his way back into the title picture in the heavyweight division.
Mirsad Bektic looking to put losses and injuries behind him in 2020: 'It was a very dark time for me'
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Mirsad Bektic admits after losing to Josh Emmett in July it was hard for him mentally. Bektic made his return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year after multiple injuries and a canceled fight to Renato Moicano at UFC 231. After the loss, Bektic started to reflect on the past year and admits he was in a dark place.
VIDEO | Tyron Woodley sharpening his tools in Thailand ahead of Leon Edwards bout
Natasha Hooper - February 4, 2020
Tyron Woodley is refining his technique in Thailand as he prepares to face Leon Edwards in his next UFC fight. The former welterweight champion has been out of action since losing his 170-pound title at UFC 235 in March 2019 against Kamaru Usman.
Jon Jones most tested athlete in any sport according to Jeff Novitzky
Adam Martin - February 3, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was the most tested athlete in any sport in 2019 according to UFC executive Jeff Novitzky. Jones was tested 42 times in 2019 by USADA, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the California State Athletic Commission combined. According to Novitzky, the UFC Senior VP of Athlete Health and Performance, that’s the most drug tests in one year for one particular athlete that he’s ever seen in his 20 years of experience in the space.