MMA News
Leon Edwards argues Jorge Masvidal doesn't deserve title shot
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal knocked former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren out in five seconds at UFC 239, he cemented himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC welterweight division — perhaps even the top contender outright. Yet rising British contender Leon Edwards, who fights Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio this weekend, doesn’t believe Masvidal has earned a title shot just yet. “I never held Askren in high regard anyway,” Edwards told MMA Fighting, downplaying Masvidal’s victory. “He just shouted his mouth off the get to where he’s at. He’s an amateur on the feet, I’ve watched him hit pads and it’s weird; even his shots are slow. He came in, he talked his way up into the position he was in and then he dipped his head into a knee.
Michael Page returns at Bellator Dublin
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Michael Page will soon return to the Bellator cage. The Brit will return to action at Bellator Dublin on September 27 at the 3 Arena, where he’ll take on Richard Kiely in the card’s co-main event.
Dana White explains why Georges St-Pierre won't get lightweight title shot
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Georges St-Pierre is retired. That being said, a large portion of the MMA community is still clinging to the hope that the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion will eventually dust off his gloves and return to the Octagon — perhaps in pursuit of a third title against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC President Dana White says that won’t be happening, as St-Pierre didn’t hold up his end of the deal after battling Michael Bisping for the middleweight title in 2017. He doesn’t seem to trust the Canadian after this incident.
Max Holloway believes a future fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov is still possible
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2019
Max Holloway was set to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, this after Tony Ferguson had to withdraw last minute due to an injury. There, the featherweight champion would have been moving up in weight to make his UFC lightweight debut. However, the fight did not come to fruition as the commission stopped the Hawaiian from cutting weight. Since then, Max Holloway went back down to featherweight and defended his title against Brian Ortega at UFC 231. He then got another chance to fight at lightweight at UFC 236 when he took on Dustin Poirier for the promotions interim lightweight title. Had Holloway emerged victorious, he would have once again been in line for a fight with Nurmagomedov. But, the featherweight king lost the bout and is now headed back to 145-pounds for a fight with Frankie Edgar.
Abel Trujillo charged with felony sexual exploitation of a child and felony obscenity
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Serious criminal charges have been laid against former UFC lightweight contender Abel Trujillo. According to a report from TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Trujillo has been charged with felony sexual exploitation of a child and felony obscenity. The report says that Trujillo is currently being held on a $10,000 bond in Castle Rock, Colorado.
UFC rankings update: Urijah Faber back on the bantamweight ladder
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 16, 2019
The latest UFC rankings update for July 16, 2019 is in. In the wake of UFC Sacramento, Urijah Faber has returned to the bantamweight ladder. Faber hadn’t competed since Dec. 2016. Many expected “The California Kid” to ride off into the sunset and enjoy retirement as a UFC Hall of Famer. Instead, he returned and stopped Ricky Simon in 46 seconds. In the process, Faber has knocked Simon off the 135-pound rankings.
Tito Ortiz says he would grant Ryan Bader a rematch
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Perhaps one of the most surprising upsets in UFC history took place back in 2011 at UFC 132. At the time, Ryan Bader was a young, hungry, up-and-coming light heavyweight who had recently won The Ultimate Fighter. Tito Ortiz, meanwhile, was a veteran on his last legs and seemed destined for retirement. Or so we thought. Defying the odds, Ortiz finished Bader by submission that night in what remains to this day arguably the most impressive victory of Ortiz’ career. While it was an embarrassing night for Bader, he has since transformed himself into an elite light heavyweight and heavyweight in MMA, currently holding both belts in Bellator. Ortiz, meanwhile, still remains relevant to this day despite being in his mid 40s.
