MMA News
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.
Top 5 Upcoming fights for April 2019
Drake Riggs - April 2, 2019
2019 rolls on forward and with each new month comes plenty of great new fights to get excited for. April is no different. Let’s not beat around the bush. Here are the top 5 upcoming fights for April 2019.
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.
Ray Borg details hospital visit prior to UFC Philadelphia
James Lynch - April 2, 2019
Many were puzzled to see Ray Borg miss weight ahead of UFC on ESPN 2 but now we know why. Despite competing a division class up at bantamweight, Borg missed the 135-pound limit (clocking in at 137.5 pounds) but according to the former UFC title challenger it was just another case of bad luck. As he explained on Monday’s The Luke Thomas Show Borg says his hotel didn’t have sauna or steam room so he was forced to make his own. This is where the trouble started.
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.
Ben Askren details London run-in with 'irate' Jorge Masvidal
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.’)
Dana White names his two dream fights in the UFC
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).
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes shot at 'jealous wife' Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2019
On Tuesday morning, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow, where he partook in a Q&A session with students. Economics, however, was not the main topic of discussion. As it seemingly always does, the conversation inevitably drifted in the direction of Nurmagomedov’s arch rival Conor McGregor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach says Justin Gaethje isn't much of a threat
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”.
Joe Rogan labels Justin Gaethje the most violent fighter in MMA
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.
Ken Hasegawa suffers nasty injury in loss to Aung La N Sang at ONE: A New Era
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.
Dana White planning to figure things out with Conor McGregor in coming weeks
Drake Riggs - April 1, 2019
Last Monday, former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion Conor McGregor tweeted out that he was calling it a career. However, not everyone is sold on that notion. That includes UFC President Dana White. McGregor has recently mentioned wanting his share in the UFC to compete in anything less than main event bouts. Obviously, this is a bit of an extreme idea.
Josh Barnett signs with Bellator
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.
UFC Philadelphia winner Maryna Moroz calls out Paige VanZant
James Lynch - April 1, 2019
Moving up to flyweight paid off for Maryna Moroz this past Saturday at UFC Philadelphia The “Iron Lady” put a halt to the Sabina Mazo hype train, defeating the Kings MMA standout by unanimous decision and handing the 22-year-old her first professional loss. Moroz picked up her first victory since Aug. 2016 and likely saved her job with the Las Vegas based promotion.