MMA News
Matt Serra: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington stoppage was 'pretty bad'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 23, 2019
Matt Serra believes Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington could’ve played out longer than it did. Usman vs. Covington headlined UFC 245 earlier this month. Usman put the UFC welterweight gold on the line inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a back-and-forth battle, “The Nigerian Nightmare” ended up scoring the fifth-round TKO victory. Covington was quick to protest the stoppage to referee Marc Goddard.
Cory Sandhagen removed from UFC Raleigh, no replacement opponent for Frankie Edgar sought
Adam Martin - December 23, 2019
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will be removed from the UFC Raleigh card, and no replacement opponent will be sought for Frankie Edgar. The No. 4-ranked bantamweight on the UFC roster, Sandhagen was expected to take on Edgar in what was to be the biggest fight of his young career and also Edgar’s 135lbs debut. However, the UFC instead chose Edgar to replace Brian Ortega against The Korean Zombie in the main event of UFC Busan.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says retirement is 'very close'
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov is scheduled to defend the UFC lightweight title against streaking contender Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 this April. While this mammoth showdown is at the forefront of the champ’s mind at the moment, he is also thinking about his inevitable retirement from MMA—which is apparently “around the corner.” “Well, we don’t have a plan for when we’re going to finish but I do know it is not over the mountains, as they say,” Khabib said during a recent Q&A in Russia (Via RT Sport). “That time is very close.
Conor McGregor praises Frankie Edgar: 'Forever an icon in this game'
Adam Martin - December 23, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor praised Frankie Edgar in the wake of Edgar’s knockout loss to The Korean Zombie, saying he’s “forever an icon in this game.” Edgar suffered a vicious first-round knockout loss in the main event of UFC Busan this past weekend against The Korean Zombie, having taken the fight on short notice to fill in for the injured Brian Ortega. McGregor is a former rival of Edgar and the two were in talks to fight in his return bout, but McGregor ended up being booked against Donald Cerrone instead.
Donald Cerrone responds to conspiracies that he'll take a dive against Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor is scheduled to return to the Octagon opposite Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 on January 18. Despite the dangerous test that Cerrone represents, there is already buzz about McGregor potentially fighting Jorge Masvidal or Khabib Nurmagomedov thereafter — either of which would represent hugely lucrative fights for the UFC. Suffice it to say that there will be a lot at stake when McGregor fights Cerrone in January. So much so that some fans have theorized that the UFC might pay Cerrone to take a dive against McGregor, thereby opening the door to more lucrative fights fo McGregor.
UFC Busan medical suspensions: Frankie Edgar facing lengthy absence
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
Frankie Edgar took a gamble by taking a short-notice fight with “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the UFC Busan main event, but it did not pay off. Instead, Edgar was finished in the first round, and has received a significant medical suspension as a result. This suspension rules out any possibility that he’ll be able to fight Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh in January as originally planned. Because the UFC Busan card occurred outside the jurisdiction of a combat sports commission, the UFC handled medical suspension internally. The promotion’s medical suspensions have been acquired by mixedmartialarts.com, and can be viewed in full below.
Islam Makhachev refutes Kevin Lee booking, calls for fight contract
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
Over the weekend, UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee divulged to Helen Yee that he has received an offer to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April. Lee added that he and the UFC are waiting on Makhachev to sign his contract, and that it’s not clear what the delay is. Kevin Lee tells me his next fight offered will be against Islam Mackhachev in the Khabib vs Tony Ferguson card in April in Brooklyn. According to Kevin, they’re waiting on Islam and not sure what the holdup is. Interview coming shortly.
What's next for Korean Zombie and Frankie Edgar after UFC Busan?
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2019
Over the weekend, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung fought at home in the main event of UFC Busan. He took on short-notice replacement opponent Frankie Edgar. It was a critical fight for both men as the winner would be well-positioned for a fight with new featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. In the end, it was the Korean Zombie who got it done as he became just the second person to finish Edgar. He rocked “The Answer” numerous times and earned a first-round TKO win. Following UFC Busan, here is what we think should be next for Jung and Edgar.
