MMA News
VIDEO | Alistair Overeem shows off his lip stitches following surgery
Natasha Hooper - December 18, 2019
Alistair Overeem debuted his post-operation lip in a clip featured on ESPN’s Instagram page. “The Reem” suffered the injury at the hands of Jairzinho Rozenstruik. The heavyweights collided in the main event of UFC Washington on December 7. The undefeated Rozenstruik filled on short notice for Walt Harris, who had to withdraw from the bout with Overeem due to the tragic death of his step-daughter.
Khabib Nurmagomedov lists the areas where he's better than Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
On April 18, in the main event of UFC 249, undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will attempt to defend his title against streaking contender Tony Ferguson—that is, provided the matchup isn’t once again derailed by a cruel twist of fate. As UFC 249 draws closer, this Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight is being praised as one of the greatest matchups in UFC history. The two fighters have both looked unstoppable of late, and would seem to have answers to the other’s strengths.
ESPN raises price of UFC pay-per-views
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
UFC pay-per-views are going to be a little more expensive going forward, starting with UFC 246 on January 18. That card, and those that follow it, will cost $64.99 rather than the usual $59.99. This price-hike can be attributed to ESPN, the promotion’s broadcast partner, as UFC pay-per-views are available exclusively through the ESPN app.
Rory MacDonald parts ways with Bellator, signs with PFL
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Rory MacDonald has parted ways with Bellator MMA. After a period of free agency, the former Bellator welterweight champion has not signed a new deal with the promotion, and instead inked a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Jose Aldo fires back at 'Snow White's security guard' Henry Cejudo
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Jose Aldo came up short in his UFC 245 bantamweight debut, losing a decision to Marlon Moraes. That being said, many members of the MMA community felt Aldo deserved the judges’ nod in this fight — UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo is among them. Shortly after UFC 245, Cejudo issued a callout of Aldo, challenging the former featherweight champion to a fight in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Max Holloway praises new UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2019
Max Holloway has had nothing but good things to say about the new UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. The two men played an incredible chess match against one another inside the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC 245, with Volkanovski being the man who did enough to get his hand raised. At the time it seemed as if Holloway was a bit conflicted about the decision from the judges, but upon reflection, he’s happy to just give praise where it’s due to Australia’s second UFC champ.
Justin Gaethje pays off lunch debts for students at 2 different schools
Natasha Hooper - December 18, 2019
The world of MMA has seen top fighters use their success to help others. Lightweight contender Justin Gaethje is helping students by paying off their lunch debts at two Denver schools. Sharing is caring, as “The Highlight” inked a cheque last week to pay for $1,538 worth of lunch debts accrued at West Early College High School and Middle School.
Francis Ngannou opens as big favorite over Jairzinho Rozenstruik for UFC Columbus
Natasha Hooper - December 18, 2019
Francis Ngannou is set to return to the Octagon against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Columbus in March. The heavy hitter is leading the way as the favorite to win in their the upcoming fight. Ngannou last fought in June of 2019, when he took on Junior Dos Santos in the main event of UFC Minneapolis. The 33-year old utilized his striking to accomplish a first-round victory. “The Predator” currently has three back-to-back first-round finishes. Prior to Junior Dos Santos, the heavyweight star beat Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez by TKO in under a minute each.
Conor McGregor sends message to 'scurrying rat' Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov unsure if there will be any point of fighting after Tony Ferguson contest
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t know if he will fight again after taking on Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. The undefeated Dagestani lightweight champion has been hinting at retirement for quite some time now. His father has even advised him to retire young. Yet, on April 18 at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York, Nurmagomedov will put up his lightweight strap on the line against Ferguson.
Kamaru Usman wants Georges St-Pierre next, believes he finishes him
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
Kamaru Usman is looking to score a fight with mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre. Usman is coming off of his first title defense in the main event of UFC 245 where he TKO’d Colby Covington in the fifth round. Although there are contenders like Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal out there, “The Nigerian Nightmare” wants St-Pierre.
Ali Abdelaziz praises Colby Covington for UFC 245 performance
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
The bad blood between Ali Abdelaziz and Colby Covington may be a thing of the past. Abdelaziz and Covington got into it after UFC 235 at a Las Vegas buffet and have since trashed each other in interviews. Yet, following UFC 245 where “Chaos” suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Abdelaziz’s client in Kamaru Usman, the manager took to Twitter to praise the former interim champ.
Mike Perry issues introspective statement after loss to Geoff Neal
Thomas Taylor - December 17, 2019
Fan favorite welterweight fighter “Platinum” Mike Perry returned to the Octagon on the undercard of UFC 245, where he collided with top-15 contender Geoff Neal. In this fight, Perry sought to rebound from a razor close, split decision loss to Vicente Luque, which left his nose badly broken.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vows to show Weili Zhang the 'Polish power'
Tom Taylor - December 17, 2019
Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk will attempt to reclaim the title she once owned when she takes on reigning champion Weili Zhang at UFC 238 on March 7. Jedrzejczyk is unsurprisingly very excited about the opportunity to reclaim her throne.
Jose Aldo responds to callout from Henry Cejudo
Natasha Hooper - December 17, 2019
Despite losing to Marlon Moraes at UFC 245, Jose Aldo is confident he made the right decision to move down to bantamweight. The former UFC featherweight champ has his sights set on the bantamweight throne, and that includes overthrowing the current champion, Henry Cejudo. In the main event of UFC 245 last Saturday, Aldo showed he is as dangerous as ever. The closely contested fight ended in a controversial split decision victory in favour of Moraes. Aldo was confident he delivered the better performance and disagreed with the final ruling.
Dana White updates on Zuffa Boxing launch
Tom Taylor - December 17, 2019
UFC President Dana White has been teasing the launch of his new Zuffa Boxing venture for months. In fact, he initially intended to kickstart this new boxing promotion in October or November. Speaking at Yahoo! Sports, White updated on this venture, and explained why it has not yet gotten off the ground.
Jon Jones explains why he's not a fan of Dominick Reyes
Tom Taylor - December 17, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to defend his title against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 on February 8. Initially, it seemed as though we were in for a cordial buildup to this fight. If Jones’ comments at the recent UFC 247 pre-fight press conference were any indication though, there’s plenty of trash talk coming our way. At the press conference, Jones explained why Reyes rubs him the wrong way.
Dana White shares plan for Colby Covington after UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 17, 2019
At UFC 245, Colby Covington attempted to wrest the UFC welterweight title from the waist of champion Kamaru Usman. Unfortunately for the outspoken challenger, this mission didn’t go as planned, as he was stopped by a volley of fifth-round strikes from the champ. From here, Covington will likely take some time off to recover from the injuries he sustained in the fight — most notably a fractured jaw. From there, it’ll be back to the drawing board, as he attempts to work his way back to a shot at the UFC welterweight title.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane looking to be first person to submit Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 in Hawaii
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is set to defend her Bellator women’s flyweight title at home in Hawaii for the second straight year. She takes on Kate Jackson this Saturday. Last year, she submitted Valerie Letourneau in Hawaii, and it was an emotional night for her. MacFarlane cried during her walkout, and the 29 year old expects to do so again at Bellator 236.