MMA News
Conor McGregor once again takes aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov, this time over steroids
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
Lightweight rivals Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have really been ramping up the trash talk lately, and that trend isn’t showing any signs of stopping. On Wednesday morning, McGregor took to Twitter where he reacted to the news that UFC heavyweight Ruslan Magomedov, a training partner and countryman of Nurmagomedov, has been hit with a lifetime ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Tyron Woodley plans to emulate GSP on road back to welterweight title
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
After lengthy reign as the UFC welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley is now without a title belt. The former champ lost this distinction at UFC 235, when he was thumped to a decision defeat by Kamaru Usman. That being said, Woodley’s journey is far from over. The former champion is determined to reclaim the UFC welterweight belt, and seeks to emulate Georges St-Pierre as he looks to rebound from his setback against Usman.
Ricardo Lamas returns to action against Calvin Kattar at UFC 238
James Lynch - April 3, 2019
“The Bully” is getting another homecoming. Ricardo Lamas will fight in Chicago for the third time in his career as he faces rising prospect Calvin Kattar at UFC 238 on June 8. The Chicago Tribune was the first to report the news. Ricardo Lamas (19-7) snapped a two-fight losing streak in his last bout, finishing Darren Elkins via TKO at UFC Fight Night 140 in November. The former featherweight title challenger will be looking for two-straight wins for the first time since July 2017. Prior to the win over Elkins, Lamas lost a split decision to Mirsad Bektic at UFC 225 and was finished in the first round by Josh Emmett at UFC on FOX 26. The 36-year-old has fought the likes of Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes and Max Holloway during his UFC career. Lamas has only gone the distance once in his last five fights. Currently the Chicago native is ranked #11 in the featherweight division.
VIDEO | New footage shows Kamaru Usman and Ali Abdelaziz confront Colby Covington in Vegas
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
Shortly after UFC 235 wrapped up, there was a heated confrontation inside The Palms casino, as UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz confronted top welterweight contender Colby Covington. This confrontation ultimately got somewhat violent, as video revealed the manager Abdelaziz actually took a swing at Covington.
Alexander Volkov withdraws from UFC St. Petersburg headliner, Alistair Overeem now meets Alexey Oleynik
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
The main event of the UFC’s April 20 debut in St. Petersburg, Russia, has experienced a pretty significant change. The card was originally supposed to be headlined by a heavyweight showdown between former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem and former Bellator heavyweight champ Alexander Volkov. But now, Volkov has been forced off the card and replaced by Russian grappler Alexey Oleynik. This news was first reported by Ariel Helwani of ESPN.
Paulie Malignaggi fires back at Conor McGregor, vows to put Artem Lobov in a coma
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, at a press conference in New York, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) fighters Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov got into a heated scuffle (see it here). This scuffle began with some face-to-face trash talk, and reached a climax when Malignaggi slapped Lobov and the pair had to be separated.
Conor McGregor responds after Paulie Malignaggi slaps teammate Artem Lobov
Christopher Taylor - April 2, 2019
Conor McGregor was not happy when he caught wind that his former sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi had slapped his longtime friend Artem Lobov. The incident occurred at Tuesday’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships media day scrum. After a verbal altercation, things got physical when Paulie decided to slap the “Russian Hammer” across the face. The two BKFC combatants were forced to be separated.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's Manager fires back at Conor McGregor following controversial comments
Christopher Taylor - April 2, 2019
Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has fired back at Conor McGregor following the Irishman’s controversial posts on social media. Earlier this evening, Conor McGregor took to Twitter where he posted photos of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s wife, this while referring to her as a “towel”.
Twitter Reacts to Paulie Malignaggi Slapping Artem Lobov
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.
Brendan Schaub on new UFC ESPN PPV deal: 'The entertainment era is officially over'
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.
Report | UFC signs Abubakar Nurmagomedov
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.
Artem Lobov reacts after being slapped by Paulie Malignaggi
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.
VIDEO | Artem Lobov and Paulie Malignaggi scuffle at NY media day
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.
Eddie Alvarez reacts to ONE Championship loss to Timofey Nastyukhin
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.
Khabib Nurmagomedov names potential opponent, location for return
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?”
Artem Lobov says Conor McGregor will fight again
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.
Chatri Sityodtong suggests ONE Championship could potentially sign Tenshin Nasukawa
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.
Here's how MMA stars pranked us on April Fools 2019
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.