MMA News
Diego Sanchez would love to have Mike Tyson in his corner on February 15
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
Diego Sanchez’s last fight saw him use one cornerman with little to no martial arts experience. Now, the UFC veteran is hoping to add a boxing legend to his corner. Sanchez will return to the Octagon on Feb. 15 at UFC Rio Rancho when he takes on Michel Pereira. If the 37-year-old has his way, former boxing heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson will be in his corner for that fight.
Report | Bellator to sign Liz Carmouche
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
The UFC surprisingly released Liz Carmouche last week, but it doesn’t appear she will be on the free-agent market looking for work for long. According to Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Bellator has already been in touch with Carmouche about signing with the promotion. At this point, Bellator is just waiting for the UFC to send out its official release papers.
Jorge Masvidal says he's not waiting for a potential Nick Diaz fight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC in 2019. And, he makes it clear he is not waiting on anyone for a fight. Since “Gamebred” beat Nate Diaz at UFC 244, him and Nick Diaz have gone back-and-forth in interviews and many thought a fight between the two would happen. Yet, Jorge Masvidal makes it clear there has been no progression on the fight and is not waiting on the elder Diaz to return to the Octagon.
James Gallagher calls Nick Diaz interview "scary", urges him to stay retired
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
Bellator fighter James Gallagher hopes Nick Diaz stays in retirement for good as he found his recent interview concerning. Diaz sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani last month and hinted at a possible Octagon return against Jorge Masvidal (to avenge his younger brother’s recent loss.) As Nick Diaz is a figurehead of the sport that many younger fighters look up to, his demeanour was a cause for concern for the young Irishman. Gallagher said (transcript via Metro News):
Cody Stamann reacts to controversial UFC DC draw, plans to appeal
Mike Heck - December 9, 2019
One of the fights fans were looking forward to seeing most on Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 7 was a bantamweight fight between Cody Stamann and Song Yadong. While the fight featured a solid game plan from Stamann against a 2-1 favored opponent in the dangerous Yadong, it was mired in controversy following the reading of the judges score cards. Stamann, along with many members of the MMA community, believed he had done enough to get the nod against Yadong. However, one judge scored it for Stamann, while the others scored it an even 28-28 to lead to a majority draw — the first of two draws on the night.
Colby Covington makes promise to Donald Trump ahead of UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Top UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington is an outspoken Donald Trump supporter, and even met the United States President after a 2018 interim title win over Rafael dos Anjos. As Covington makes his final preparations for his UFC 245-headlining welterweight title fight with undisputed champion Kamaru Usman, which goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, he’s decided to promise Trump another UFC title win.
Justin Gaethje says Conor McGregor's return is good for the sport: 'It's good to have him back'
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje says he’s excited to see Conor McGregor return to the Octagon, admitting his presence is “good for the sport.” McGregor recently announced he is returning to the Octagon to take on Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout in the main event of UFC 246. Gaethje was gunning for the fight with McGregor himself, but ultimately the Irishman chose Cerrone as his next opponent.
Tyron Woodley on fighting at UFC London: 'F**k That'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2019
Don’t expect Tyron Woodley to compete on the UFC London card. Woodley hasn’t competed since March when he lost the UFC welterweight title to Kamaru Usman. “The Chosen One” was scheduled to meet Robbie Lawler in a rematch back in June, but Woodley had to be pulled due to an injury. While the former 170-pound champion says he wants to return to action soon, he doesn’t want to fight in London.
Johnny Walker considering move to Tristar Gym to work with Firas Zahabi
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
UFC light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker is considering a move to Tristar gym for his next camp to work with renowned head coach Firas Zahabi. Walker is scheduled to fight Nikita Krylov next March in Brasilia, Brazil in a fight that he needs to win. After getting knocked out in devastating and shocking fashion to Corey Anderson at UFC 244, Walker needs to bounce back with a win over Krylov or else risk getting lost in the shuffle at 205lbs.
