MMA News
PHOTO | Liam McGeary shows broken jaw, tooth sustained in Phil Davis fight
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Over the weekend, on the main card of Bellator 220, former Bellator light heavyweight champs Phil Davis and Liam McGeary collided in an anticipated rematch. In the end, Davis won this fight when McGeary sustained an apparent jaw injury in the third round.
Uber driver confesses to murder of UFC veteran
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Earlier this month, UFC veteran Rodrigo de Lima was reportedly hit and killed by an Uber driver in Belem, Brazil. The driver, Jefferson Roger Maciel Barata, has now confessed to this crime. He has been arrested and will reportedly be charged with murder (via MMA Fighting).
Jack Hermansson outlines goals after defeating 'Jacare'
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Jack Hermansson picked up the biggest victory of his career over the weekend, walloping former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to a unanimous decision victory in the short-notice UFC Fort Lauderdale main event. While this victory surprised a great many onlookers, Hermansson himself sees it as the result of more than a decade of hard work.
Neiman Gracie calls 'bulls**t' on Rory MacDonald's post-fight comments
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Shortly after battling Jon Fitch to a draw in the main event of Bellator 220, Bellator welterweight champ Rory MacDonald made some comments that cast doubt on his future as a fighter. Most notably, he suggested that he no longer has the desire to hurt people — certainly an issue for those who make their living fighting in a cage.
'Jacare' Souza comments on upset loss to Jack Hermansson
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Fort Lauderdale, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza risked his promised middleweight title shot in a fight with short-notice replacement opponent Jack Hermansson. Unfortunately for the Brazilian contender and his dedicated fan base, this gamble did not pay off. Instead, the 39-year-old was thumped to a decision loss by his unheralded opponent and his title dreams were once again dashed — perhaps for a final time. Speaking at the UFC Fort Lauderdale post-fight press conference, Jacare issued a few quick comments on this loss. Understandably, he says he’s sad.
UFC 242 set for September 7 in Abu Dhabi, Khabib Nurmagomedov expected to headline
Chris Taylor - April 28, 2019
The octagon will return to Abu Dhabi on September 7 for the promotions UFC 242 event and it is expected that Khabib Nurmagomedov will headline the card. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news moments ago on Twitter.
Darrion Caldwell vs Kyoji Horiguchi 2 official for Bellator 222
Drake Riggs - April 28, 2019
The first RIZIN Fighting Federation event of 2019 went down on April 21 with RIZIN 15. It was a great night of fights as per usual from the Japanese based MMA leader. In action, that night was none other than the RIZIN bantamweight king, Kyoji Horiguchi (27-2) who defeated Ben Nguyen via first-round TKO. The dominant 28-year old entered the ring for the first time since he won the title on New Year’s Eve 2018 at RIZIN 14 when he defeated the Bellator champion, Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (13-2) in a crazy comeback effort.
Dana White updates on Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson
Thomas Taylor - April 28, 2019
Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor remain two of the best lightweight fighters in the world, but at the moment, it’s extremely unclear what the future holds for either man. Conor McGregor, making millions through his numerous ventures outside the cage, would seem to have no financial impetus to fight again. Tony Ferguson, on the other hand, is dealing with some personal struggles that have rendered his status uncertain. Yet every fight fan with a pulse is hoping both men fight again soon.
Joe Rogan praises 'new star' Jack Hermansson
Thomas Taylor - April 28, 2019
In the span of a few weeks, Sweden’s Jack Hermansson has submitted former World Series of Fighting champion David Branch, and dominated former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to a decision. In doing so, the surging middleweight contender has impressed pretty much every member of the MMA community — and that includes UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan, who was not on duty for Saturday night’s UFC Fort Lauderdale card, where Hermansson defeated Jacare, heaped praise on the Swede on Instagram on Sunday afternoon.
Conor McGregor doubts he will be able to 'fully walk away from fighting'
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
On Sunday, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor once again hopped onto Twitter and interacted with his fans. As is so often the case, this latest Twitter session provided some interesting insights into the sport’s biggest star. Responding to one fan, McGregor explained that even though he certainly could retire from fighting right now, his love for the sport makes it difficult for him to walk away.
