MMA News
VIDEO | Cody Garbrandt gets massive back tattoo
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
Cody Garbrandt is going to look a little different next time we see him in the Octagon. In a Sunday post to his official Instagram account, the former UFC bantamweight champion flaunted the beginnings of a new and massive back tattoo. This incredible piece seems to depict a gladiator, and from the looks of it, there’s still lots of work to be done by the talented artist Nic Westfall.
Report | Proposed Brian Ortega vs. Jeremy Stephens fight scratched from UFC San Antonio
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
From the sounds of it, UFC San Antonio almost got a banger of a featherweight matchup. According to a report from ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, a showdown between recent title challenger Brian Ortega and long-time contender Jeremy Stephens was briefly in the works for the card, but the fight was scratched due to the former’s lingering injuries. “There was some talk of booking Brian Ortega vs. Jeremy Stephens as the headliner for the July 20 card in San Antonio, but I’m told Ortega isn’t healthy enough to agree to a fight at the moment,” Helwani wrote on ESPN. “I do like that fight much better for Ortega than the rumored Zabit Magomedsharipov bout. Ease him back in.”
Conor McGregor coach sends warning to Drake
Mike Pendleton - June 3, 2019
It’s getting harder and harder to deny the legitimacy of the Drake Curse. When Drake meets an athlete, it seems like that athlete almost always loses immediately thereafter. One MMA coach is taking action to ensure his fighters go unaffected by the rapper’s witchcraft. After a photo of Drake and former boxing heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua surfaced online, John Kavanagh, head coach of SBG Ireland and Conor McGregor, sent out a pretty fair warning to the artist.
Marlon Moraes calls Cejudo's defeat of Dillashaw 'a fluke'
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has some incredible victories on his resume, most notably a decision defeat of Demetrious Johnson and a knockout win over TJ Dillashaw. Yet Cejudo’s UFC 238 opponent Marlon Moraes’ considers that latter victory a bit of a fluke. Speaking on a recent episode of MMA Junkie Radio, Moraes gave his assessment of Cejudo’s 28-second defeat of Dillashaw. He says he believes Dillashaw has the style to beat Cejudo, but that things simply went Cejudo’s way on the night of the fight.
UFC 238 | Blagoy Ivanov sees clear path to victory over Tai Tuivasa
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2019
Blagoy Ivanov got his first UFC win his last time out when he took on Ben Rothwell. Now, the 32-year-old is set to take on another ranked fighter in Tai Tuivasa on the main card of UFC 238 this Saturday. The Aussie Tuivasa is coming off of the first loss of his career and is ranked above Ivanov which made it an easy decision to accept the fight.
Daniel Cormier sends message to newly retired Alexander Gustafsson
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
Shortly after he was defeated by Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC Stockholm over the weekend, Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson hung up the gloves. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.
UFC Stockholm Fighter Salaries: Jimi Manuwa projected to be top earner
Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019
The octagon returned to Sweden this past weekend for UFC Stockholm, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Anthony Smith vs. Alexander Gustafsson. The event produced some incredible fights and jaw dropping finishes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting his training camp for UFC 242 title fight with Dustin Poirier
Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019
Current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting his training camp for September’s UFC 242 event in Abu Dhabi. While not officially announced, it is expected that there the undefeated Russian will square off with current interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier in a five-round title unification bout.
Referee Marc Goddard responds to Conor McGregor following recent criticism
Christopher Taylor - June 2, 2019
Marc Goddard has responded to Conor McGregor, this after the Irish star took aim at the veteran referee over an incident in 2012. The former two division UFC champion, McGregor, had taken to Twitter earlier this afternoon where he proceeded to throw shade at the veteran referee.
Conor McGregor rips referee Marc Goddard over behavior in 2012 fight
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
In 2017, Conor McGregor found himself in hot water after getting physical with referee Marc Goddard amid some confusion during his teammate Charlie Ward’s fight. As it turns out, this is not the first time the Irishman had an issue with Goddard.
Aleksandar Rakic discusses Jon Jones matchup after Manuwa KO
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Aleksandar Rakic put himself on the map at UFC Stockholm, beheading the dangerous Jimi Manuwa with a first-round head kick. With this incredible, highlight reel knockout in the books, Rakic can probably look forward to a spot in the light heavyweight top-10, and a reputation as a legitimate contender in the division.
Andy Ruiz on Anthony Joshua win: This is for 'all my fat boys'
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Almost nobody believed Andy Ruiz Jr. could defeat unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Yet in a jaw-dropping twist, and one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, the Mexican American boxer defeated the Brit by seventh-round TKO. Now the unified champion in the revivified heavyweight division, Andy Ruiz has dedicated this historic victory to his fellow underdogs, and all those with a little extra weight around the waist.
Conor McGregor praises Ireland's Katie Taylor after controversial war
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
On Saturday night, shortly after UFC Stockholm, and shortly before Anthony Joshua’s shocking heavyweight title loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., Irish champ Katie Taylor returned to the ring to battle rangy Belgian southpaw Delfine Persoon. The pair collided with the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles on the line. In the end, Taylor won this fight — but by a thin margin. After 10 thrilling rounds, the Irishwoman was awarded a close majority decision victory, becoming the unified champ in the process.
Anthony Smith shares thoughts on Alexander Gustafsson's retirement
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Anthony Smith picked up perhaps the biggest win of his career at UFC Stockholm, submitting multiple-time light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. Yet arguably the biggest headlines from the event surrounded Gustafsson’s surprise retirement announcement. In the lead-up to this fight, Gustafsson had suggested that he might hang up the gloves if he lost to Smith, as a loss would be an indicator he can longer compete at the highest level.
Alexander Gustafsson wasn't the only fighter to retire after UFC Stockholm
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Shortly after he was defeated by Anthony Smith in the UFC Stockholm main event, Alexander Gustafsson surprised onlookers by announcing his retirement from MMA. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.
Anthony Smith outlines plans after submission of Alexander Gustafsson
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Stockholm, Anthony Smith picked up arguably his biggest win to date, silencing the Swedish crowd in attendance with a submission of Alexander Gustafsson. With this victory, Smith returns to the win column after a recent decision loss to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and reasserts himself as one of the division’s top contenders.
RIZIN 16 results: Ayaka Hamasaki defeats Jinh Yu Frey again, Tenshin Nasukawa claims gold (Highlights)
Drake Riggs - June 2, 2019
RIZIN touched down in Kobe for the first time ever with RIZIN 16. And as per usual, the promotion delivered with plenty of great fights. The first of the final six bouts saw the fan favorite, Daron Cruickshank make his return to the RIZIN ring when he took on the rising lightweight, Tofiq Musayev.
Joe Rogan reacts after Andy Ruiz Jr. 'shocks the world' in win over Anthony Joshua
Christopher Taylor - June 2, 2019
Nights like this evening, which produced a massive upset in Andy Ruiz Jr. defeating Anthony Joshua, are why Joe Rogan loves combat sports. The popular UFC commentator took to Instagram shortly following Ruiz’s seventh-round TKO victory over Joshua with the following assessment of the shocking upset.