MMA News
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.
So about that Ben Askren for Demetrious Johnson trade…
Jordy McElroy - July 16, 2019
The shuttering quake from comatose welterweight star Ben Askren crashing to the canvas in record-breaking time at UFC 239 could be felt from Nevada to Singapore, where former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was shipped off to in a historic trade less than a year ago. Not even the Richter scale is capable of measuring the size of those tremors, which opened up cracks in the reasoning Johnson was ever traded in the first place. That isn’t to suggest Ben Askren in the UFC hasn’t been entertaining. It has been a rollercoaster ride and cotton candy rolled into one. He talks the talk and walks the walk against the toughest guys in the UFC; guys that boast the kind of knockout power to alter careers with a single strike.
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.
Bellator eyeing Fedor Emelianenko vs. Rampage or Josh Barnett in Japan
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Many thought the great Fedor Emelianenko was considering retirement following a 35-second knockout loss to Ryan Bader back at Bellator 214 in January. Not so fast, says Bellator president Scott Coker, who confirmed Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement with the promotion. Coker even has some opponents in mind for his retirement tour. According to Coker, who spoke to Ariel Helwani on Monday’s MMA Show, Bellator is planning on holding a cross-over event with RIZIN in December, and the Bellator bossman wants Emelianenko to fight on the card.
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.
Michael Bisping believes Luke Rockhold is 'done' following latest knockout loss
Christopher Taylor - July 15, 2019
Michael Bisping did not take any pleasure from watching his former rival Luke Rockhold get knocked out by Jan Blachowicz earlier this month at UFC 239. Rockhold had his light heavyweight debut spoiled in brutal fashion by Blachowicz, who floored ‘Rocky’ with a punch in round two of their UFC 239 scrap.
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.
Bellator announces opening round of Featherweight World Grand Prix
Mike Pendleton - July 15, 2019
The Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix tournament is about to get underway this Fall, and President Scott Coker just announced the opening round matchups in the tournament. Speaking to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Coker announced all eight fights with the 16 featherweight tournament participants which will be split up between two events in September. Breaking: @ScottCoker just announced the first-round matchups for @BellatorMMA's 16-man featherweight grand prix (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/lOXPbYnzzI
Artem Lobov campaigns for fight with Amir Khan
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2019
Fresh off a bare-knuckle win over former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi, UFC veteran Artem Lobov is now setting his sights on another star pugilist: Amir Khan. Lobov as expressed interest in this matchup previously, and is once again campaigning for it after his long-time coach John Kavanagh broached the possibility in a recent interview.
Alexey Oleynik says UFC San Antonio fight could be his last
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2019
Alexey Oleynik is in for a tough fight. At UFC San Antonio, the Russian is set to take on Walt Harris in the co-main event. The 42-year-old is looking to get back into the win column after losing to Alistair Overeem back in April. Although he lost the fight, Oleynik says he was happy with his performance as he showed off his skills and at one point had his opponent hurt.
Johnny Walker shares plans for two-division title reign
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2019
Johnny Walker is closing in on a title fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but he believes he’s got a bit more work to do before Jones gives him the opportunity. “I still haven’t done much (in the UFC),” Walker told MMA Fighting recently. “But there aren’t many guys who would give me a big challenge. I don’t have to beat a top 5. People talk too much crap, man. People say I don’t have jiu-jitsu, I don’t have wrestling. They say I have to fight a wrestler. The last wrestler I fought lasted five seconds. I’m ready for him and I know I’d be a big challenge. I think he’s afraid to lose to an unknown guy.”
Aljamain Sterling reacts to Urijah Faber title chatter: 'Stop the bullsh*t'
Mike Heck - July 15, 2019
Aljamain Sterling was impressed with Urijah Faber’s quick finish over Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento on Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean he’s open to letting “The California Kid” take the spot at the top of the bantamweight division he’s worked hard to secure. “Funk Master” solidified his spot as the top contender at 135-pounds with a unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz last month at UFC 238 in Chicago. On Monday morning, Sterling decided to let the social media world know his thoughts about the chatter of Faber getting the next shot at Henry Cejudo following Saturday night’s event.