MMA News
Robert Whittaker doesn't expect Israel Adesanya fight to be a war, 'It’s gonna be short and sweet'
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
This past weekend’s UFC 236’s co-main event decided who will be the next challenger to undisputed middleweight king, Robert Whittaker. In the said bout, fellow ANZAC of Whittaker’s, Israel Adesanya would go on to defeat Kelvin Gastelum over the course of a five-round fight of the year candidate. Originally, Gastelum was supposed to be the one facing Whittaker back in February but due to injuries on the champion’s end, Adesanya was able to capitalize on the opportunities that were presented.
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.”
VIDEO | Max Holloway gives gloves to Dustin Poirier, Shaq consoles Holloway's son
Tom Taylor - April 18, 2019
UFC 236 was a card to remember. The event, which went down in Atlanta, Georgia last weekend, was topped by a pair of interim title fights, as Dustin Poirier defeated Max Holloway to capture interim lightweight gold, and Israel Adesanya defeated Kelvin Gastelum to win the interim middleweight title. Both fights were absolute wars, earning all four fighters involved Fight of the Night honors. As is so often the case with unforgettable wars like the ones we saw at UFC 236, there were some pretty emotional moments backstage after the fights wrapped up.
Amanda Nunes updates on plans for UFC featherweight title
Tom Taylor - April 18, 2019
Amanda Nunes, who currently owns the UFC bantamweight and featherweight titles, is booked to defend her bantamweight title against Holly Holm at UFC 239 this summer. Should she successfully defend this title against the former bantamweight champion Holm, her plan is to then move back up to featherweight to defend that belt. “For sure (I plan to) defend both,” Nunes told reporters at the recent UFC seasonal press conference during UFC 236 fight week in Atlanta, Georgia (via MMA Junkie). “I will defend my belt at 135 then go up and defend my belt after at 145.”
EXCLUSIVE | Brandon Vera discusses potential ONE Championship showdown with Vitor Belfort
Tom Taylor - April 18, 2019
ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera is currently gearing up for a showdown with ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight World Champion Aung La N Sang, which is set to occur in Tokyo this October. This fight with Aung La is currently consuming all of the Filipino-American titleholder’s focus. That being said, he is interested in a bout with new ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort, should the opportunity arise in the future.
More reasons to watch UFC St. Petersburg
Mike Straus - April 18, 2019
The UFC will return to our screens this weekend with UFC St. Petersburg. The card is topped by a heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Alexey Oleynik. A heavyweight bout at the top of the bill is a great way to pull casual fans in. However, upon further review, the seventh offering on the ESPN+ platform promises to entertain on an even deeper level.
EXCLUSIVE | Alvarez, Johnson debuts proved what Aung La N Sang already knew about ONE Championship fighters
Tom Taylor - April 18, 2019
ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Aung La N Sang last fought at ONE: A New Era on March 31 Tokyo, Japan, when he defended his middleweight strap with a knockout of Ken Hasegawa. On that same night, we witnessed the ONE Championship debuts of two former UFC titleholders in Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson. The former UFC and Bellator champ Alvarez debuted first, and contrary to the widespread expectation among Western fans, he was stopped in the first round by his ferocious opponent Timofey Nastyukhin.
Robert Whittaker believes he could give Jon Jones 'a run for his money'
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
A new interim UFC middleweight champion was crowned this past Saturday night when Israel Adesanya would defeat Kelvin Gastelum via a thrilling unanimous decision. Prior to the bout, there were brief mentions from Adesanya and current light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones of one another in some interviews. Since then, the two have gone back and forth in a much deeper depth than we could have expected them to.
Anderson Silva sides with Jon Jones says Israel Adesanya 'crossed the line'
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2019
Anderson Silva has picked a side in the ongoing feud between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. The feud first started when Adesanya called out Jones. Since then the two have been trading shots at each other on frequent occasion. Silva, who fought Adesanya at UFC 234, believes ‘The Last Stylebender’ disrespected Jones with the way he handled the trash-talk.
