MMA News
Dana White calls Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson an ‘amazing trade’ for the UFC
Adam Martin - October 28, 2019
Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the infamous Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson trade between the UFC and ONE Championship. Replying to a fan on social media, UFC president Dana White called it an “amazing trade” for the UFC. It was one year ago when the UFC and ONE Championship made history with MMA’s first-ever trade. Headed to the UFC was former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren, while headed to ONE was former UFC flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson. It was a surprising move for both organizations, but one that ultimately made sense for both.
Nate Diaz arrives in New York City for UFC 244
Harry Kettle - October 28, 2019
UFC 244 headliner Nate Diaz has officially arrived in New York City ahead of his huge main event showdown against Jorge Masvidal this weekend. Diaz (20-11) will go head to head with Masvidal (34-13) with the BMF Championship being up for grabs at Madison Square Garden. The fight is widely considered to be one of the most highly anticipated encounters of the year in mixed martial arts, with both men riding a strong wave of momentum with three impressive wins between them in 2019.
Tyson Fury teases working with Conor McGregor for MMA run
Harry Kettle - October 28, 2019
Lineal heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has teased the idea of working with Conor McGregor ahead of a potential switch over to mixed martial arts. Fury, who has defeated Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin in 2019 to take his record to 29-0-1, is considered to be one of the busiest men in combat sports right now. The Englishman has been filming a reality TV show, is set to face Deontay Wilder in a 2020 rematch, and will be making his WWE debut at Crown Jewel later this week when he faces Braun Strowman in Saudi Arabia.
Rory MacDonald issues statement following title loss to Douglas Lima
Natasha Hooper - October 28, 2019
At Bellator 232 on Saturday, October 26, Rory MacDonald collided with Douglas Lima in the final bout it the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. The Canadian fighter beat Lima during their first matchup in January 2018, but he wasn’t as successful the second time around. Their second battle didn’t have as much action as their first matchup, but the welterweights endured a five-round war. After 25 minutes, Lima was declared the winner by unanimous decision and grabbed the belt and the $1 million prize for the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix.
Looking back on the Ben Askren-Demetrious Johnson trade one year later
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2019
On Oct. 27, 2018, the MMA world was shaken up as it was announced the UFC and ONE Championship made a trade. The Las Vegas-based promotion traded longtime flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, to the Singapore-based promotion for the former welterweight champion, Ben Askren. Right away, fans wondered who came out on top in this trade. The UFC was sending one of the greatest fighters of all time in Johnson for an undefeated Askren who could sell fights with his trash-talk. It seemed like a win-win for both fighters and promotions at the time. But, one year later, is it still a win-win?
Scott Coker says Lorenz Larkin is next for Douglas Lima
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that Lorenz Larkin is next in line for a title shot against new Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima. Coker was asked by the media following Bellator 232 who would get the next title shot against Douglas Lima, and the Bellator bossman confirmed that Lorenz Larkin is likely going to get a rematch against Lima.
PHOTO | Phil Baroni suffered a brutal cut during his recent fight in Thailand
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
Former UFC star Phil Baroni suffered a brutal cut during his recent muay Thai fight in Thailand. Phil Baroni, also known as “The New York Bad Ass,” took to social media to post a picture of the gnarly gash he received during his latest match.
Jason Knight has a message for Artem Lobov ahead of Bare Knuckle Fighting rematch
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
Former UFC featherweight Jason Knight sent a message to rival Artem Lobov before the two meet in a rematch at Bare Knuckle FC 9. Here’s the message Jason Knight sent to Artem Lobov on his Twitter.
Dillon Danis proclaims himself “the best grappler in MMA” following Ben Askren’s loss to Demian Maia
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
Bellator’s Dillon Danis has proclaimed himself to be the “best grappler in MMA” following Ben Askren’s submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Dillon Danis, who is always vocal on his social media channels, took to Twitter to issue his latest bold statement.
VIDEO | Ali Abdelaziz involved in another fighter altercation, this time with Bellator’s AJ Agazarm
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz was involved in another fighter altercation, this time with Bellator grappling wizard AJ Agazarm at this weekend’s Bellator 232 event. AJ Agazarm, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who made the transition to MMA this year. posted a video on his social media of Ali Abdelaziz swiping at his phone while he was taping him during a confrontation between the two.
Douglas Lima issues statement after winning Bellator welterweight Grand Prix
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
Douglas Lima has issued a statement after winning the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix after his unanimous decision win over Rory MacDonald at Bellator 232. Douglas Lima won a clear decision over MacDonald to re-capture the Bellator welterweight title for the third time as well as win the Grand Prix. “The Phenom” was also awarded a $1 million grand prize for winning the tournament.
Demian Maia issues classy statement following submission win over Ben Askren
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2019
UFC welterweight Demian Maia has issued a classy statement following his third-round submission victory over Ben Askren in the main event of UFC Singapore. Demian Maia, who is known as one of the most humble and respected fighters in MMA, took to social media to share some kind words for Askren after beating him in what turned out to be a very entertaining grappling match that won “Fight of the Night.” Maia also mentioned to Askren he would like to train with him someday.
Pros react to Rory MacDonald vs. Douglas Lima 2 at Bellator 232
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Rory MacDonald squared off with the man he defeated to win the title Douglas Lima in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 232 event. MacDonald (21-5-1 MMA) got to the Bellator welterweight grand prix finals (while retaining his title) by defeating Neiman Gracie and going to a majority draw with Jon Fitch.
Bellator 232 Results: Douglas Lima defeats Rory MacDonald (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald will face the man he defeated to win the title Douglas Lima in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 232 event. MacDonald (21-5-1 MMA) got to the Bellator welterweight grand prix finals by defeating Neiman Gracie and going to a majority draw with Jon Fitch.
Bellator 232 Results: Paul Daley stops Saad Awad in Round 2 (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Welterweight knockout artist Paul Daley will return to the cage against Saad Awad in tonight’s Bellator 232 co-main event. ‘Semtex‘ was initially slated to face Sabah Homasi at tonight’s event, however that bout was scrapped and Awad ultimately stepped up on short-notice.
VIDEO | So Yoel Romero actually is scared of something!
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
They say that everyone is afraid of something, and that theory holds true for feared UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero. A recent video surfaced on Twitter (courtesy of @Assaultz_) which showcased Romero’s very real fear of heights.
Jorge Masvidal wants Demian Maia to save his last fight for him
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2019
Jorge Masvidal wants a chance to run things back with Demian Maia following the Brazilians impressive submission victory over Ben Askren. Maia defeated Askren with a rear-naked choke submission (see that here) in the third round of today’s UFC Singapore event.
Gilbert Burns tells UFC not to cut Ben Askren so he can fight him instead
Adam Martin - October 26, 2019
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is pleading with the UFC matchmakers not to cut Ben Askren in the wake of his third-round submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC Singapore. Gilbert Burns and Ben Askren have spoken about a potential grappling superfight in the past, but Burns seems much more interested in facing Askren in the Octagon. After losing to Maia, Askren is now just 1-2 in the UFC and at a very real risk of being released. Burns hopes that doesn’t happen, at least until he gets a chance to put his hands on him.