MMA News
Israel Adesanya suggests a fight with Paulo Costa would be similar to McGregor-Aldo
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Israel Adesanya says a potential bout with Paulo Costa would be similar to Conor McGregor’s fight against Jose Aldo. Of course, in that fight, the Irishman knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds with the first punch he threw. He also trash-talked the Brazilian leading up to the fight and many believe McGregor was in Aldo’s head.
Diego Sanchez signs new deal with UFC, fights Michel Pereira in New Mexico
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Long-time UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has re-signed a new contract with the world’s leading MMA promotion after briefly testing free agency. The UFC announced Wednesday that Sanchez has signed a new deal with the company and he will take on showman Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 167. The event takes place on February 15 at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Jose Aldo leaning toward Max Holloway win at UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has fought current UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway and top featherweight contender Alexander Volkanovski. As such, he has unique insight into the pair’s upcoming featherweight title fight, which is scheduled for the co-main event of UFC 245 on December 14. Aldo believes that, when the cage door closes on Holloway and Volkanovski on December 14, the champion will probably retain his title due to his size, skill and durability. That said, he acknowledges Volkanovski could win the fight.
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier, Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov targeted by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
The UFC has targeted an intriguing middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as well as an exciting light heavyweight matchup between Johnny Walker and Nikita Krylov. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani revealed the news on his Twitter.
Jose Aldo explains why Volkanovski loss 'hurt a lot more' than McGregor KO
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has only experienced a handful of losses over the course of his legendary career. Not all of those losses stung the same. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 245 battle with Marlon Moraes, which will mark his bantamweight debut, Aldo divulged that his early 2019 decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski, which occurred in his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “hurt a lot more” than his infamous, 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor in 2015.
Michael Bisping believes Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson will do 'huge numbers'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2019
Michael Bisping sees Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson pulling in big pay-per-view numbers for the UFC. Nurmagomedov is scheduled to put his UFC lightweight title on the line against Ferguson on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY. Fight fans are crossing their fingers as this matchup has been booked several times in the past but to no avail. Injuries and illnesses on both sides have prevented the bout from happening.
Chael Sonnen shares hilarious take on Tony Ferguson’s interview with Ariel Helwani
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2019
Chael Sonnen has taken a look on the brighter side of Tony Ferguson’s entertaining interview on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. Ferguson came out swinging during the interview with Helwani in one of his first public chats since it was confirmed that he’d be facing Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18 for the UFC Lightweight Championship. This is the fifth time that this fight has been booked, but for multiple reasons, it has never quite come to fruition.
Gray Maynard released by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard has been released by the UFC after spending over 12 years with the promotion. MMAjunkie.com first reported that Maynard and the UFC had parted ways.
Chael Sonnen lists potential welterweight opponents for Conor McGregor in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Conor McGregor has stated that he intends to fight three times in the year 2020. Chael Sonnen believes the Irish MMA star will make good on this plan. “Conor McGregor’s come out and said he wants to fight three times in 2020,” Sonnen said on his podcast. “If Conor McGregor has proved that he’s anything — anything — he’s a man of his word.
Jorge Masvidal to make MMA commentary debut at Combate Hidalgo
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal will make his mixed martial arts commentary debut this Saturday at Combate: Hidalgo. The main event of Combate: Hidalgo features former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz against rival Alberto Del Rio. Masvidal is set to commentate the fight alongside play-by-play commentator Max Bretos and UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena. The event takes place this Saturday night at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. It’s by far the biggest event in the history of Combate Americas and airs live on pay-per-view.
Glenn Robinson's daughters implore Colby Covington not to use father's death to promote UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
Colby Covington has shown little regard for those he offends with his trash-talking antics, and the family members of the deceased Blackzilians founder Glenn Robinson are no exception. Ahead of his upcoming UFC 245 title fight with Kamaru Usman, Covington took aim at the late Glenn Robinson who unfortunately died in 2018 of a suspected heart attack. Robinson was the man behind Blackzilians, the former training home of Usman.
Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor that fought Alvarez was possibly 'greatest talent that I've ever seen'
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Chael Sonnen has always held Conor McGregor in high regard. Yet Sonnen’s latest comments about McGregor show just how impressed he has been with the Irishman over the years. He says McGregor’s 2016 knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez was perhaps the greatest fighting talent he’s ever witnessed.
CB Dollaway leaves UFC, gets RIZIN title shot
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
After receiving a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), middleweight veteran CB Dollaway has parted ways with the UFC. Yet his fighting days are not over yet. On Tuesday, it was announced that Dollaway has signed with Japanese promotion RIZIN Fighting Federation. Dollaway will make his RIZIN debut on the promotion’s big New Years Eve show, where he’ll take on the reigning light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier argue over Conor McGregor
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier recently had a light-hearted argument over former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Training out of American Kickboxing Academy, the two UFC stars have become good friends in recent years. But, that doesn’t stop Cormier from speaking highly of fighters outside of the AKA walls — even those Nurmagomedov doesn’t like.
Israel Adesanya discusses the nickname he had before 'The Last Stylebender'
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2019
Before making his presence known as “The Last Stylebender”, Israel Adesanya actually went by a very different title. Adesanya has been all over the mixed martial arts world in the last few months following his monumental triumph over Robert Whittaker back at UFC 243. He made a statement in the main event of that card in Melbourne, finishing Whittaker within two rounds to become the UFC Middleweight Champion.
Ali Abdelaziz sends a warning to UFC fighters regarding USADA: 'It’s them or us!'
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz wants fighters to careful in their dealings with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Abdelaziz is the CEO of Dominance MMA. The company is responsible for a roster of MMA talent including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Frankie Edgar, Kamaru Usman, and Henry Cejudo (to name a few).
Dan Hooker promises fight "to the death" against Paul Felder
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker promises that he will “fight tooth and nail to the death” when he meets rival Paul Felder at UFC Auckland next year. The UFC recently announced that Hooker and Felder will headline UFC Fight Night 169, which is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The two have been talking plenty of trash to each other on social media the last few months and the UFC matchmakers decided they had to strike while the iron is hot and book the fight.
Anthony Smith provides update on return to action
Mike Pendleton - December 3, 2019
Former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony “Lionheart” Smith hasn’t been inside the Octagon since defeating Alexander Gustafsson in June of 2019, but there could be a return on the horizon for him. Hosting his weekly show MMA Tonight on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation, Smith discussed his looming return to the Octagon and how he could have good news within the coming weeks.