MMA News

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

Mackenzie Dern made her return to the Octagon at UFC Tampa over the weekend, just months after giving birth to her first child. Regrettably for Dern and her team, this comeback didn’t go as planned, as she lost a unanimous decision to her opponent Amanda Ribas. This loss to Ribas marked Dern’s first loss as a professional mixed martial artist.

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

Cody Garbrandt has lost his last three fights, all by way of knockout. The first two of those setbacks came at the hands of former champ TJ Dillashaw, while the third and most recent came courtesy of Pedro Munhoz. Since this trio of knockout losses, he’s been taking some time off and recovering from injuries.

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

Robbie Lawler was expected to battle Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 245, but unfortunately, Ponzinibbio has been forced out of the matchup with a health issue. “Platinum” Mike Perry is hoping to step in and replace the injured Argentinian against Lawler. “Absolutely, I wanted that three years ago, two and a half something like that. If Robbie Lawler would grace me with his name on his contract, let’s go bro,” Mike Perry said backstage at Saturday’s UFC Tampa card. “Let’s put on a show, we are going to throw hands. It ain’t going to be any of that wrestling shit. I might mix it up on you, I might try to change levels, shoot a single leg. Take you down, punch you a little bit make you disorientated, or I might just hold tight and box.”

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has decided to hang up the gloves and pursue a pro wrestling career with WWE. Daniel Cormier, his long-time training partner and another former UFC champ, is sad to see Velasquez go, but is simultaneously very happy for him. “It’s a sad day when Cain Velasquez retires. But I know that he is doing something that he loves,” Cormier told MMA Fighting recently. “I remember watching him at [WWE] Elimination Chamber and you can see that this was something that he could love, I am not sure he ever fell for something faster, well except for when he met [his wife] Michelle.”

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

Over the weekend, on the main card of UFC Tampa, Cub Swanson defeated Kron Gracie by decision. Gracie, however, did not agree with this result. He thinks he should have been named the winner. “I won that fight,” Gracie said on Instagram shortly after his loss (via MMA Fighting).

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

UFC welterweight James Vick has provided fans with an update following his brutal KO loss to Niko Price at Saturday night’s UFC Tampa event. Vick (13-5 MMA) suffered his fourth loss in a row at last night’s event, this after being struck with a nasty upkick from the aforementioned Niko Price in the opening round.

Adam Martin - October 13, 2019

A Reddit user got a tattoo with the initials of light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux “OSP” on it after his latest Von Flue choke victory at UFC Copenhagen. Reddit user Ombliguitoo said he lost a bet that Saint Preux wouldn’t finish Michal Oleksiejczuk with a Von Flue choke. If he lost the bet, he would have to tattoo the initials OSP on his buttocks. Much like Jon Anik when he lost a bet that Nate Diaz wouldn’t beat Conor McGregor, the Reddit user followed through and actually got the tattoo.

Adam Martin - October 13, 2019

What’s next for the winners of Saturday night’s UFC Tampa card? We take a look in the latest edition of Playing Matchmaker. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Weili Zhang

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will fight Paulo Costa next, and he likes a future Jon Jones matchup. Speaking to TMZ, White confirmed the UFC is working on booking Adesanya vs. Costa, but he admits that he is very intrigued by an Adesanya vs. Jones superfight.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

Former UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is rumored to be returning to the Octagon as a heavyweight. He even recently said he wanted to fight Francis Ngannou. But speaking to Brendan Schaub on Below the Belt, Johnson said he would be willing to cut down to 205lbs to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Here’s what “Rumble” said.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

ONE Championship star Brandon Vera has issued a statement following his second-round TKO loss to Aung La N Sang at ONE: Century. Vera was finished in the second round to mark the end of a thrilling battle between the two men for the ONE light heavyweight title. It was an amazing fight that drew praise from fans all over the world. Despite the loss, Vera’s stock arguably rose in defeat.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson snapped his four-fight losing streak with a decision win over Kron Gracie at UFC Tampa. Now he’s eyeing a rematch with Doo Ho Choi. Speaking to reporters backstage following UFC Tampa, Swanson was asked if he would be interested in a rematch against “The Korean Superboy.” The two fought back in December 2016 at UFC 206 in an incredible fight that won many accolades including “Fight of the Night” and the 2016 “Fight of the Year.” Swanson believes fans would love to see a rematch between the two, and he’s open to running it back.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

UFC women’s strawweight contender Michelle Waterson broke down in tears following her unanimous decision loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Speaking to reporters backstage after the event, Waterson couldn’t hold back the tears when she discussed the disappointment of losing the biggest fight of her UFC career to date.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

UFC welterweight Niko Price is quickly becoming a fan favorite for his creative and exciting finishes. It’s no wonder that Price is so exciting to watch. After all, “The Hybird” says that he tries to model his game after MMA legend Nick Diaz. Speaking to reporters backstage after his incredible upkick KO over James Vick at UFC Tampa, Price was asked if he’ll be watching the main event at UFC 244 between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. Price said he’s excited for that fight, and then gave praise to Nate’s older brother Nick for helping inspire his performances inside the Octagon.

Adam D Martin - October 13, 2019

Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk put on a dominant performance against Michelle Waterson in the main event of UFC Tampa, earning a lopsided unanimous decision. She did so despite suffering a nasty foot injury early in the fight. According to Jedrzejczyk, she broke her foot in the second round but managed to go the full 25 minutes with a tough Waterson anyways. Here’s what the former champ told reporters in her post-fight press conference about the injury.

Tom Taylor - October 13, 2019

One of the many highlights of Sunday’s ONE: Century double-header was a heavyweight showdown between former UFC talent Arjan Bhullar and former Cage Warriors heavyweight champion Mauro Cerilli. It was a razor close fight that unfurled almost exclusively on the feet, despite Bhullar’s Olympic-level wrestling accolades. And in the end, it was the Indian-Canadian that won the fight, capturing a hard-fought unanimous decision win for a successful ONE debut.

Tom Taylor - October 12, 2019

Christian Lee is the ONE lightweight champ, but many fans expected him to lose his short-notice fight with Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev at ONE: Century – Part 1 in Tokyo on Sunday afternoon. Lee happily silenced his doubters by battering Dagi to a unanimous decision victory.

Tom Taylor - October 12, 2019

Angela Lee and Xiong Jing Nan put on one hell of a show in the main event of ONE Championship’s debut on TNT. Given the thrilling nature of their first fight, which Xiong won by TKO, that should come as no surprise. After four razor close rounds that saw Lee control the action on the mat, and Xiong pummel the atomweight champion on the feet, Lee put a decisive end to the contest late in the fifth round.