Firas Zahabi jokes about how Georges St-Pierre avoids Alien abduction
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2019
Sometimes in mixed martial arts we can all take ourselves a little bit too seriously — which is why we need a bit of comic relief from time to time. Enter Georges St-Pierre. St-Pierre happens to be one of the most successful fighters in the history of the sport. The Canadian is a fascinating character with many different traits, many of which are great, and some of which are a little bit odd.
Jon Jones teases heavyweight jump in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2019
Fan fans have been clamoring to see reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones move to heavyweight for years. From the sounds of it, we could finally see that happen in 2020. While Jones is currently scheduled for a light heavyweight title defense opposite undefeated contender Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, he recently divulged that he was initially trying to book a fight with heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is helping those in need this Christmas
Natasha Hooper - December 23, 2019
Jon Jones has been getting into the Christmas spirit by handing out winter coats for free on December 23. The UFC light heavyweight champion posted a picture to social media of him smiling, accompanied by a van full of gifts, ready to share the gift of giving.
Video | Fighter breaks arm during slam in Combate Americas bout
Adam Martin - December 22, 2019
An MMA fighter had their arm broken in gruesome fashion during a Combate Americas event that took place on Friday night in Lima, Peru. Lightweight Milko Tucto took on Salvador Becerra in the first round of a tournament to determine the new Copa Combates America lightweight champion. It was during their fight that disaster struck, as Becerra was on the wrong end of an absolutely vicious slam that shattered his arm.
Kamaru Usman hoping to be on next season of “The Bachelor”
Adam Martin - December 22, 2019
Everyone is looking for love and it’s no different for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who hopes to be on the next season of “The Bachelor.” Usman recently defended the UFC welterweight title with a fifth-round TKO finish over Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 245. It was one of the best fights of the year and improved Usman’s MMA record to 16-1, including a perfect 11-0 mark inside the Octagon.
Kevin Lee vs. Islam Makhachev targeted for UFC 249
Adam Martin - December 22, 2019
A lightweight bout between top-15 ranked fighters Kevin Lee and Islam Makhachev is being targeted to take place at UFC 249. The event is set for April 18 at Barclays Arena in Brooklyn, New York, with the main event seeing UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov attempts to defend his title against No. 1 contender Tony Ferguson. A fight between Lee and Makhachev would likely serve as one of the five main card pay-per-view bouts.
Kevin Lee speaks at Bernie Sanders rally, takes a shot at Colby Covington
Adam D Martin - December 22, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee spoke at the rally for U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in Las Vegas on Saturday and took a shot at Colby Covington. Lee is a supporter of Sanders and spoke highly of him at the rally. Here’s what Lee said (via Bernie Sanders’ Twitter).
Jorge Masvidal scoffs at critics of chasing money fights
Adam D Martin - December 22, 2019
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal is scoffing at the critics who have suggested he shouldn’t be chasing money fights. Masvidal is the clear-cut No. 1 contender in the UFC welterweight division now that Kamaru Usman defended his title against Colby Covington last week at UFC 245. However, Masvidal appears to be targeting a superfight against superstar Conor McGregor in MMA or taking his skills to the boxing ring to face off against the legend Floyd Mayweather.
Kamaru Usman congratulates ‘Big little brother’ Mohammed following his KO victory at Titan FC
Adam D Martin - December 22, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman congratulated his ‘big little brother’ Mohammed Usman on his KO victory at Titan FC 38 this weekend. It’s been a good month for the Usman family, as Kamaru defeated Colby Covington via fifth-round TKO last Saturday at UFC 245 to defend the UFC welterweight title, and now his brother Mohammed knocked out Reggie Cato with one punch at Titan FC 38 last night.
Donald Cerrone on Conor McGregor: “I’m just as wild and crazy as him!”
Adam D Martin - December 22, 2019
UFC welterweight star Donald Cerrone might not make the media headlines as much as Conor McGregor, but “Cowboy” says he’s just as ‘wild and crazy’ as the Irishman is. Cerrone is set to take on McGregor in the main event of UFC 246 on January 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It goes without saying that this is a huge fight between two of the biggest stars in MMA and one that’s destined to do huge numbers at the box office.