MMA News
Reasons to watch UFC on ESPN+ 10
Mike Straus - May 17, 2019
The Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York will house the action for this weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 10. Let’s take a look at some of the more compelling reasons to tune in. The 13 fight card will culminate with a pair of lightweight fighters that have since made the move to 170 pounds. Moreover, the winner of Rafael dos Anjos and Kevin Lee will find themselves in prime position moving forward in the welterweight division.
Nate Diaz opens as betting favorite over Anthony Pettis for UFC 241 clash
Drake Riggs - May 17, 2019
Any proposed match-up involving Stockton’s own one-time UFC lightweight title challenger and season 5 of The Ultimate Fighter winner, Nate Diaz (19-11) never feels official these days until he’s actually making that walk to the Octagon. Regardless, he is indeed scheduled to make his return to action after a three-year layoff. It was recently announced that the younger of the Diaz brothers will be set to face off in a welterweight bout against the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (22-8).
Matt Serra weighs in on BJ Penn’s fighting future following UFC 237
Matheus Costa - May 17, 2019
Last saturday wasn’t a easy night for BJ Penn as he suffered his seventh straight loss at UFC 237 after being defeated by Clay Guida via unanimous decision. And while there’s a lot of fans and even fighters calling for the legend’s retirement, Mr. Penn has received a backup on his cause from a notorious former opponent. Matt Serra, a former UFC welterweight champion, spoke about Penn’s last fights on the “UFC Unfiltered Podcast”. The headcoach for Serra-Longo’s Team showed some love to “The Prodigy” and didn’t join those who want to see him hanging up his gloves – for now.
Santiago Ponzinibbio calls for Robbie Lawler fight, trashes Darren Till
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2019
When it was announced that Tyron Woodley had been forced out of his UFC Minneapolis main event rematch with Robbie Lawler with a hand injury, it opened the door for several opportunistic welterweights to attempt to step and replace him. The first to do so was Darren Till, who specified that he would fight Lawler in Minneapolis, if Lawler agreed to meet at 175 pounds rather than 170.
Dan Lambert says he has been told Covington vs. Usman is next '100 percent'
Cole Shelton - May 17, 2019
After Colby Covington beat Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 to win the interim welterweight title, the expectation was that he would fight Tyron Woodley for the undisputed belt. They do not like each other and it would have been one of the bigger fights of the year. However, “Chaos” was passed up not once but twice at UFC 228 and UFC 235. On those cards, Woodley beat Darren Till and then lost to Kamaru Usman. Following Usman winning the belt, UFC President Dana White said Colby Covington was next for a title shot. But for months now, nothing has been said and Usman’s manager has talked about Ben Askren or Jorge Masvidal getting the title shot instead.
Darren Till offers to step in against Robbie Lawler — with a catch
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2019
This morning, we were hit by the unfortunate news that former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has withdrawn from his UFC Minneapolis headlining rematch with Robbie Lawler with a hand injury. The good news is that the UFC is working on finding a replacement opponent for Lawler. Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till is hoping to make their job a little easier. Speaking on his official Twitter account, which he recently reactivated, Till offered to step in against Robbie Lawler in the UFC Minneapolis main event. His only stipulation is that the fight be contested at 175 pounds rather than 170 as originally planned.
The MMA community reacts to Sage Northcutt getting KO'd in 29 seconds
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2019
On Friday, on the main card of ONE: Enter The Dragon in Singapore, former UFC talent Sage Northcutt made his debut in the ONE Championship ring. He was welcomed to the Asian martial arts powerhouse by kickboxing talent Cosmo Alexandre, who he met in a mixed martial arts bout. Northcutt’s ONE Championship did not go as he planned. In fact, this first bout on Asian soil went disastrously for the former UFC wunderkind, as he was knocked out cold by his Brazilian foe in less than 30 seconds.
Tyron Woodley out of UFC Minneapolis rematch with Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2019
Disaster has struck the upcoming UFC Minneapolis card, as former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has been forced out of his main event rematch with Robbie Lawler. The cause of his withdrawal is a hand injury, per ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto. BREAKING: Tyron Woodley has been forced to withdraw from his June 29 bout against Robbie Lawler due to injury, per sources. UFC looking for a replacement to keep Lawler on the card in Minneapolis. More info coming soon to @ESPN.