Who did it better: Jorge Masvidal or Kid Yamamoto
Natasha Hooper - July 16, 2019
Jorge Masvidal broke the UFC record for the fastest KO in history on July 6, snapping Ben Askren’s undefeated streak with a brutal flying knee. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” anticipated a takedown attempt from Askren and counteracted “Funky” with a flying knee. Askren was knocked out cold, and Masvidal was quick to bask in the glory of his swift victory. The fight ended officially at the five second mark of round 1. However, Masvidal believes if the referee had intervened sooner, the fight would have finished within 2 or 3 seconds.
Jon Jones responds to Corey Anderson following comments about crack and weed smoke
Christopher Taylor - July 16, 2019
UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones was not impressed by the recent comments made by perennial division contender Corey Anderson. ‘Beastin 25/8’ was a recent guest on the Slip n Dip Podcast where he seemingly attacked Jones’ past with the following statement.
Dana White details his plans for current ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
After Urijah Faber knocked out Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento, he called for a fight against UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and that potential matchup is the talk of the MMA world right now. However, Cejudo is not just the UFC bantamweight champion. He is also the UFC flyweight champion, and UFC president Dana White hopes he defends his 125lbs title next.
Jorge Masvidal will only accept two opponents for his next fight!
Chris Taylor - July 16, 2019
Jorge Masvidal scored arguably this biggest win of his career earlier this month, defeating former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren by way of knockout. ‘Gamebred’ set a record for the ‘fastest knockout in his history’ with the win, as he needed on 5-seconds to put an end to Askren’s undefeated streak.
Is Darren Till heading to the middleweight division?
Mike Heck - July 16, 2019
Ever since Darren Till missed weight for his fight with Stephen Thompson last May, the questions began on whether or not “The Gorilla” should make the move from welterweight to middleweight. Since then, Till has had two more appearances at 170-pounds — including an opportunity at the UFC welterweight title — in which he was finished in the second round of both fights. According to an Instagram post from Till late Monday night, it seems like a move to the 185-pounds has gone a bit beyond the discussion stage.
Corey Anderson has a message for UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - July 15, 2019
Corey Anderson (12-4 MMA) is ready and willing to test his skills against reigning UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. The surging 205-pound contender, Anderson, has won three straight bouts and feels like the time is perfect for a fight with ‘Bones’.
Artem Lobov has a message for 'fight fans' who watch combat sports illegally
Christopher Taylor - July 15, 2019
Artem Lobov earned arguably the biggest win of his combat sports career last month, defeating Paulie Malignaggi via unanimous decision at Bare Knuckle FC 6. The fight, which took place on pay-per-view, sparked a lot of interest from both the boxing and mixed martial arts communities.
Greg Hardy says he’ll be the greatest combat sports heavyweight of all-time
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2019
Former Dallas Cowboy Greg Hardy has some lofty goals for his combat sports career. Although he is only five fights into his MMA career, the former NFL pro bowler is already eyeing a transition into the boxing scene. But, it would not be full-time, rather he says he would transition between MMA and boxing fights.
Urijah Faber says Henry Cejudo first called him out 10 years ago
Adam Martin - July 15, 2019
When Henry Cejudo called out Urijah Faber following his TKO win over Marlon Moraes at UFC 238, we assumed it was the first time he called him out. Not so fast, says Faber, who returned the favor by calling out Cejudo following his upset win over Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento. According to the UFC Hall of Famer, the bad blood between these two goes way back. The former WEC champ says that Cejudo vs. Faber is a fight a decade in the making.
UFC Sacramento salaries: Urijah Faber leads payouts
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2019
Urijah Faber was well compensated for his return to the cage, which co-headlined the UFC Sacramento card over the weekend. “The California Kid” pocketed $340,000 for first-round knockout of red hot prospect Ricky Simon. This was his first fight paycheck since late 2016, when he retired after a decision defeat of Brad Pickett.
Breaking | 'The Korean Zombie' and Brian Ortega targeted to throw down in Mexico
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2019
The UFC is headed back to Mexico City on September 21, and the promotion will reportedly be bringing along some awesome featherweight action, as former title challengers Brian Ortega and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung are being targeted to throw down on the card. This exciting plan was first reported by BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor.