MMA News
Francis Ngannou explains why Miocic rematch will be different
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
In early 2018, Francis Ngannou stepped into the Octagon to battle Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title. The widespread expectation — supported by the bout’s betting odds — was that Ngannou would come out on top in this fight. In the end, however, he was soundly outfought by the amply more experienced champion, losing a lopsided unanimous decision. Today, when Stipe Miocic is once again the heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has repositioned himself as the division’s top contender. A rematch between the two heavyweight stars seems like a foregone conclusion, it’s just a question of when.
Opinion: Nate Diaz and the rise of the antihero
Natasha Hooper - August 27, 2019
Nate Diaz is helping to usher in the dawn of a UFC era where the antihero reigns supreme. The Stockton native returned to the Octagon at UFC 241, following a three-year hiatus. Diaz silenced his naysayers by leading the fight and defeating Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. .
Islam Makhachev fires back at 'bum' Dillon Danis
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
On Monday, Conor McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis took a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev, keeping the beef between their two teams alive and well. https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1166006545391468546
Aljamain Sterling calls for interim bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan
Adam Martin - August 26, 2019
Knowing that UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo will be out of action for a while, top-ranked contender Aljamain Sterling is now eyeing a fight with Petr Yan for an interim belt. “The Funkmaster” spoke to Damon Martin at MMAFighting.com and said that with Cejudo likely fighting Joseph Benavidez for the UFC flyweight belt next, he doesn’t want to sit and wait around for him. That’s why he is targeting a fight against one of the division’s hottest fighters in Yan, and he wants an interim title on the line.
Jon Jones sends warm message after Daniel Cormier loses father to cancer
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
Late last week, former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier announced the tragic passing of his father. “Today I lost my hero to cancer, my father was the bravest, strongest, hardest working and most caring person I’ve ever known. Always the life of the party and made everyone he ever came in contact with feel good. I never could have imagined we would be going through this right now. All the lessons I wanna try and pass along I learned from my dad. You know its about the legacy we leave behind and my dads legacy will be one of just a great person, loving husband and father and friend to everyone.” Daniel Cormier wrote on Instagram. “If you’ve ever met Percy Benoit you’re better for it. We were able to see some amazing things pops and I hope you enjoyed the ride, I only wanted to make you proud. I love you pop, you were the strength of this family, now you get to rest. No more pain. Love you Dad #rip #cancersucks” – Daniel Cormier on Instagram.
Brendan Schaub says fans relate to Nate Diaz being 'screwed over' by UFC
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 26, 2019
Brendan Schaub has a theory for one of the reasons why fans gravitate towards Nate Diaz. Diaz has fight fans excited for a potential showdown with Jorge Masvidal. The Stockton native called out “Gamebred” after defeating Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. For many, UFC 241 solidified Diaz’s status as a true draw even without his rival Conor McGregor.
CB Dollaway accepts USADA sanction for using 'multiple prohibited substances'
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
CB Dollaway, a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 7 and a veteran of the UFC middleweight division, has been suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after “testing positive for multiple prohibited substances and using a prohibited method.” USADA revealed this unfortunate CB Dollaway news in an official statement.
Paige VanZant shares reasons for free agency plans
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
Paige VanZant has one fight left on her current UFC contract, and when that’s wrapped up, she plans on testing her value as a free agent. Speaking to Robin Black of DAZN ahead of last weekend’s Bellator 225 card VanZant divulged that her interest in free agency is due in part to a desire to fight on a card alongside her husband, Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford.
TUF 28 winner Juan Espino explains absence, gives timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - August 26, 2019
If you watched The Ultimate Fighter 28 you would know the two winners were Juan Espino and Macy Chiasson. Since winning it, Chiasson has fought twice and has her third fight booked. Juan Espino, meanwhile, has still yet to fight. He beat Justin Frazier at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November of 2018 and has been out of action since. There has been no news on when he will fight, and no details on whether he was hurt or on what was keeping him out of the Octagon.