Opinion | The most must-see upcoming MMA event isn't one of the UFC's
Drake Riggs - April 17, 2019
If we take a quick glance at the upcoming MMA schedule, there is always an event or collection of fights that will stand out above the rest. And as we head into the mid-way point of 2019, that remains true. Crazy to think that the year is already half-way over, isn’t it? Even if you’re the most hardcore of hardcore fan, it’s still hard to deny that the best upcoming event is probably always going to be a UFC event. And that’s no matter what time of year it is. Right now, that is still an accurate statement to make. Especially as International Fight Week’s big UFC 239 event quickly approaches. And wildly enough, that card isn’t even completed yet.
VIDEO | Brendan Schaub further questions new UFC ESPN+ PPV method following UFC236
Drake Riggs - April 17, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwUog-lDKco/ “Did anyone else have problems with ESPN+?” Brendan Schaub asked on the Below the Belt podcast. “So, I have all the family around. We got food and everything. Everyone ready? Here we go. Click. It goes, ‘This service does not work on this device.’ I’m like, ‘Ok, well, that’s not good.’ Try doing it again. Nothing. Try doing it from my phone. Nothing. “ESPN, UFC, I’m trying to give you $80. And then finally I went, ‘Yo, if I don’t figure this out in five minutes… I’m going to turn to the dark side and have to illegally stream this.’ I must’ve got 2,000 DMs with different links. When I clicked on that link, that thing was better quality than I had on my f*cking… Than ever!
Dustin Poirier shares his simple recipe for beating Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2019
Last Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 236, Dustin Poirier defeated UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway to earn the UFC interim lightweight title. Having earned this title, he can now look forward to a title-unifier with undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov — most likely in September, per UFC President Dana White. “Yes, that’s the fight,” White said at the UFC 236 post-fight press conference (via MMA Fighting). “Poirier will fight Khabib next. Probably in September.
Israel Adesanya fires back at Paulo Costa after post-fight comments
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2019
Shortly after Israel Adesanya captured the UFC interim middleweight title by defeating Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC 236 co-main event, he found himself on the receiving end of a social media attack from one of his primary rivals, fellow undefeated middleweight Paulo Costa.
Israel Adesanya sets record at UFC 236, Conor McGregor begs to differ
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2019
Israel Adesanya absorbed quite a bit of punishment in his UFC 236 interim middleweight title fight with Kelvin Gastelum, but he also landed plenty of meaningful offense in return. In fact, he landed a record-breaking amount. Shortly after this fight, which Adesanya won by unanimous decision, the UFC announced that the Nigerian-born Kiwi had landed the third most knockdowns ever in a single UFC fight. MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn then added that Adesanya’s four knockdowns landed on Gastelum actually set the record for the most knockdowns in a single title fight.
John Gotti III added to CES 56 in Connecticut
Nolan King - April 17, 2019
Grandson of the legendary mobster bearing the same name, John Gotti III (3-0) will return to action late next month for CES MMA, the promotion announced Wednesday afternoon. The undefeated welterweight prospect will take to the Connecticut Convention Center on May 31 to take on DeVon Mosley (3-2) at CES 56. The event’s main card will air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
EXCLUSIVE | Sodiq Yusuff explains Kron Gracie callout, hopes for UFC card in Africa
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2019
Back at UFC Philadelphia, Sodiq Yusuff extended his winning streak to four and improved to 2-0 in the UFC. Following the fight, Yusuff called out Kron Gracie, who is coming off of a submission win over Alex Caceres and is from the legendary jiu-jitsu family.
Former UFC fighter Angela Magana in a coma after surgery complication
James Lynch - April 17, 2019
Terrible news regarding former UFC strawweight Angela Magana: According to her coach Gabriel Lamastus (via MMAJunkie) Magana went into a coma early Wednesday morning following complications from emergency surgery. The 35-year-old currently lives in Puerto Rico and is staying at University Hospital. According to Lamastus, Magana was experiencing back pain in preparation for her Combate Americas matchup against Kyra Batara on Apr. 26. After a MRI revealed a herniated disc, Magana continued to train until the pain became too much and she was admitted again.