MMA News
Valentina Shevchenko hoping to fight soon... Whether it's against Jessica Eye or not
Drake Riggs - February 14, 2019
The UFC’s female flyweight division crowned its second-ever champion late last year when Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231. And after a longer layoff than she would have preferred on the road to her title shot, she now looks to be an active fighting champion.
Report | Lawsuit filed against Ali Abdelaziz and Vitaly Minakov for breach of contract
Drake Riggs - February 14, 2019
Former Bellator heavyweight king, the unbeaten 21-0 Vitaly Minakov returns to the Bellator cage this Saturday night at Bellator 216 in Uncasville, Connecticut. However, he won’t be returning without some controversy following him.
Bellator 215 weigh-in results: Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov hit marks
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
Tomorrow night, Bellator MMA will return to our screens with Bellator 215 — the first of two cards from the promotion this weekend. This card will be headlined by a fan friendly heavyweight showdown between UFC veteran Matt Mitrione and PRIDE veteran Sergei Kharitonov.
More reasons to watch UFC on ESPN 1
Mike Straus - February 14, 2019
This Sunday, the Octagon touches down in the desert, as Cain Velasquez will make his return against Francis Ngannou in the headlining bout of UFC on ESPN 1 in Phoenix. Sure, many fans are going to be tuning in on Sunday to see if Cain Velasquez can return to his former form, but in all honesty, all 13 fights slated for the event are solid. Case in point: former bantamweight champion Renan Barão is competing in the second fight of the night.
Francis Ngannou will be 'well prepared' for Cain Velasquez's wrestling
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
This Sunday, in Phoenix, Arizona, former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou will face the monumental task of welcoming former champion Cain Velasquez back to the cage. The bout will serve as the headliner of the UFC’s first-ever card on ESPN. Heading into this fight, each fighter seems to have a clear set of advantages. Ngannou is believed to posses a major advantage in the power department (it’s been said that he hits as hard as a Ford Escort, though Velasquez doesn’t seem worried). Cain Velasquez, on the other hand, seems like a clear frontrunner in the wrestling department.
Report | Patricio Freire to battle Michael Chandler in Bellator champ vs. champ fight
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
According to a report from ESPN, Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire will move up in weight to challenge lightweight champion Michael Chandler at Bellator 221 on May 11 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The pair’s grudge match will reportedly be officially announced by the promotion in the coming days.
CM Punk still in USADA testing pool, featured in new series
James Lynch - February 14, 2019
CM Punk appears to still be on the UFC roster. That’s according to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter who noted that Punk (real name Phil Brooks) is still in the USADA testing pool.
Robert Whittaker encourages Adesanya and Gastelum to fight Yoel Romero if they 'want something to do'
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
On Saturday afternoon — mere hours before his scheduled fight with Kelvin Gastelum — UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker was rushed to the hospital for surgery as the result of a collapsed hernia. The champ is now facing a potentially lengthy recovery. Bad news for Gastelum, who is still waiting for his title shot, and surging contender Israel Adesanya, who also deserves a shot at gold. Luckily, Robert Whittaker has a suggestion for these two contenders, should they get bored while he recovers: fight Yoel Romero.
Daniel Cormier criticizes Stipe Miocic for not taking another fight: 'That's crazy'
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
In July of 2018, Daniel Cormier ended the record-breaking UFC heavyweight title reign of Stipe Miocic, stealing the champ’s belt with a strafing of first-round punches. Now more than six months later, Stipe Miocic still hasn’t returned to the cage, instead demanding an immediate rematch with the new champion.
Robert Whittaker comments on Kelvin Gastelum's health issues ahead of UFC 234
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and top contender Kelvin Gastelum were supposed to fight in the main event of UFC 234 last weekend. Regrettably, Whittaker was forced out of this bout and hospitalized with a hernia on the very day of the card. Despite his fight being cancelled Kelvin Gastelum still attended this card, and post-event, masqueraded around the arena with a UFC title belt borrowed from flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.
The UFC hilariously trolls Ben Askren on social media
Chris Taylor - February 13, 2019
Former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren will make his highly anticipated octagon debut at next month’s UFC 235 event against Robbie Lawler. Askren was most recently seen in action in November of 2017, where he defeated mixed martial arts legend Shinya Aoki via first-round TKO under the ONE Championship banner.
Robert Whittaker released from hospital, return time depends on recovery
Drake Riggs - February 13, 2019
UFC 234 was looking to be a perfect event on the Friday night prior to. All fighters had weighed in and hit their respective marks in their divisions. Everything was good to go. That was until fight day.
UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith Fight Card and Start Times
Chris Taylor - February 13, 2019
Jon Jones will put his newly acquired light heavyweight title on the line in the main event of UFC 235 against surging division contender Anthony Smith. UFC 235 takes place March 2 live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
More reasons why you should tune into the Bellator double-header this weekend
Mike Straus - February 13, 2019
It is a great time to be a mixed martial arts fan. With so many exciting events this weekend it can be difficult to catch them all. With that being said, Bellator MMA has not one, but two events this weekend. Friday night will kick off the festivities for the promotion as Bellator 215 invades the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The very next night, the promotion will be back at the Mohegan Sun for Bellator 216.
Cain Velasquez impressed by Stipe Miocic, but not convinced he should 'get a title shot right away'
Tom Taylor - February 13, 2019
A lot has changed in the heavyweight division since former champion Cain Velasquez last stepped into the cage. Perhaps most notably, Stipe Miocic burst into title contention, captured the title, and defended it a record-breaking three straight times. Although Stipe Miocic broke the record for the most consecutive defenses of the UFC heavyweight title, he ultimately lost his title to Velasquez training partner Daniel Cormier, who still holds the belt today. Since then, Miocic has been adamant that he deserves an immediate rematch with Cormier based on his previous dominance as champion.
Artem Lobov signs six-figure deal with Bareknuckle Fighting Championship, debuts against fellow UFC vet Jason Knight
Tom Taylor - February 13, 2019
Artem Lobov has found a new home. The Conor McGregor training partner has signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC) — not to be confused with WBKFF. He will make his BKFC debut opposite another fan favorite UFC veteran in Jason “The Kid” Knight on April 20.
PHOTO | Mirko Cro Cop is looking jacked ahead of Bellator 216
Chris Taylor - February 13, 2019
Mixed martial arts legend Mirko Cro Cop (37-11-2 MMA) will make his Bellator MMA debut on February 16 against fellow veteran and knockout artist Roy Nelson. The bout will serve as a rematch, as Cro Cop and Nelson first met back at UFC 137 in October of 2011, with “Big Country” emerging victorious by way of TKO in round three.
UFC on ESPN 1: Velasquez vs. Ngannou Fight Card and Start Time
Tom Taylor - February 13, 2019
On Sunday, February 17, the UFC will make its debut on ESPN with an exciting, 13-fight card. In the main event of this debut UFC on ESPN card, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon, where he will battle ferocious knockout puncher Francis Ngannou in an cage-shaking showdown.