MMA News
Nate Diaz still submitting USADA samples despite absence
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
Nate Diaz has not fought since he gave up a hotly contested majority decision to Conor McGregor in 2016. That being said, the Stockton-based lightweight is still doing what he needs to do to ensure he’s eligible to fight in the UFC’s Octagon — namely submitting samples to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). According to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Diaz recently submitted his first USADA sample of the year 2019.
Dana White praises Rose Namajunas ahead of UFC 237
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will attempt to defend her title against hometown hero Jessica Andrade. Come fight time, Namajunas will more than likely face her fair share of boos from the passionate Brazilian fans in attendance in Rio. While this is daunting thought for most fighters, the strawweight champion allegedly did not hesitate when the UFC asked her to defend her title on foreign soil.
Who should Tony Ferguson fight in his return to the Octagon?
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2019
Tony Ferguson has been sidelined as of late due to personal problems, but the streaking lightweight contender recently Tweeted he is back and ready to fight again. Furthermore, the 35-year-old, along with his new management, recently met with the UFC brass to discuss his future. So, now the question is, who should ‘El Cucuy’ fight when he returns to the Octagon?
Ryan Spann plans to make a statement with finish of Lil Nog
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2019
Ryan Spann is heading into enemy territory to take on Brazilian MMA legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, aka “Lil Nog,” this Saturday at UFC 237. Spann won his UFC debut by unanimous decision against Luis Henrique Barbosa de Oliveira. Following the fight, the Fortis MMA product wanted to fight “Lil Nog” and asked for the fight — something not many people do. The reason he wanted the fight is simple.
Frankie Edgar makes case for title fight with Max Holloway
Natasha Hooper - May 10, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion and long-time featherweight contender Frankie Edgar is looking to fight Max Holloway for the featherweight strap in the near future. The fighter known as “The Answer” made his case in an Instagram post on Thursday night.
Israel Adesanya to PED-users: 'I'm snitching'
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
Despite the very best efforts of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), there are still fighters in the UFC attempting to use performance enhancing drugs. Over the last few months, the agency has busted several high profile PED-users, most notably former UFC bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw, and will continue to attempt to catch any fighters who are looking to give themselves an unfair advantage. It sounds like USADA will have some help from UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya as they continue on their mission. Speaking in a recent interview with The Schmo, the UFC interim middleweight champ vowed to snitch on anybody he hears is using performance enhancing drugs in the UFC.
PFL 1 results: Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III and Sarah Kaufman advance
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
On Thursday night, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returned to our screens with the first instalment of its anticipated season. This PFL 1 card featured a number of high-profile bouts in the compelling PFL women’s lightweight and men’s welterweight divisions. In the PFL 1 main event, promotional golden child Kayla Harrison picked up the biggest victory of her career, defeating the experienced Larissa Pachecho via unanimous decision, picking up three points in the process.
Cris Cyborg urges Macy Chiasson to move up to featherweight, Chiasson responds
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
Macy Chiasson has looked like an absolute savage in the UFC bantamweight division, scoring back-to-back stoppage victories over Gina Mazany and Sarah Moras since dropping down from the featherweight division. That being said, she appeared to endure a pretty rough weigh cut ahead of her recent stoppage win over Moras. She actually missed her mark on her first attempt, and had to use the infamous weigh-in towel to hit the division’s 136-pound limit on her second try.
UFC 237 weigh-in results: headliners hit marks for title fight, one fight scratched
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the stacked UFC 237 card (learn how to watch it here). This card will be topped by a compelling women’s strawweight title fight, as the champion Rose Namajunas defends her title on enemy soil against Brazil’s Jessica Andrade. Despite being the champion, Namajunas has been pegged as a slight underdog heading into this fight.
Jordan Burroughs sends message of respect to Ben Askren following their match
Drake Riggs - May 9, 2019
This past Monday night in New York City, a very special event was held in the world of wrestling. It was Beat the Streets 2019 and in the main event, we saw two of the sports’ all-time greatest competitors square off for the very first time. On one side, it was the ‘Funky’ undefeated former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, Ben Askren who has firmly established himself as one of the greatest wrestlers in MMA history.
More reasons to watch Bellator 221
Mike Straus - May 9, 2019
Another weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts is upon us. The Viacom owned promotion touches down in Chicago for Bellator 221 on Saturday. Bellator will go head to head with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for the second straight week on Saturday night. While that typically is promotional suicide, Bellator 221 is a solid offering, and dare I say the main card is just as good as UFC 237’s.
Clay Guida not buying Chad Mendes' retirement
Drake Riggs - May 9, 2019
Opponents turned training partners at Team Alpha Male, Clay Guida and Chad Mendes have gotten to know each other quite well over the years. Trading punches and kicks at UFC 164 in 2013 wasn’t enough as eventually, Guida would make his way to Mendes’ longtime gym where the two would begin working together on a regular basis. They even go out and catch some fish together from time to time.
Untameable: The Brianna Van Buren story
Drake Riggs - May 9, 2019
Travel four hours and 57 minutes north of Los Angeles and 36 minutes northeast of the ever-flowing Monterey Bay, and there lies the city of Gilroy. Every small town or city will usually have its handful of notable citizens that go on to do great things in a certain aspect of life. Gilroy is no different. And it’s not a ‘small’ area per se, but in comparison to your typical ‘name-city’ in California, it’s definitely not the biggest.
Donald Cerrone's manager takes shot at Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
Ever since Donald Cerrone defeated Al Iaquinta in the UFC Ottawa main event last weekend, there’s been renewed interest in a lightweight firefight between the fan favorite gunslinger and former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. While this Cerrone vs. McGregor fight is still purely hypothetical, the Cerrone side of things is working hard to change that.
UFC 237 | Rose Namajunas speculates why she is the underdog against Jessica Andrade
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
UFC 237 (see how to watch here) will be topped by a dynamite strawweight title fight, as the champion Rose Namajunas defends her title against fearsome challenger Jessica Andrade. Despite the fact that Namajunas is the reigning, defending champion, she’s been identified as a slight underdog against Andrade. Speaking to MMA Junkie ahead of UFC 237, Namajunas took a guess as to why she’s currently the betting underdog against her tough Brazilian opponent.
Daniel Cormier questions actions of 'entitled' Stipe Miocic
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
With Brock Lesnar’s UFC return reportedly off the table, UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is now booked to defend his title against the very man he won it from, Stipe Miocic. The pair will collide at UFC 241 this August. The first time the two fighters met, Cormier won by first-round knockout, ending Miocic’s reign as the most dominant champion in UFC history. Since then, Cormier has fought once, defeating Derrick Lewis by submission. Miocic has not competed since, adamant instead that he deserved an immediate rematch with Cormier on the basis of his accomplishments as the former champ.
PHOTOS | Paige VanZant releases photos from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
Paige VanZant is the latest UFC star to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, and several of the photos from her spread in the magazine have now been released on the World Wide Web. Paige VanZant shared a few of the highlights on her official Instagram page. The full collection, meanwhile, can be viewed on the official Sports Illustrated Swimsuit site.
UFC rankings update: 'Cowboy' climbs into lightweight top-5
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s UFC Ottawa card, and as expected, Donald Cerrone has made a big climb on the strength of his rousing decision defeat of Al Iaquinta. The fan favorite, known affectionately as “Cowboy,” now holds the number four spot in the lightweight division. These latest UFC rankings also include some big changes in the women’s bantamweight division, as Macy Chiasson has surged up on the list after a stoppage win over Sarah Moras.