MMA News
Dana White responds to criticism over Conor McGregor fighting amid sexual assault allegations
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2019
UFC president Dana White has responded to criticism that suggests Conor McGregor should not be fighting in the midst of ongoing sexual assault allegations. The New York Times broke the story on two separate allegations of sexual assault earlier this year, and while some fans chose to turn a blind eye to it or immediately jump to defending McGregor, plenty of others wanted to see justice take its course in one way or the other before McGregor made his return.
Alexander Volkanovski suggests Jose Aldo was a tougher matchup than Max Holloway
Natasha Hooper - December 13, 2019
This Saturday, at UFC 245, Alexander Volkanovski will face a huge test in the form of Max Holloway. Volkanovski, the No. 1 ranked featherweight, will fight “Blessed” for the UFC featherweight title. Holloway has a plethora of accolades, including wins over Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis. Volkanovski acknowledges the difficult task at hand, but he believes he can overcome any challenge that Holloway presents.
Henry Cejudo rooting for Jose Aldo to set up fight in Rio but believes Moraes wins by KO
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2019
If Henry Cejudo has his way, he hopes Jose Aldo gets past Marlon Moraes at UFC 245. Cejudo hopes that it will set up a fight with Aldo in his home city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the bantamweight title.
Breaking | Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik headlines UFC Columbus
Adam Martin - December 12, 2019
The UFC has revealed that a heavyweight clash between knockout artists Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will headline UFC Columbus. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the news late Thursday night. Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik will headline a UFC Fight Night event on March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Fernand Lopez: "ARES FC will be bigger than Bellator and ONE"
Alfredo Zullino - December 12, 2019
The first event of new mixed martial arts promotion ARES Fighting Championship is just around the corner. The European-African brand promotion announced they will hold their inaugural event in Dakar, Senegal on December 14. ⏳The countdown has begun… December 14th, #ARES1 pic.twitter.com/hqpWp4qEpt
Colby Covington says if he doesn't get paid better he'll go to WWE after UFC 245
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2019
Colby Covington says that if he doesn’t get a pay increase, UFC 245 will be his final fight and he’ll head to WWE. Covington has had disputes with the UFC saying they use ‘slave labor’ negotiations and has even slammed promotional President Dana White. Now, ahead of his fight against Kamaru Usman, he makes it clear he is not happy with his pay. He says something needs to change if he is going to fight again after UFC 245.
Dana White explains why McGregor defeating Cerrone would jump Conor ahead of Justin Gaethje
Christopher Taylor - December 12, 2019
Earlier this week UFC President Dana White made headlines when he suggested that if Conor McGregor defeats Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, it could set up a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov. That news did not sit well with top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje, who proceeded to rip the UFC boss over his comments calling the idea “a total crock of sh*t”.
Colby Covington clears up misconceptions about his UFC persona
Natasha Hooper - December 12, 2019
As Colby Covington prepares to fight Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 245, his trash-talking antics have been taken up a notch. The number 2 ranked welterweight has come under scrutiny for his controversial comments. His various criticisms range from racially charged insults at the crowd following his Rafael Dos Anjos fight, his MAGA advocacy, and insults directed at teammates including Jorge Masvidal.
Betting odds for UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington fight card
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2019
UFC 245 is almost here, and we’ve got the betting odds for the full card. There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the Las Vegas spectacular that is set to go down at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, with the three main title fights being as good of a reason as any. There’s a whole lot of intrigue surrounding what is going to happen in these contests, with all three being viewed as very competitive matchups by most fans and experts.
PHOTOS | See Jose Aldo less than 24 hours out from UFC 245 weigh-ins
Tom Taylor - December 12, 2019
This weekend, on the main card of UFC 245, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will make his debut in the bantamweight division. He’ll be welcomed to this new division by former UFC title challenger and World Series of Fighting champ Marlon Moraes — certainly not a tune-up fight. Before Aldo can even think about dealing with the challenge that is Moraes, however, he’ll have to make the 136-pound limit for their fight. Given that he was always a pretty hefty featherweight, the widespread expectation is that his final cut down to 136 could be quite difficult.
Mike Perry on scrap with Geoff Neal: 'I'm expecting the hospital'
Adam Martin - December 12, 2019
UFC welterweight star Mike Perry knows he’s fighting on a stacked card this weekend at UFC 245, but there’s one fight he’s zeroing in on as “Fight of the Night.” Hint: it’s his own.
Amanda Nunes warns Claressa Shields amid talk of UFC move
Tom Taylor - December 12, 2019
There’s recently been renewed discussion about a potential MMA showdown between two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes and boxing champion Claressa Shields — thanks in large part to the comments of Dana White. “Claressa Shields is coming [to UFC 245],” White told BT Sport ahead of Nunes’ Saturday night bantamweight title fight with challenger Germaine de Randamie (via MMA Fighting). “She’ll be here Saturday to watch the fight. She’s coming to watch the fight, and I will be honest with you, Claressa Shields’ people and I have talked. I don’t know, we’ll see. We’ve talked.
Henry Cejudo says he will leave MMA if he doesn't get paid
Adam Martin - December 12, 2019
UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo says he will walk away from MMA if he doesn’t get paid more by the UFC. Cejudo is one of the few double champions in the history of the UFC. He is one of the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighters in the sport right now and, as a former Olympic gold medalist, easily one of the finest athletes to ever step into the Octagon.
Jimmy Smith scolds referee Dan Miragliotta for botched call in Stefan Struve fight
Adam Martin - December 12, 2019
Former UFC analyst Jimmy Smith ripped referee Big Dan Miragliotta for his handling of last weekend’s Stefan Struve vs. Ben Rothwell fight at UFC DC. Struve was TKOed in the second round of his fight with Rothwell via punches, but not before he was the victim of a number of devastating low blows. Many fighters would have chosen not to continue to fight, but Struve decided to continue and ultimately lost.
Jorge Masvidal sends reminder to 'b***h' Colby Covington ahead of UFC 245
Mike Heck - December 12, 2019
For those who think the beef between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal is fabricated, “Gamebred” added a little fuel to the fire Thursday morning heading into UFC 245. Covington, Masvidal’s former longtime friend and roommate, will challenge Kamaru Usman for the undisputed welterweight title Saturday night in the headliner of 2019’s final pay-per-view. The event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
VIDEO | Hear what Colby Covington had to say during Usman’s defeat of Woodley
Tom Taylor - December 12, 2019
Colby Covington was cage-side when Kamaru Usman challenged Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title earlier this year, and as expected, he had a lot to say. The UFC released footage of the cage-side Covington as the outspoken welterweight contender prepares to battle Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 245 this weekend.
Donald Trump mentions UFC's Colby Covington and Bryce Mitchell in politically charged Tweet
Tom Taylor - December 12, 2019
Donald Trump has been paying close attention to the fight game recently, cozying up with Colby Covington, attending the recent UFC 244 card in New York, congratulating Tito Ortiz on his latest win, and more. On Thursday, that trend continued, as Trump unleashed a politically charged Tweet that mentioned Covington as well as UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell.
Colby Covington reaffirms he won't let Dana White put belt on him, hopes another celebrity will
Tom Taylor - December 12, 2019
It’s tradition for UFC President Dana White to wrap the belt around the winner of each UFC title fight. If Colby Covington defeats Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 245 this weekend, though, don’t expect to see the UFC boss adorning him with the belt. Ahead of the fight, Covington has made it clear that he doesn’t want White anywhere near him in the cage.