MMA News

Jason Kindschy - February 28, 2019

We kick things off with the surging UFC welterweight coming off a fight of year candidate in his win over Bryan Barberena at UFC Phoenix, “The Silent Assassin” Vicente Luque. We’ll recap the sensational win over Barberena, discuss what’s next for him, and hear why he chose to call out Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal.

Cole Shelton - February 28, 2019

Ben Askren is set to finally make his long-awaited UFC debut on Saturday night when he takes on the former champion, Robbie Lawler at UFC 235. Askren will be fighting at 170 pounds, but he believes he could be fight at 165-pounds sooner rather than later. While UFC President Dana White has denied plans for a 165-pound division on numerous occasions, Askren isn’t buying it. He believes the UFC has already decided to launch the division. Why? Because White denied it.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

A pair of Jon Jones drug tests, administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) ahead of his UFC 235 fight with Anthony Smith, have once again detected traces of the M3 metabolite, a component of oral turinabol. John Morgan of MMAjunkie reported this development on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

At long last, Ben Askren is finally a UFC fighter. That means that, as he gears up for his UFC 235 showdown with Robbie Lawler, he has to wear Reebok. That’s thanks to the UFC’s exclusive outfitting deal with the sports apparel giant. Unfortunately for Ben Askren, this UFC-Reebok deal pays out on a scale based on Octagon experience. Because he is making his UFC debut, that means he’s set to earn the lowest amount possible under the arrangement.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

There’s recently been a ton of buzz surrounding a potential lightweight showdown between fan favorite contender Donald Cerrone and former champion Conor McGregor. On Thursday morning, Donald Cerrone gave us reason to believe this fight could be happening quite soon, in the heat of International Fight Week.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

Earlier this week, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and top contender Anthony Smith once again came face to face ahead of their compelling UFC 235 main event showdown. Speaking to MMA Fighting shortly thereafter, Jon Jones divulged that he might have spotted a weakness during this latest staredown with Anthony Smith.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

If Jon Jones is able to defeat Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC 235 this weekend — the oddsmakers certainly believe he will — it will open the door to more marquee matchups in the light heavyweight division, and perhaps even the heavyweight division. Arguably the two biggest matchups available for a victorious Jones going forward would be a rematch with his arch rival, heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, and a showdown with former heavyweight champ and WWE star Brock Lesnar.

Tom Taylor - February 28, 2019

One of the most compelling features of this Saturday’s UFC 235 card is a featherweight scrap between veteran knockout artist Jeremy Stephens and rising contender Zabit Magomedsharipov. With the fight just days away, the pair had an interesting backstage encounter in Las Vegas.

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

It has been six years since the former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (25-8) competed in a bout that took place at 205-pounds. However, that appears to be changing for his upcoming fight. According to ESPN, a light heavyweight bout between Machida and the three-time UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) is currently being finalized for an event to be determined. Both fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the bout.

Thomas Taylor - February 27, 2019

Earlier this month, in the main event of the UFC’s first-ever card on ESPN, former UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez returned from a three-year absence to take on deadly puncher Francis Ngannou. Unfortunately, the long-awaited return of the former champion did not go quite the way he planned. Instead, he found himself wilting under a storm of Ngannou punches less than 30 seconds into the first round, clutching in agony onto visibly injured knee.

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

Earlier this week, it was reported that UFC Hall of Famer and former two-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes’ wife Audra, and brother Mark had filed restraining orders against him citing several incidents for their reasoning. The details of the incidents are grim as multiple incidents are claimed to have seen Hughes attacking Audra, who has also filed for divorce.

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

Reports came out today that Paige VanZant’s initial opponent at UFC 236 in Poliana Botelho was injured and off the card. Replacing her would be Montana De La Rosa who is fresh off of yet another submission win at UFC 234. However, De La Rosa has now confirmed that the fight is not happening and those reports are false. “I guess [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard] wanted to make that fight between me and Paige,” De La Rosa told to BJPENN.com. “But now Paige is claiming her arm is hurt so she can’t fight that Poliana girl or me so we aren’t sure what is happening. As of now, she is hurt so that is not true. I’m just waiting to hear. They do want to make that fight with Paige and I but she is claiming she is hurt. I’m not really sure what is going on now.”

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

The last time we saw ‘The Mo-Town Phenom’ Kevin Lee (17-4) in action he was headlining the very last UFC card on the Fox network, UFC on Fox 31 in Milwaukie, Wisconsin. Unfortunately for Lee, he wouldn’t end up walking away as the last person to win on the Fox network.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

Heading into his UFC 235 headlining battle with UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, Anthony Smith has been counted out by a significant portion of the MMA world. That includes the oddsmakers, who have pegged him as a significant betting underdog. Yet when Anthony Smith looks at Jon Jones, he doesn’t see the unbeatable fighter that so many others see. He seems a person who can be beaten any number of ways.

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

The UFC returned to our screens on Saturday with the exciting UFC Prague card. In the main event, Thiago Santos took on Jan Blachowicz in an important light heavyweight fight that would propel the winner into title contention.

Mike Pendleton - February 27, 2019

UFC 235 will be headlined by a pair of title fights, as Jon Jones defends his title against Anthony Smith, and Tyron Woodley looks to fend off Kamaru Usman. But the fireworks kick off far earlier than that. In the first bout of the UFC 235 main card, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns to the Octagon, where he’ll look to correct a two-fight skid after losing the title to bitter rival TJ Dillashaw. In a rivalry that not only cost him his title, but consumed over a year of his fighting career, Garbrandt finds himself on the road to redemption and glory, as he looks to get back to what made him so special when he became champion.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

The Fight Gods giveth and the Fight Gods taketh away. These eternally merciless deities have accepted their latest sacrifice in the form of a compelling UFC 235 bantamweight fight between Marlon “Chito” Vera and Frankie Saenz. This unfortunate news, a product of illness, was first reported by @TalkMMA on Twitter on Tuesday night and subsequently announced on UFC.com on Wednesday morning.

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

Cody Stamann was preparing to fight in March before the UFC even called him. Then, about a month he was offered the chance to fight at UFC 235, where he is set to take on Alejandro Perez. Stamann, who is coming off of a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in September is confident he was what it takes to beat Perez. Frankly, Stamann doesn’t even think Perez is that good.