MMA News
Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2 set for Bellator Japan
Adam Martin - October 29, 2019
A rematch between former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson has been added to Bellator Japan. Bellator recently announced the rematch, which will serve as the co-main event on the Bellator Japan card, which takes place on December 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The fight will be contested at a catchweight of 160lbs.
Donald Cerrone says negotiations for Conor McGregor fight are 'looking good'
Adam Martin - October 29, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Donald Cerrone says that contract negotiations for a fight against UFC superstar Conor McGregor are ‘looking good’ and he expects something to get signed soon. McGregor announced last week that he is targeting a return to the Octagon at UFC 246 on January 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cerrone and Justin Gaethje are the two fighters who are under consideration to fight McGregor, and at this time it appears that Cerrone has the inside track to get the fight.
UFC rankings update: Ben Askren takes a tumble, Dominick Cruz exits
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Singapore card, and as expected, former ONE and Bellator champ Ben Askren has taken a tumble down the welterweight rankings after losing to Demian Maia in the main event. In victory, Maia has hiked up four spots to No. 6.
Nate Diaz slams rivals for 'anti-fighting'
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2019
Nate Diaz is one of the most entertaining fighters in the game, and he knows it. Unfortunately, Diaz does not think particularly highly of many of his peers. Ahead of his UFC 244 with Jorge Masvidal — one of the few men he does respect — Diaz took a shot at many of the other fighters that populate the UFC roster, criticizing them for fighting to win at the expense of entertainment.
Dan Hardy breaks down Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal
Harry Kettle - October 29, 2019
UFC commentators Dan Hardy and John Gooden have broken down the ins and outs of UFC 244’s fantastic main event between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. With just a few days remaining until the two popular welterweights square off at Madison Square Garden, the hype for the showdown is at an all-time high. Both men have unique and interesting styles, which is one of the primary reasons as to why it isn’t exactly surprising to see a “BMF” Championship being on the line for the winner.
Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima says he is better than the UFC’s Kamaru Usman
Natasha Hooper - October 29, 2019
Douglas Lima believes he is the best welterweight fighter in the world and that he would even KO UFC champion, Kamaru Usman. The Brazilian fighter defeated Rory Macdonald at Bellator 232, claiming the Bellator welterweight title and the Grand Prix prize of $1 million.
Nate Diaz only focused on 'BMF' belt: "I'm not fighting for no title, they're fighting for my title"
Mike Pendleton - October 28, 2019
With the ‘BMF’ title on the line in the main event of Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, the man who created the belt, says it’s the only belt he’s focused on. In a taped interview with Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Diaz discussed why the ‘BMF’ title matters most and why he gives it the most importance. For Nate Diaz, the fight against Jorge Masvidal is what the belt is all about, no matter what the UFC has their sights set on.
Douglas Lima on Ben Askren: "I don't see any hunger in him when he steps in there"
Mike Pendleton - October 28, 2019
Douglas Lima is once again the Bellator MMA welterweight champion and is also $1 million richer after defeating Rory MacDonald at Bellator 232. It was a tough day road through the Welterweight World Grand Prix for Lima to get his title back and while he’s back at the top, a former opponent of his is seeing his career go in the opposite direction. Back in 2012, after going on a three-fight winning streak to start his Bellator career, Lima would face then Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren for the championship, and it was “Funky” coming out victorious at Bellator 64.
Urijah Faber a massive underdog ahead of Petr Yan fight at UFC 245
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2019
Urijah Faber is an underdog for the second fight in a row. The UFC Hall of Famer beat Ricky Simon in his return from retirement by knockout in the first round. Now, at UFC 245 Urijah Faber will return to the Octagon to take on the surging contender, Petr Yan.
Nate Diaz: "I'll fight forever, I'm never going to retire."
Mike Pendleton - October 28, 2019
With the pre-fight USADA issues behind UFC 244, all focus shifts back to the main event headliner of Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal. While there are expected to be plenty of questions regarding USADA and the adverse findings in his test, Nate Diaz has never been afraid to speak his mind on all the hot topics surrounding the MMA world. In a taped interview with Ariel Helwani of ESPN that was filmed back in September, the topic of retirement was brought up, and Diaz wasn’t having it. During their conversation at Madison Square Garden about UFC 244, Helwani asked Diaz about his thoughts on retirement, which was shot down immediately.
Nate Diaz blasts USADA but admits he was never worried about test results
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2019
Nate Diaz has put USADA on blast. Last week, Diaz announced he was out of his fight against Jorge Masvidal due to being flagged by USADA. Yet, after sending out the note on Twitter, it was ruled the failed test was from a tainted supplement and he would be able to fight after all. But, until his name was cleared, he truly was not going to fight.
Ben Askren says retirement is 'definitely something' he's considering after Demian Maia loss
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2019
Ben Askren’s time in MMA may be over once again. Back in 2017, Askren retired from the sport after he defended his ONE Championship welterweight title. He said he had nothing else to prove as he wanted to show he was the best in the world.
Baby Slice's TKO win at Bellator 232 overturned to no contest
Mike Heck - October 28, 2019
Kevin Ferguson Jr., better known as Baby Slice, scored a short-notice victory at Bellator 232 over the weekend. That win is no more thanks to the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation. According to a report from MMA Fighting, his 38-second TKO win over Craig Campbell has been overturned to a no contest, as Campbell was fouled during the brief contest.
Tyron Woodley heaps praise on Israel Adesanya: 'It's hard to deny him'
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2019
Israel Adesanya is now the UFC middleweight champion and one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts — and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has taken notice. Speaking on TMZ’s Hollywood Beatdown, Woodley shared his thoughts on Adesanya.
Dustin Poirier shares 'the whole truth' about canceled Nate Diaz fight
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2019
Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz were expected to fight at UFC 230 in November of 2018. Regrettably, Poirier was forced out of the fight with an injury. At least, that’s what we were all initially told. Since that matchup, Poirier has suggested several times that it was Diaz, not him, that pulled out of the fight.
Leon Edwards claims UFC offered him fight against Tyron Woodley
Adam Martin - October 28, 2019
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards claims the UFC has offered him a fight against former champion Tyron Woodley at an upcoming event in January 2020. According to Leon Edwards, the UFC offered him a co-main event slot against Woodley at UFC 246. That card is expected to be headlined by UFC superstar Conor McGregor against either Donald Cerrone or Justin Gaethje.
Diego Sanchez responds to Demian Maia’s callout
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2019
Shortly after he defeated Ben Askren at UFC Singapore, welterweight grappling ace Demian Maia expressed interest in a fight with the veteran Diego Sanchez. “Diego Sanchez is somebody that has been calling me out for years,” Maia said. “It’s a veteran fight. If people like it, I can do it.”
Rory MacDonald's contract expired after Bellator 232
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2019
Rory MacDonald could soon be a free agent. The Canadian’s Bellator 232 fight with Douglas Lima, which he lost by unanimous decision, marked the final obligation on his latest contract with the Viacom-owned MMA promotion. Speaking to the media post-fight, MacDonald explained that his current Bellator contract is now expired, but that he’d be keen to re-sign with the promotion, particularly if they offer him a title shot opposite the new champion Lima. He and Lima, to remind, are now tied 1-1 across their two previous bouts, with a decision victory apiece, and would seemingly have a score to settle.