Kevin Lee believes 165-pound division is 'inevitable,' sees no downside to it
Cole Shelton - May 17, 2019
Kevin Lee is set to move up to welterweight to take on Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester. Although Lee will weigh around 170 pounds, he was hoping by now he would be a part of a new 165-pound division. Lee and several other fighters have talked about why this division is so important for their health, and added that the UFC would benefit from the creation of another belt. However, UFC President Dana White has said there won’t be a 165-pound division for at least the next seven years — as long as he is in charge. But, “The Motown Phenom” is not buying that at all.
Arnold Berdon receives 4 years' probation for assault of Rachael Ostovich
Natasha Hooper - May 17, 2019
Arnold Berdon, the estranged husband of UFC flyweight fighter Rachael Ostovich has received 4 years’ probation for domestic assault charges stemming from an incident that occurred in Nov. 2018 (via MMAJunkie). The Hawaiian MMA fighter was arrested for attempted murder against Ostovich last year. The attack occurred at their home after a night out and Ostovich was forced to flee the scene from her balcony. Ostovich alleges that Berdon severely beat her, punching her in the head and ribs, even bursting her eye socket
ONE: Enter the Dragon live stream, results and highlights: Lee stops Aoki, Northcutt comes up short
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2019
On Friday, ONE Championship returned to its home city of Singapore with the ONE: Enter The Dragon card — easily one of the promotion’s biggest shows to date. Watch it live below on the ONE Championship YouTube channel.
Conor McGregor building homes for Irish families living in hotels
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Of all the negative stories that can surround celebrities, there is still plenty of good and positivity to be spread and shared. And despite his status, Conor McGregor is showing that in full force back home in Ireland. ‘The Notorious’ former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion took to his Facebook page on Thursday to reveal the progress being made for his property development in Ireland that is going to help those in need.
Anderson Silva says he is 'not retiring' eyes Jared Cannonier rematch
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019
Anderson Silva suffered defeat on Saturday at the hands of Jared Cannonier. There, the “Killa Gorilla” threw a plethora of leg kicks, where one of which buckled Silva’s knee and ended the fight. Just like that, Silva lost in the first round for the first time since 2006. The good news out of it was the fact that the 44-year-old didn’t break his leg and avoided serious injury.
Dear MMA Gods | How much gold can a pitbull carry?
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Bellator MMA plays home to several of the world’s very best hand to hand combatants. Some of which are treated to brighter spotlights than others. No matter how underrated or underappreciated, the hardest workers and consistently successful athletes end up finding their ways. And that has exactly been the case for the now arguably greatest fighter in the promotion’s history, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Coach 'absolutely gutted' over Alexander Volkanovski title snub
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
After a massive win at UFC 237, it seemed all but certain that Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski was next in line for a crack at the UFC featherweight title. Well, the UFC had other plans as former lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar is now set to get his third shot (including interim) at the featherweight title. With UFC 243 expected to take place in October down in Australia, an event that’s also likely to be headlined by the highly anticipated middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, everyone seemed to think that throwing together Volkanovski and current champion, Max Holloway was the best move for the co-headliner.
Donald Cerrone discusses decision to accept short-notice fight with Tony Ferguson
Thomas Taylor - May 16, 2019
On May 4, in the main event of UFC Ottawa, fan favorite lightweight contender Donald Cerrone picked up an impressive decision victory over Al Iaquinta. Days later, and in classic “Cowboy” fashion, he accepted a June 8 matchup with top lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. It should surprise absolutely nobody Cowboy was out doing classic Cowboy things when the UFC called up up and offered him this short-notice fighter with the streaking Ferguson. In fact, he was on a cave diving trip.
Michael Chandler releases deep and poetic statement following title loss
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Historically, there are few if any fighters in Bellator that have achieved more in the promotion than the three-time lightweight champion, Michael Chandler. Perhaps the obvious one who we could say has achieved more and is now the greatest fighter in Bellator history is none other than the man to defeat Chandler this past weekend, the current featherweight champion and now lightweight champion, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire.
Jacare Souza targets rematch with Kelvin Gastelum for next fight
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Surprisingly, legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master and former Strikeforce middleweight champion, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza has alternated between wins and losses in his last five outings. Jacare, 39, had his last fight come in the main event of UFC Fort Lauderdale in late April opposite the rising Swedish ‘Joker,’ Jack Hermansson. Unfortunately for the 185-pound staple in Jacare, his replacement opponent would get the better of him with a unanimous decision victory.