MMA News
Justin Gaethje thinks Conor McGregor is a 'coward' for wanting to fight Frankie Edgar
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2019
Justin Gaethje doesn’t like the idea of Conor McGregor fighting Frankie Edgar. The Irishman recently revealed that he likes the respect the former lightweight champion, Edgar has shown. He also believes it is a good test for his takedown defense in hopes of getting a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk still plans on making weight for UFC Tampa
Adam Martin - October 9, 2019
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk was reported earlier today to be having problems making weight, which could lead to the cancellation of her main event fight this Saturday against Michelle Waterson at UFC Tampa. But according to Jedrzejczyk herself, she still plans on making the weight.
Jason Knight plans to put Artem Lobov to sleep at BKFC 9
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2019
Jason Knight is confident he will win his newly announced rematch against Artem Lobov. The two will run it back on Nov. 16 at BKFC 9 following a fantastic fight at BKFC 5 that went to the judge’s scorecards. Jason Knight called for this fight earlier this year, and is ecstatic it is happening even though he still believes he won the first fight.
Robert Whittaker eyes early 2020 return following UFC 243 title loss
Mike Heck - October 9, 2019
Robert Whittaker is doubling down on his post-fight interview following his middleweight title loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243: he’s not going anywhere and already has a return timetable in mind. Whittaker had his nine-fight winning streak snapped by the surging Adesanya on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. “The Reaper” came out with a very aggressive game plan and the fight finished via second round knockout for the new undisputed middleweight champion.
Thiago Santos wants Jon Jones when he returns, no tune-up fight necessary
Adam Martin - October 9, 2019
Top-ranked light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos says that he wants a rematch with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones when he returns to the Octagon in 2020. He says a tune-up fight is not necessary. Santos spoke to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com and said that he desires a rematch with Jones, who edged out a controversial split decision victory at UFC 239 this past July to defend his belt. Many felt that Santos should have got the nod, and he badly wants the rematch to prove he’s the super fighter.
Opening odds released for Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya
Adam Martin - October 9, 2019
The opening odds have been released for a potential superfight between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The online sportsbook Bovada opened the odds for the potential matchup. Here they are, courtesy of BestFightOdds.com.
Report | Joanna Jedrzejczyk weight-cut woes put UFC Tampa main event in jeopardy
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
This weekend’s UFC Tampa card was supposed to be headlined by a strawweight showdown between top-ranked contenders Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson. Regrettably, it sounds as though this fight could be done for. According to Raphael Marinho of Brazilian publication Combate, Jedrzejczyk will not make the strawweight’s 116-pound limit for the fight. Waterson, in turn, has reportedly refused to accept a fight with Jedrzejczyk if she is unable to make the contracted weight.
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.
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.
Israel Adesanya laughs off Jon Jones' 'nerd' comment as feud continues
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has laughed off the retort of Jon Jones as he focuses his attention on defending the undisputed title against Paulo Costa. Adesanya is still basking in the glory of his triumph over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 this past weekend as he was able to unify the championship in front of more than 57,000+ fans in Melbourne, Australia. It marked the crowning moment for the Nigerian-New Zealander who first stepped foot into a UFC cage back in February 2018.
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).
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.”
Ben Askren believes a win over Demian Maia gets him top-ranked opponent
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Ben Askren is looking to return to the win column in the main event of UFC Singapore when he takes on Demian Maia. Askren, of course, is coming off of a five-second flying knee knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. The loss was his first as a pro and sent him down the welterweight rankings and out of the title conversation. Yet, ‘Funky’ believes a win over Maia should earn him a top-ranked opponent.
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.
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.