Daniel Cormier believes Miocic trilogy fight could be a ways off
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic are currently 1-1 across two previous fights, and the expectation is that they’ll meet in a tie-breaking trilogy fight in the near future. The date for this trilogy fight, however, is still a mystery. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Cormier shed a bit of light on the timeframe for this fight. He believes that, as the UFC’s calendar for the first quarter of 2020 is filling up, there might not be time for his tie-breaker with Miocic until at least June.
Max Holloway says he 'would love' to box Floyd Mayweather
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway says that he “would love” to box Floyd Mayweather after he takes care of business against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245. Holloway is set to defend the UFC’s 145lbs title this weekend in the co-main event of UFC 245. “Blessed” said he’s not looking past his opponent, but he is keeping a watchful eye on what Mayweather does now that he’s in cahoots with UFC president Dana White about a possible co-promotion with Zuffa Boxing.
Ali Abdelaziz teases Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans trilogy fight
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz is teasing a potential trilogy fight between UFC Hall of Famers Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, asking fans if they want the two legends to run it back for a third time. Abdelaziz, the manager for several of MMA’s biggest stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, and Frankie Edgar, took to social media on Monday to poll fans if they want to see a rematch between Ortiz and Evans. Abdelaziz is also the manager of Evans.
What's next for Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alistair Overeem after UFC DC?
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
Jairzinho Rozenstruik was looking to cement himself as a top-10 heavyweight in the main event of UFC Washington D.C. In the US capital, the Surinamese knockout artist was taking on Alistair Overeem, who was looking to climb his way up to another title shot. In the end, Rozenstruik knocked Overeem out with just four seconds left in the fifth and final round to remain undefeated.
Jorge Masvidal lays out his retirement plans
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
2019 has been a huge year for Jorge Masvidal. He intends to keep that momentum going in 2020, win the UFC welterweight title, and retire in then next three years. Masvidal laid out his retirement plans in an interview with MMA Mania.
Stefan Struve speaks out on controversial loss to Ben Rothwell
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Over the weekend, on the main card of the UFC’s latest stop in Washington, D.C., towering heavyweight veteran Stefan Struve returned to the cage opposite Ben Rothwell. Rothwell ultimately defeated Struve with a vicious volley of second-round punches. Unfortunately, this stoppage was somewhat overshadowed by the two devastating low blows Rothwell landed earlier in the fight.
Tito Ortiz updates on what's next after Combate Americas win
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Over the weekend, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz picked up a blowout, submission victory over former WWE star Alberto Del Rio. The bout headlined Combate Americas’ first foray onto pay-per-view. With this victory, Ortiz moved onto a three-fight win-streak, having beaten former UFC talents Chuck Liddell and Chael Sonnen in his next most recent fights. While the 44-year-old has unsuccessfully retired several times previously, it doesn’t sound like he has any desire to stop now.
Colby Covington claims UFC was going to release him before he cut 'filthy animals' promo in Brazil
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington claims the UFC was planning on releasing him before he cut his famous ‘filthy animals’ promo in Brazil. In October 2017, Covington fought Demian Maia in Sao Paulo, Brazil in what was the biggest fight of his career at the time. Covington defeated Maia via decision that night and then went on a verbal tirade during his post-fight interview, calling Brazilians “filthy animals” and saying the country was “a dump.”
TJ Dillashaw shows bulked up physique as he continues MMA training
Natasha Hooper - December 8, 2019
TJ Dillashaw appears to have put on some serious muscle mass as showcased in a recent Instagram snap. The former two-time bantamweight champion hasn’t fought since January 2019, when he was defeated at the hands of Henry Cejudo in a flyweight bout. The current champion finished him with a shocking 32 second TKO in the first round. In April, Dillashaw was handed a two-year suspension after it was revealed he tested positive for EPO use. As a result, he was stripped of his bantamweight title and has been out of action ever since.