MMA News

Nolan King - April 2, 2019

With no major mixed martial arts event this weekend, things were supposed to be nice and calm in the world of combat sports this week. That all changed when Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov met in New York City during a media day for the latter’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship bout this weekend, all hell broke loose. The altercation started off strictly verbal, with both men exchanging words. As the distance decreased between both men, Malignaggi slapped Lobov across the face.

Drake Riggs - April 2, 2019

The UFC-ESPN era officially kicked off at the beginning of 2019. And just recently, they extended their partnership by two years and moved the UFC pay-per-view events exclusively to the ESPN streaming service, ESPN+. Simply put, that means that starting wit UFC 236 next Saturday night, all UFC pay-per-view events will only be watchable if you purchase a $4.99 monthly subscription to ESPN+. That is unless you want to go to your local sports bar to watch the event.

Drake Riggs - April 2, 2019

Russia is home to many of the world’s present and past greatest fighters. And as time moves forward, that will surely only continue to be the case. The UFC lightweight title is currently held by the unstoppable 27-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Sambo smashing machine is, however, currently suspended due to a post-fight scuffle that took place after his last bout at UFC 229 in October.

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2019

UFC veteran Artem Lobov is set to make his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut later this month when he takes on Jason Knight. Although the focus is on Knight, Lobov already has his second fight in the works. It has been reported that ‘The Russian Hammer’ will fight former boxing champ, Paulie Malignaggi later this summer, this if he proves victorious against Knight this weekend.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

Given the animosity between new Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) fighters Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov, one had to assume thing might get heated when they ultimately ended up on a room together. That’s just what happened when they crossed paths at a media day in New York on Tuesday.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez is one of several high profile free agents to sign an exclusive, multi-fight deal with ONE Championship of late. “The Underground King” made his debut with the Singapore-based martial arts powerhouse on at ONE: A New Era on Sunday night in Tokyo, Japan. Unfortunately for Eddie Alvarez and his throngs of dedicated fans, this debut ONE Championship fight didn’t go quite as he planned, as he was pummelled to a first-round stoppage by his dangerous opponent, Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

UFC President Dana White recently suggested that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov could return to the cage in September. Speaking to the media in Russia, Nurmagomedov confirmed that this is indeed the plan, and that his potential return could occur in Abu Dhabi. https://twitter.com/RTSportNews/status/1113109500976881667 “What’s the idea behind the September comeback?” a reporter asked the champion. “Is it true you’re going to fight in Abu Dhabi?”

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2019

Last week, Conor McGregor announced his shocking retirement from MMA. The Irishman made the announcement on Twitter, but immediately fans and fighters alike didn’t believe it. Well, now McGregor’s friend and training partner in Artem Lobov says ‘The Notorious” will fight again.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

ONE Championship has signed a host of high profile free agents over the last few months, such as former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez and Vitor Belfort, former UFC stars Sage Northcutt, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Yushin Okami, Muay Thai star Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex, and kickboxing ace Nieky Holzken. Speaking at the ONE: A New Era post-fight press conference on Sunday, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong promised the free agent signings will continue. One possible future ONE signing, he claimed, is kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa, who was cage-side for the event.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

April Fools, which goes down on April 1 each year, is not an easy day for MMA fans. Every time this date rolls around, our social media feeds are inundated with false headlines — and many of us take the bait.

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

Ben Askren was one of several guest fighters in attendance for the recent UFC London card, which was topped by a welterweight scrap between Jorge Masvidal and Darren Till. Apparently, Askren had a bit of a tense run-in with Masvidal during his time in London. The former ONE and Bellator champ compared this run-in with Masvidal to his recent backstage encounter with Kamaru Usman (who he calls ‘Marty.’)

Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019

UFC President Dana White can book any number of compelling matchups at any given time. Of all the possible matchups at his fingertips, however, there are apparently two that excite him most of all. They both include former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor, and they’re both rematches. UFC President Dana White named these two dream fights in a recent interview with LasVegasNOW.com (via TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter).

Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019

There is only one Justin Gaethje. Now 20-2 after his recent fantastic knockout of Edson Barboza in the UFC Philadelphia main event, “The Highlight” continues to live up to his nickname and solidify himself as arguably the most exciting MMA fighter of all time.

Cole Shelton - April 1, 2019

Following his knockout win over Edson Barboza at UFC Philadelphia, Justin Gaethje proclaimed that he is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest challenge. Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez does not agree with that statement. In fact, the longtime AKA head coach believes Gaethje isn’t much of a threat to “The Eagle”.

Mike Pendleton - April 1, 2019

Justin Gaethje has made highlights in every single fight since he joined the UFC, and now UFC commentator Joe Rogan is giving him a title that fits just right. After Gaethje secured his third finish in five UFC fights, knocking out Edson Barboza in the first-round this past weekend at UFC Philadelphia, he’s secured his place as one of the most violent fighters in MMA. In fact, following his incredible performance over Barboza, Rogan labeled Gaethje as the most violent fighter in MMA.

Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019

ONE Championship held their biggest event to date this past weekend with ONE: A New Era which took place live from Tokyo, Japan. The card featured several fantastic match-ups. Two of which included the promotional debuts of former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez. As well as four big title fights.

Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019

Russia’s ‘Leopard,’ Ruslan Magomedov was once considered by many to be the heavyweight division’s best prospect. His incredible speed for one of the big men of the sport was truly a sight to behold as evidenced by his nickname. Unfortunately, he was nothing more than a product of banned substances. On Monday, USADA announced that the 14-1 Magomedov has now been suspended permanently after three violations. Their statement on the sanction can be read in its entirety below.

Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019

“The Warmaster” Josh Barnett holds the record for the youngest heavyweight champion in UFC history. A label he achieved at just 24-years old. Now 41, the Seattle, Washington native isn’t done yet. Barnett revealed today on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he had signed with Bellator MMA… As he did so live on the show. Because today is April 1, also known as April Fool’s Day, there was still speculation despite Helwani’s examining of Barnett’s freshly signed contract. Thus prompting a quick follow up tweet from Bellator President Scott Coker that confirmed the signings legitimacy.