MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov on Dustin Poirier: “I have to maul him”
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier are expected to square off this September in a lightweight title unification bout. Poirier became the promotions interim lightweight title holder at last weekend’s UFC 236 event, defeating Max Holloway via unanimous decision.
Kevin Lee Wants Adesanya vs. Gastelum Type War on May 18
James Lynch - April 20, 2019
Kevin Lee wants his next fight to be legendary! Looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, Lee moves up to the welterweight division against former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN+ 10 on May 18. The 26-year-old plans to be a lot more focused in this fight, as opposed to his last outing against Al Iaquinta, a unanimous decision loss at UFC on FOX 31, where he felt distracted.
Pros react to Alistair Overeem stopping Aleksei Oleinik
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
A key heavyweight tilt between perennial division contenders Alistair Overeem and Aleksei Oleinik headlined today’s UFC event in Russia. Overeem entered tonight’s main event looking to build on the momentum of a first-round TKO victory he scored this past November in Beijing.
UFC on ESPN+ 7 Results: Alistair Overeem TKO’s Aleksei Oleinik (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
A heavyweight bout featuring perennial division contenders Alistair Overeem and Aleksei Oleinik headlined today’s UFC event in St. Petersburg. Alistair Overeem was last seen in action at November’s UFC event in Beijing, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Sergey Pavlovich.
VIDEO | Angela Magana releases emotional statement following coma
Drake Riggs - April 19, 2019
“Hi guys, I’m awake,” Angela Magana started. “I still feel very tired, I can barely open my eyes. But um… Thank you, everybody, for thinking about me. I feel like I’m a very rich woman cause I have a lot of time. Well, look what happened. I almost lost all my time. But to take time to wish somebody well… What do we do with time? We make money, so time’s more valuable than money… “So thank you to everybody who took the time to wish me well. I’m going to make a full recovery. The problem was just the anesthesia. The disc procedure and the cauda equina stuff went better than they thought. So the surgery was great. It was just the anesthesia. I’m going to get better, and I’ll be fighting again soon. Nothing’ll stop me, man. And Combate Americas has been so good to me, thank you. Some huge stresses in my life has been from injured in fighting.”
Zach Zane vs. Justin Gonzales slated for Contender Series
Nolan King - April 19, 2019
The UFC is putting the final touches on another Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series bout. Featherweights Zach Zane (12-7) and Justin Gonzales (8-0) are on a crash course for Las Vegas on June 25, sources tell BJPenn.com Born and raised in Wailuku, Hawaii, “God’s Warrior” Zach Zane has been on a dominant run, competing for regional promotions around the world.
Francis Ngannou argues for title shot with win over Junior dos Santos
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
At UFC 239, which is scheduled for July 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Francis Ngannou will take on Junior dos Santos in a pivotal heavyweight showdown. If he wins this fight, he believes there will be no denying him another shot at the UFC heavyweight title. After blitzkrieg knockouts of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes, Ngannou feels he already arguably deserves that opportunity.
Alberto Del Rio believes Cain Velasquez 'has the right attitude' for Lucha Libre
James Lynch - April 19, 2019
Can former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez succeed in Lucha Libre wrestling? Alberto Del Rio would know better than anyone. The former WWE star has competed in North American pro wrestling, Lucha Libre and MMA, and weighed in on Velasquez’s chances in an interview with MMAJunkie.
Paulie Malignaggi wants to draw Conor McGregor into fight by putting Lobov in a coma
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
On June 22, at BKFC 6, Paulie Malignaggi will compete in a bare knuckle grudge match with Artem Lobov. This fight will serve as the climax of one of the most sizzling combat sports beefs in recent memory — and remarkably, it’s not even Malignaggi’s most high profile beef. The retired boxer’s original and most severe gripes were with Lobov’s training partner Conor McGregor. And he’s now hoping that, by putting Lobov “in a coma,” he can coax McGregor into a fight.
Coach Firas Zahabi rips 'cheater' Jon Fitch in virulent tirade
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
On April 27, in the main event of Bellator 220, Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald will attempt to defend his title against former World Series of Fighting champ Jon Fitch in the final, first-round bout of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Speaking to Robin Black and DAZN ahead of this fight, MacDonald’s coach Firas Zahabi, the main behind Tristar MMA, went off Jon Fitch, calling him a cheater and a coward.
