MMA News

Natasha Hooper - September 9, 2019

Jon Jones made an accurate prediction for the UFC 242 main event, but was rooting for Dustin Poirier in the run-up to Poirier’s lightweight championship opportunity against Khabib Nurmagomedov. The lightweight stars faced off at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. The undefeated champion Nurmagomedov was a clear favourite. So, it was no big surprise when he sealed the victory and submitted Poirier in the third round.

Natasha Hooper - September 8, 2019

Justin Gaethje is not backtracking on his controversial comments against Conor McGregor. Over the weekend, Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Dustin Poirier and defended his lightweight title. Conor McGregor used the opportunity to request a rematch against ‘The Eagle’, much to the dismay of Justin Gaethje. He responded to the Irish fighter online:

Cole Shelton - September 8, 2019

Ryan Bader was looking for the first title defense of his heavyweight belt when he took on Cheick Kongo in the main event of Bellator 226. Yet, he did not get to defend his title but did not lose it either. Instead, the fight was ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke from Bader. Now, after the fight, ‘Darth’ believes Kongo used the eye poke as the reason to get out of the scrap.

Adam Martin - September 8, 2019

The opening odds have been released for a potential title bout between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and No. 1 contender Tony Ferguson. The UFC has not yet made this fight official, but it’s expected to take place next after Nurmagomedov vanquished Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. Regardless, the sportsbooks opted to get a head start on things and opened up the odds for the fight early.

Thomas Taylor - September 8, 2019

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is a massive, international star. Nowhere his superstardom more massive, however, than in his native Dagestan, Russia. When he fights — more aptly, when he wins — the entire region seems to erupt in celebration.

Chris Taylor - September 8, 2019

Dustin Poirier collided with Khabib Nurmagomedov for the promotions undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. ‘The Diamond’ entered the UFC 242 headliner on a four-fight win streak. He had last fought Max Holloway for the promotions interim lightweight title at UFC 236, emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision. During his surge up the rankings, Dustin Poirier scored TKO wins over notable contenders Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez.

Thomas Taylor - September 8, 2019

Khabib Nurmagomedov has been chasing a fight with Georges St-Pierre for some time. That hasn’t changed after Nurmagomedov successfully defended his belt with a submission defeat of Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. ”Georges St-Pierre is great guy, great champion, great athlete,” Nurmagomedov said at the UFC 242 post-fight press conference (via MMA Mania). “He’s very good example for young kids. If he want to come back, if he feel hungry, if he feel he can improve his legacy with fight with me … and he can make 155, I am waiting for him. And I think maybe he like new belt? If he likes, I can give him, just only for one photo. But then he has to give me back this belt. But if he wants to fight? Welcome.”

Chris Taylor - September 8, 2019

Khabib Nurmagomedov improved his undefeated record to 28-0 last night in Abu Dhabi, submitting Dustin Poirier in the UFC 242 headliner. It was another dominant performance from ‘The Eagle’, who utilized his strong wrestling abilities to smother the now-former interim lightweight champion on route to the third round submission win.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

UFC analyst and podcast Joe Rogan reacted to the upcoming welterweight bout between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, which is set for Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The bout will headline UFC 244, with a special ‘BMF title’ on the line. Check out what Rogan had to say about the matchup in this video clip below.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

The UFC announced the bonus winners following the conclusion of UFC 242, and Khabib Nurmagomedov was among those collecting a $50,000 bonus check. Nurmagomedov finished Dustin Poirier in the third round of the main event to improve to 28-0 in his MMA career. Unsurprisingly, he won a bonus award for Performance of the Night for his vicious rear-naked choke finish of Poirier.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes picked up a huge TKO win over Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 242, and now he wants a piece of Junior dos Santos. “Razor” spoke to reporters following the event, and called his shot for his next opponent when asked what’s next for him.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega believes he would have finished Khabib Nurmagomedov if he had been put in the same spot as Dustin Poirier. For the most part, Nurmagomedov controlled Poirier for the majority of the pair’s three rounds up until the finish. But there was a point in the fight that Poirier did have the neck of Nurmagomedov and even attempted a guillotine choke, though ultimately Nurmagomedov popped out. Ortega believes that would have been the end of the fight if he had been the one who was in the cage with the champ.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

Cheick Kongo’s teammate Quinton “Rampage” Jackson posted a picture of his teammate’s injured eye following a disappointing conclusion to Bellator 226. Kongo’s fight against Ryan Bader ended with a No Contest in the first round after Bader was deemed to have accidentally poked his opponent in the eye, which led to the doctor stopping the fight. Some fans and media were critical of the end to the fight, believing it may have been a punch and not a poke that injured Kongo’s eye.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson took to social media to criticize Ryan Bader for the way his fight ended against Cheick Kongo at Bellator 226. The fight ended in the first round after Bader accidentally poked Kongo in the eye, which led to the doctor stopping the fight. It was declared a No Contest due to an accidental foul.

Adam D Martin - September 8, 2019

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Ryan Bader nearly got into a brawl following a disappointing end to Saturday night’s Bellator 226 event. With the Bellator heavyweight championship on the line, Bader and Cheick Kongo fought to a No Contest after Bader accidentally poked Kongo in the eye and the doctor stopped the fight when he couldn’t see. However, there was some controversy as many viewers and even the commentators believed it was a punch and not an eye poke that led to the damage in Kongo’s eye.

Chris Taylor - September 7, 2019

Ryan Bader put his heavyweight title on the line against Cheick Kongo in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 226 event in San Jose. Bader (27-5 MMA) had captured the promotions vacant heavyweight title this past January at Bellator 214, defeating MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko by first round knockout.

Chris Taylor - September 7, 2019

Ryan Bader puts his heavyweight title on the line against Cheick Kongo in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 226 event in San Jose. Bader (27-5 MMA) captured the promotions vacant heavyweight title this past January at Bellator 214, defeating MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko by first round knockout.

Adam Martin - September 7, 2019

Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg was introduced as the newest fighter on Bellator’s roster during Saturday night’s Bellator 226 event. The promotion also confirmed that Cyborg will be fighting Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd in her organizational debut. Bellator commentator “Big” John McCarthy revealed the promotion’s plans during an in-cage interview with Cris Cyborg, who signed with the Scott Coker-led organization this week after being cut last month by the UFC.