Michael Bisping says Conor McGregor would be 'B-side' in Nate Diaz trilogy bout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 26, 2019
Michael Bisping believes Nate Diaz has surpassed Conor McGregor in terms of popularity in the fight game. Since his August 2016 rematch against McGregor, Diaz has been disputing the notion that he can’t draw outside of sharing the Octagon with McGregor. He’s been at odds with UFC president Dana White, who once claimed that Diaz isn’t a “needle mover.” Diaz changed those opinions at the conclusion of UFC 241. The event broke a live gate record for MMA cards in the state of California.
Mark De La Rosa is ready to make some noise in the flyweight division
Natasha Hooper - August 26, 2019
Mark De La Rosa is ready to up the ante as he faces off against Kai Kara-France at UFC Shenzhen. The former 135-pounder is moving down to flyweight for the second time to face Kara-France in China on Saturday, August 31. Despite losing his most recent fight to Alex Perez earlier this year, De La Rosa is feeling confident about his upcoming fight.
Dillon Danis targets Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
The beef between Team Conor McGregor and Team Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly alive and well. Nearly a year removed from McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s October, 2018 fight, which the latter won by submission, members of their respective entourages are still trading shots. The latest to do so is McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis, who called for a fight with Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev on Twitter. https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1166006545391468546
Multiple bouts made official for UFC Singapore
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
Multiple bouts have been made official for the upcoming UFC Singapore card, scheduled for October 26 in “The Lion City.” The most notable bout to be made official for the card is the main event, which will pit BJJ ace Demian Maia against wrestling savant Ben Askren in a crucial welterweight showdown. At a glance, this matchup between a Brazilian and an American might seem like a strange choice for the UFC Singapore main event, but Askren was the long-time welterweight champion for Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. He also trained and taught at the Singapore gym Evolve MMA, so he figures to be welcomed back as a hometown hero.
ONE Championship releases stacked lineup for ONE: Century double-header
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
On October 13, ONE Championship will promote its 100th event, aptly titled ONE: Century. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently divulged that this landmark event, which will go down in Tokyo, Japan, will actually be composed of two full-scale events.
Frankie Edgar responds to callout from Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - August 26, 2019
Last week, former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor partook in his first interview in quite awhile. In this interview, the Irish star named multiple potential opponents for his anticipated return to the cage. One of those opponents was former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar, who recently announced his intention to move to bantamweight. “Who else is top of the list? Frankie Edgar is also up there on the list because he has similarities to Khabib,” McGregor said of Edgar. “He runs on the back foot and shoots on the single leg. I want these sort of similar bouts. And also, Frankie has been very respectful. He’s always respectful. He said, ‘I want to tell my his grandkids I fought Conor McGregor’, one day.
Chael Sonnen puts the UFC flyweight division on blast
Thomas Taylor - August 25, 2019
Chael Sonnen is not impressed by the fighters in the UFC flyweight division. Sonnen says that, after nearly finding itself on the chopping block, the UFC flyweight division was saved by its reigning champion Henry Cejudo, who helped renew interest in it. Unfortunately, Sonnen believes that the other fighters in the division have learned nothing from this experience.
Aljamain Sterling puts the UFC bantamweight division on blast
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling put the rest of the promotion’s top 135lbers on blast in a social media post on Sunday. “The Funkmaster” called out nearly everyone in the top 10 in a humorous Instagram post. Check out what Aljo said below.
Sergei Kharitonov wants Bellator heavyweight title shot next
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2019
Fresh off of a brutal knockout win over Matt Mitrione in the main event of Bellator 225, veteran slugger Sergei Kharitonov is now eyeing the promotion’s heavyweight title for his next fight. “The Paratrooper” spoke to reporters in a scrum following his second-round TKO win, and said he wants to fight the winner of the upcoming heavyweight title fight between champion Ryan Bader and challenger Cheick Kongo.