MMA News
Max Holloway is not done at lightweight
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was unsuccessful in his recent lightweight debut, giving up a hard-fought decision to Dustin Poirier. Despite this setback, he’s not done in the division. Speaking to MMA Fighting this week, the featherweight king divulged that he has every intention of fighting at lightweight again in the future — and perhaps in even heavier divisions.
Dan Hooker jokingly dismisses Daniel Cormier's matchmaking, DC responds
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker and former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier have a difference of opinion when it comes to who Hooker should face next inside the Octagon. The Kiwi star was able to defeat Al Iaquinta at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia to establish himself as one to watch at 155 pounds. The next natural step would be for him to face someone higher up in the rankings, but with Raging Al fighting down the rankings to face Hooker, a lot of fans believe Dan should be doing the very same thing.
Kelvin Gastelum believes Robert Whittaker was ‘disappointing’ at UFC 243
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has opened up about Robert Whittaker’s performance against Israel Adesanya at UFC 243, calling it ‘disappointing’. Gastelum was speaking to MMAFighting during the recent Dominance MMA media day event as he gears up to face Darren Till at UFC 244 in New York City. The Ultimate Fighter 17 winner is coming off the back of his own defeat to The Last Stylebender which took place back at UFC 236 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Frankie Edgar on Conor McGregor fight: 'He can make the call'
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor recently expressed interest in a fight with former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. While Edgar plans to drop down to the bantamweight division, he has said that he’d be willing to delay those plans to fight McGregor in a heavier division. Edgar reaffirmed that feeling at Tuesday’s Dominance MMA Media Day. That being said, it doesn’t sound like he plans to wait around while McGregor deliberates.
Fedor Emelianenko, 'Rampage' set to collide in Japan
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
On December 29, Bellator MMA will make its debut in Japan. One of the highlights of this event will be a showdown between MMA legends Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Fedor Emelianenko. This news was announced at a joint press conference between Bellator and RIZIN Fighting Federation early on Wednesday morning (Wednesday night in Japan).
Dana White trashes 'complete moron' Oscar De La Hoya
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
The beef between UFC President Dana White and Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar De La Hoya is alive and well. Days after De La Hoya claimed that he’d knock White out in a boxing match, White has responded in venomous fashion. He did so in an interview with Sirius XM (via World Boxing News):
Mauro Cerilli determined to spoil Arjan Bhullar's ONE debut
Alfredo Zullino - October 9, 2019
2019 hasn’t been a great year for MMA in Italy, as most of the Italian fighters signed to the biggest international promotions haven’t been able to bring victories home. Of a total of 22 fights, Italian athletes have only won 6 of them. One of those winners was Mauro Cerilli (13-3; 1-1 ONE 1-1), former Cage Warriors heavyweight title-holder and current ONE Championship heavyweight contender.
Anthony "Rumble" Johnson open to fighting Francis Ngannou
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson told the media on Tuesday that he is targeting an April 2020 return to the Octagon as a heavyweight. He also said that when he comes back he is open to fighting top-ranked Francis Ngannou. Johnson was one of a number of fighters at the Dominance MMA media day in Los Angeles. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto asked Johnson if he is interested in fighting Ngannou, who is currently looking for an opponent. “Rumble” said yes, he is open to fighting “The Predator.”
Max Holloway 'not interested' in Conor McGregor rematch right now
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Conor McGregor has called out a bevy of fighters including featherweight champion, Max Holloway. The two fought back in 2013 in what was McGregor’s second UFC fight and the Irishman won by decision. Since then, both became UFC champions and lately, Max Holloway has been taking subtle jabs at McGregor. For example, he went on a Jameson whiskey tour and saying it’s the best Irish whiskey.
Anthony Johnson shares timeframe from UFC return
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson recently announced his intention to end his retirement and return to the Octagon — as a heavyweight. Speaking at media day hosted by management outfit Dominance MMA on Tuesday, Johnson shared a rough timeframe for his return to the cage. He says he’s hoping to fight around April of the coming year.
Jon Jones roasts 'f**king nerd' Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
The beef between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya continues to sizzle. On Monday afternoon, Adesanya appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, where he sounded off on Jones.
Hector Lombard signs with BKFC
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the upstart organization bringing bare knuckle scraps to the masses, has signed another high-profile MMA veteran: Hector Lombard. Lombard will compete in BKFC’s 185-pound middleweight division. His debut is not yet scheduled.
Justin Gaethje tells Conor Mcgregor 'go away or fight'
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has sent a message to former champ Conor McGregor: “go away or fight.” “The Highlight” was joined by his manager Ali Abdelaziz, UFC double champ Henry Cejudo and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at the TMZ Studios in Los Angeles recently. Gaethje was asked by TMZ’s reporters if a McGregor fight will happen.
Dan Hooker tells Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier 'one of you have to fight me'
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker put Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje on blast, telling both fighters that one of them will have to fight him next. “The Hangman” shared the message on his Twitter. Here’s what he said.
Former Bellator fighter William Joplin dies from cancer
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
Former Bellator fighter William Joplin has passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his family. He was 41. Joplin’s sister Shelley shared an update on his GoFundMe page which indicated he passed away on Tuesday morning.
UFC Tampa | Eryk Anders plans on beating Gerald Meerschaert in 'devastating fashion'
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Eryk Anders is back to middleweight following a brief stint at light heavyweight. When he makes his return to 185 pounds at UFC Tampa this Saturday, Gerald Meerschaert will be standing across from him. Although Anders is coming off of a knockout win at light heavyweight last time out, he has a simple reason for moving back to middleweight.
UFC 243 medical suspensions: Al Iaquinta facing long absence
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Over the weekend, the UFC returned to our screens with the action-packed UFC 243 card in Melbourne, Australia. The card was topped by a middleweight title fight between undisputed champion Robert Whittaker and interim champion Israel Adesanya. In the end, Adesanya became the UFC’s one true middleweight king with a second-round stoppage of Whittaker.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyrone Spong on the verge of collapse due to failed drug test
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2019
Matchroom Boxing managing director Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the scheduled Tyrone Spong vs. Oleksandr Usyk showdown is in jeopardy following an adverse finding in one of Spong’s recent drug tests. Spong (14-0) and Usyk (16-0) were set to go head to head at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois this weekend in what would’ve marked Oleksandr’s official move up to the heavyweight division. The transition has been highly anticipated for a few years now, with Usyk’s swan song as a cruiserweight coming last November when he knocked out Tony Bellew in Manchester.