Mike Perry discusses possible Darren Till fight after UFC Fort Lauderdale win
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
On Saturday night, on the main card of UFC Fort Lauderdale, “Platinum” Mike Perry returned to the win column with a Fight of the Night winning victory over Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira. With this victory, Perry set himself up for more big fights in the UFC welterweight division — including a long discussed fight with Darren Till. From the sounds of it, this is a fight Perry still wants — though he knows it might not be what the UFC ultimately offers him.
Dana White on Greg Hardy's opponent: 'I’d like to see the nine guys he beat'
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2019
Greg Hardy got his first UFC win last night when he beat Dmitrii Smoliakov by first-round TKO. For most of the fight, it seemed like Smoliakov was back peddling and as soon as the former NFL star hit him, it appeared the Russian wanted nothing to do with it. Smoliakov struggled from the get-go, and UFC President Dana White is not sure how he has nine wins on his record. That being said, White refuted the claim it was a so-called ‘set up fight’ for Hardy.
What's next for UFC Fort Lauderdale main event fighters?
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2019
The Octagon returned to Florida last night for UFC Fort Lauderdale. Originally, this card was supposed to be a big ESPN card, but after numerous changes to the main event — Jack Hermansson ultimately stepped in to take on Jacare Souza — the card was bumped to ESPN+. Hermansson dominated Souza and won four rounds on one judge’s scorecards, while the other two gave him three rounds. It was a performance that should get Hermansson ranked in the top-five. As for Jacare, things are less certain.
VIDEO | Chaotic, three-on-three brawl at URCC 77
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
UFC Fort Lauderdale and Bellator 220 certainly produced some interesting moments, but the weirdest MMA moment of the weekend came from URCC 77 in the Philippines, which featured a wild, three-on-three brawl. This team MMA bout pitted three fighters from the Philippines and three from China, and ended in bizarre fashion as one fighter seemed to be rattled by an illegal shot to the back of the head. These things tend to happen when there are six people fighting in one cage. See it in the video below:
UFC Fort Lauderdale bonus report: Mike Perry, Alex Oliveira rewarded for war
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
On Saturday night, the UFC returned to ESPN+ with the action packed UFC Fort Lauderdale card. As is so often the case with thrilling cards of this sort, the UFC brass had an unenviable task on their hands when it came time to hand out the bonuses for the evening’s best fight, but in the end, they decided on a main card welterweight bout between “Platinum” Mike Perry and Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira. This thrilling showdown, which Mike Perry won by unanimous decision, earned both men $50,000 bonuses.
Rory MacDonald questioning fighting future after Jon Fitch draw
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
Last night, in the main event of Bellator 220, Rory MacDonald retained the Bellator welterweight title and moved to the second round of the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix with a draw against former World Series of Fighting champion Jon Fitch. After this controversial bout, MacDonald is apparently questioning his continued desire to fight — more specifically his desire to hurt people.
Jon Fitch not sure where to go after draw at Bellator 220, contemplates retirement
Drake Riggs - April 28, 2019
The Bellator welterweight title was on the line in the main event of Bellator 220 in San Jose, California on Saturday night. In the bout was the defending champion, Rory MacDonald as he took on the seasoned UFC veteran and former World Series of Fighting champ, Jon Fitch. In a very closely contested battle, the scorecards would reflect that as the fight wound up being a majority draw. Because of the fact that MacDonald didn’t lose, he remained the champion and will advance to the welterweight Grand Prix semifinals to take on Neiman Gracie.
Bellator 220 results: Rory MacDonald draws with Jon Fitch (Highlights)
Drake Riggs - April 27, 2019
Bellator has brought back life to their old school style of tournaments with their world title Grand Prix’s. And for the welterweight tournament, Bellator 220 hosted the first title fight as the champion, Rory MacDonald, made his first return after an unsuccessful attempt at capturing middleweight gold in his last time out. The extremely season veteran, Jon Fitch looked to make it two losses in a row for the Canadian. MacDonald rushes forward immediately and cracks Fitch with a hard right hand that stuns him. Fitch retaliates with a single leg attempt. He gets it down slowly as MacDonald threatens with a kimura as he stands back up. Fitch keeps grinding on him but MacDonald goes back for the kimura. They separate and MacDonald throws some shots before defending a Fitch takedown attempt. Another big right from MacDonald lands. Fitch has a cut in his hair somewhere. MacDonald backs Fitch up and is stalking. Fitch shoots for a takedown and gets it big this time. Fitch works ground and pound to the body as the round closes.