MMA News
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.
Weili Zhang denied US visa, presidential candidate offers to help
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2019
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has confirmed that her request for a visa to enter the United States has been rejected. Zhang (20-1) became the queen of the strawweights on August 31 when she defeated Jessica Andrade in just 42 seconds to become the first ever Chinese-born champion in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was a monumental moment for the development of mixed martial arts in Asia, and it was seen by many as a turning point for Weili’s star power within the sport.
Israel Adesanya fires back at "jealous" Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya has responded to fellow UFC champion Jon Jones, this after ‘Bones’ claimed ‘Stylebender’ was lacking the confidence to fight him. Adesanya (18-0 MMA) defeated Robert Whittaker via second round TKO in the headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 243 event in Australia to become the promotions undisputed middleweight world champion.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa targeted for March PPV in Las Vegas
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya will have his first title defense against Paulo Costa this March in Las Vegas. Sources told BJPENN.com the two camps are in preliminary talks and a date has been agreed upon. The UFC flew Paulo Costa out to Australia to watch the fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, where following the fight they started negotiations.
Conor McGregor takes a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov one year after UFC 229
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2019
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has taken a shot at his UFC 229 opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov, one year after their iconic Lightweight Championship clash in Las Vegas. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since that infamous night at T-Mobile Arena, has been heavily linked with a return to the Octagon ever since he was defeated by The Eagle via fourth round submission.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor lacks morality and manners, hasn't earned title shot
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said that Conor McGregor hitting an elderly man shows that he lacks morality and manners and he doesn’t believe he has earned a title shot. “The Eagle” was interviewed by reporters in Russia and was asked his honest thoughts on McGregor. Here’s what the champ said via RT.
Chael Sonnen reacts to Michael Bisping's prosthetic eye
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2019
Chael Sonnen has praised Michael Bisping’s toughness and ability to overcome adversity. Bisping surprised fight fans when he popped out his prosthetic eye during an edition of his Believe You Me podcast. For many, it was their first time knowing that Bisping had a fake eye. Back in Dec. 2018, “The Count” told Joe Rogan that he had a prosthetic eye after dealing with several issues stemming from a detached retina suffered in his 2013 bout with Vitor Belfort.
Edson Barboza's manager says Paul Felder has agreed to trilogy
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Edson Barboza’s manager Alex Davis says that rival Paul Felder has agreed to a trilogy fight after their controversial split decision outcome at UFC 242. Felder won a split decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 27-30 in his favor. The fact that opposing judges had the fights 30-27 in favor of each fighter was very concerning.
Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto Del Rio set for December 7
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Earlier this year, Combate Americas laid out plans to promote a fight between former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and pro wrestler turned Combate Americas exec Alberto Del Rio. That fight now has an official date.
Opinion: The UFC should let fighters get creative with their walkouts more often
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya did something not many UFC fighters have done at UFC 243 — and I’m not talking about beating Robert Whittaker, as impressive as that was. Instead, I’m referring to his walk to the cage which, in an absurdly rare twist, actually featured a degree of flavor and originality. For whatever reason, the fun-killers in UFC boardroom have historically shown a complete reluctance to let fighters make their walkouts even remotely interesting. Sure, there was the time Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes walked out to live performances from Sinead O’Connor and Aaron Lewis respectively. Former UFC fighters James Te Huna and Tom Lawlor have also had a few fun walkouts. But as a general rule, a UFC fighter’s walkout is little more than a trip from Point A to Point B set to some music that, in some cases, wasn’t even that fighter’s choice.
Chris Weidman believes he can 'skip the rankings' and fight Jon Jones next
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman makes his light heavyweight debut next weekend in the main event of UFC Boston against top-ranked contender Dominick Reyes. It’s a huge opportunity for Weidman, and he knows it. According to Weidman, a win over Reyes would immediately catapult him into the top-five and get him closer to a matchup against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones Weidman spoke to UFC Unfiltered recently and said he believes a win over Reyes would allow him to skip the line and get a matchup against Jones sooner than expected.
Israel Adesanya impressed by Jared Cannonier: 'I like his style'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya heaped praise upon surging contender Jared Cannonier, saying he has been impressed by Cannonier’s quick rise up the middleweight rankings. “The Last Stylebender” was asked by reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference what other middleweight contenders impress him, and Adesanya immediately singled out Cannonier as someone who expects to defend his belt against in the near future.
Cain Velasquez removed from USADA testing pool, UFC rankings
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been officially removed from both the USADA testing pool and the UFC rankings. The moves are an indication that Velasquez is done with MMA, at least for the time being. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion recently made an appearance on WWE Smackdown, putting the pain on former Octagon rival Brock Lesnar.
Jimi Manuwa makes prediction for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
For a time, Jimi Manuwa and Daniel Cormier were heated rivals in the UFC light heavyweight division. Regrettably, the pair never got the chance to share the cage and likely never will, as Manuwa has since retired, and Cormier has hiked up to the heavyweight division. Much of Cormier’s time in the heavyweight division has been consumed by a rivalry with Stipe Miocic. The pair are tied 1-1 across two previous title fights, with Cormier winning the first encounter by first-round knockout, and Miocic winning the rematch, which occurred at UFC 241 in August, by fourth-round TKO.
Jared Cannonier: Fight with Yoel Romero 'puts me right up there' in middleweight title picture
Mike Heck - October 7, 2019
Jared Cannonier went from rising middleweight fighter on the UFC roster to world title contender in just under six minutes last month at UFC Copenhagen. After defeating Jack Hermansson, Cannonier sees himself mixing things up with the likes of Yoel Romero, Kelvin Gastelum, Darren Till, or anyone blocking his path to a title shot. “Killa Gorilla” finished Hermansson via second-round TKO in the main event of the UFC’s trip to Denmark. While it was one of the biggest wins of his career — snapping the four-fight winning streak of Hermansson — Cannonier is already back to normal life as Dad.
Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker rematch: 'I'll see you again'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC Tampa | Michelle Waterson believes win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk earns her next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Michelle Waterson is calling it the biggest fight of her career. In the main event of UFC Tampa, she is taking on former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and the winner could very well be getting the next title shot.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk scolds Colby Covington: ‘You shouldn’t s**t in your gym’
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Colby Covington has alienated many of his stablemates at American Top Team, and that includes former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Jedrzejczyk gave her thoughts on Covington during a recent interview with James Lynch of theScore.