Anderson Silva not ruling out final middleweight title run
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, is nearing the end of his fighting career. Yet as he gears up for a high-stakes UFC 237 showdown with the dangerous Jared Cannonier, he suggested he might have one last UFC title run in him. UFC gold just isn’t a priority like it used to be. “I never put something in my mind like, ‘Oh I need to fight again for the belt,” Silva told the media in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this week (via MMA Junkie). “No. That’s a part in my life I passed. But I continue to fight. But I don’t know – maybe I have a new opportunity to fight for the belt. I don’t know.
Artem Lobov vs. Paulie Malignaggi official for BKFC 6
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov now have a date and locale for their anticipated bare knuckle grudge match. The pair will collide at BKFC 6 on June 22 in New Hampshire. Malignaggi first divulged these details in an interview with Helen Yee. BKFC President Dave Feldman later confirmed the news to MMA Fighting, though he added that an exact venue for the fight has not yet been locked down.
Khabib Nurmagomedov criticizes UFC for lack of Russian promotion
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
This Saturday night on April 20, Saturday morning for everyone stateside, the UFC will return to Russia for their sophomore event in the country. In September 2018, the UFC debuted in Russia by touching down in Moscow for the event that was headlined by Mark Hunt and Alexei Oleinik. This time around for UFC Saint Petersburg, the event will also be headlined by heavyweight action as well as the aforementioned ‘Boa Constrictor,’ Oleinik.
Khabib Nurmagomedov talks Dustin Poirier, plans to open multiple 'Khabib Gyms' around the world
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
Current undisputed UFC world lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently serving a suspension he gained following his successful first title defense over Conor McGregor in October 2018 at UFC 229. However, that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been keeping busy in his spare time while watching over his division. Following the scuffle that unfolded after his fight, ‘The Eagle’ is now looking at a September return which will presumably see him face the new interim champion, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier.
UFC veteran Angela Magana wakes up from coma
Tom Taylor - April 18, 2019
Earlier this week, the MMA community was rocked by the distressing news that former UFC fighter Angela Magana had slipped into a coma after a complication during an emergency surgery. “She’s in a coma, and we’re waiting to hear some positive news,” her coach Gabriel Lamastus told MMA Junkie. “The surgery went fine. The problem was anesthesia. It’s very rare that patients react bad to anesthesia, but it does happen, and I guess this is one of those rare cases. But I’m being positive. She’ll be fine, and she’ll wake up. She’s a hard worker. Angela is a very, very hard worker. A lot of people only know the Angela from social media. They don’t really know the real Angela. That woman busts her tail to provide for her family.”
Ray Borg says he'll leave MMA 'forever' if he misses weight again
James Lynch - April 18, 2019
UFC bantamweight Ray Borg has taken a serious stance on changes that need to be made in his career The 25-year-old posted on his Twitter account on Wednesday that he vows to make changes in his personal life regarding his eating habits in an effort to never miss weight again. Borg stated that should he miss weight one more time and it’s not related to an injury, that he would walk away from MMA altogether.
USADA imposter steals Dan Ige's blood
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
Well… It isn’t every day that one gets their blood stolen. But apparently, if you’re a UFC fighter like Dan Ige, it’s definitely a possibility. The top featherweight prospect shared early Thursday that he received a visit from USADA… Or at least so he thought…
EXCLUSIVE | Alexey Oleynik might try to 'surprise' Alistair Overeem
Cole Shelton - April 18, 2019
In the main event of UFC St. Petersburg, Alistair Overeem was supposed to take on Russian Alex Volkov. However, just a few weeks from the fight, Volkov pulled out of the fight leaving the UFC searching for a replacement. After a quick text message to the man who headlined the first-ever UFC event in Russia, in Alexey Oleynik, they had a new main event. “The UFC proposed me this fight,” Oleynik told BJPENN.com. “They texted me that we need an opponent for Alistair Overeem, and I said yes I am ready. This is very important for me. If I had to choose between a big name and a non-big name I will pick the big name even if it is more dangerous. Overeem has a name and a ranking and that is most important to me. Money doesn’t matter, it is the same money.”