MMA News
Top 5 Upcoming Fights for August 2018
Drake Riggs - July 31, 2018
July was an awesome month of MMA. So awesome that its top 5 was actually kind of a top 6…! But unfortunately, it turned back into a top 5 as we did lose one of the top bouts in the featherweight title clash pitting champion Max Holloway against the challenger Brian Ortega. Closing out the Summer with the month of August we get some very solid matchups. Not a lot of name value but hey, it’s the action inside the cage that really matters.
Under the MMA Microscope | Which fighters left the UFC on their terms and why?
Drake Riggs - July 31, 2018
The UFC is MMA’s pinnacle when it comes to where fighters aspire to be. It’s the top of the mountain, yet for one reason or another, fighters have chosen against it. In 2018, the UFC isn’t as much the end all be all in the MMA world as it once was 15 years ago. The worldwide growth of the sport has become absolutely incredible as evidenced by promotions like KSW, ONE, RIZIN, Bellator, PFL, Combate Americas, ACB and the list goes on and on.
Paulo Costa confident he could KO Robert Whittaker or Yoel Romero inside 2 rounds
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
Back in June, in the main event of UFC 225, UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker stepped into the cage with Yoel Romero. Though Romero was not eligible to win the title due to his failure to make the 185-pound limit for middleweight title fights, the pair delivered an absolutely unforgettable fight, pelting each other with heavy artillery for five wild rounds. While this fight impressed most onlookers, however, it didn’t impress rising contender Paulo Costa. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Paulo Costa assured that, if he’d fought the version of Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero that fought at UFC 225, he’d have stopped both — before the third round.
Darren Till explains why Colby Covington isn't getting the next crack at Tyron Woodley
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is now set to defend his title at UFC 228 on September 8 in Dallas. Yet he will not defend it against current interim welterweight champion Colby Covington. Instead, he’s poised to defend his strap against surging British contender Darren Till, which means that Covington will soon be stripped of his interim title. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show this week, Darren Till gave his take on why Colby Covington didn’t get the next crack at Tyron Woodley and the undisputed title. According to Till, Covington was just asking for a little bit too much in the negotiations for a potential fight with Woodley.
Conor McGregor reacts to Jose Aldo's big win at UFC Calgary: I'm so happy for him
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
Last weekend, in the co-main event of UFC on Fox 30 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo rebounded from back-to-back losses with a first-round TKO win over the dangerous Jeremy Stephens. It was incredibly emotional win for Jose Aldo, and a feel-good moment for his legions of fans. Apparently, it was also a feel good moment for Conor McGregor, one of Aldo’s fiercest rivals, and the man who ended his legendary title reign.
Manager: Khabib Nurmagomedov deserves at least $10 million for Conor McGregor fight
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
The UFC is currently working on a massive lightweight title fight between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former champion Conor McGregor. If this fight is going to happen, however, they’re going to have to make it worth Conor McGregor’s while, who recently deposited north of $100 million in his bank account for fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. In the boxing ring.
Khabib Nurmagomedov calls Georges St-Pierre the "greatest competitor in the UFC of all time"
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
There are a number of exciting possibilities on UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s horizon. One of those options is a showdown with former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov has called St-Pierre out on several occasions in the past. For the lightweight champ, the appeal of the fight seems to be that St-Pierre would be a very challenging matchup. In fact, Khabib Nurmagomedov considers Georges St-Pierre the greatest competitor in UFC history.
Cody Garbrandt is still interested in dropping to flyweight to challenge 'Mighty Mouse'
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2018
During Cody Garbrandt’s reign as UFC bantamweight champion, there was much discussion surrounding his potential move down to the 125-pound flyweight division to challenge dominant divisional kingpin Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. Today, as Garbrandt readies to attempt to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title from TJ Dillashaw, the man who ended his reign, he’s still interested in a future flyweight title fight with Johnson. The UFC will just have to make it worth his while.
Cody Garbrandt reflects on UFC 217, talks fighter pay, 'Something’s gotta change'
Drake Riggs - July 30, 2018
At UFC 217 we witnessed one of the most anticipated grudge matches of the year and the bantamweight gold was on the line. That fight, of course, being the battle between heated former teammates TJ Dillashaw and the then champion, Cody Garbrandt.
Max Holloway gives update, expects return by year's end, 'This wasn't a weight cut thing'
Drake Riggs - July 30, 2018
We lost out on one of MMA’s most highly anticipated matchups in the lead up of UFC 226’s fight week. But in the end, it was for fighter safety. Showing concussion-like symptoms prior to his showdown with Brian Ortega, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was removed from the card.
Report | Derek Brunson vs Israel Adesanya close to finalization for UFC 230
Drake Riggs - July 30, 2018
UFC 230 is already setting up to be an unofficial middleweight tournament and the bracket only appears to be getting bigger. Already added to the November 3rd Madison Square Garden event is a trio of awesome 185-pound clashes. Most notably is the recent title challenger Yoel Romero taking on the red-hot rising contender, Paulo Costa.
Coach admits he accidentally advised Eddie Alvarez to throw a 12-6 elbow: "I feel horrible"
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
Eddie Alvarez’s UFC on Fox 30 rematch with Dustin Poirier did not go the way he planned. Instead, the all-action lightweight star was swarmed and TKO’d in the second round. That said, Alvarez was not without his moments in the fight. In fact, it could even be argued that Alvarez was soundly in control of the fight until he landed an illegal 12-6 elbow from full mount, which prompted referee Marc Goddard to stand the fight. It was shortly after this standup that Alvarez was defeated, after all.
Chance to retake the strawweight throne still in play for Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Jordy McElroy - July 30, 2018
The mantra is typically two strikes and you’re out when referring to title opportunities in combat sports, but things have obviously escalated to a traditional baseball sense when breaking down the scalding feud between UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and former titleholder Joanna Jedrzejczyk. It could take three strikes before Jedrzejczyk is out.
Three exciting fights announced for UFC Sao Paulo
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
On September 22, the UFC will return to the mixed martial arts hotbed of Sao Paulo, Brazil. This UFC Sao Paulo card is coming together quickly. On Sunday, the promotion announced a trio of new bouts for this UFC Sao Paulo card, featuring a number of former MMA champions and title challengers.
Report | Khabib Nurmagomedov confirms "Conor's next," suggests Poirier vs. Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
There is no shortage of options for UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s first title defense. The most likely option of course, is former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who was ultimately stripped of both titles for inactivity. McGregor was recently tied up with a legal debacle stemming from his crazed April rampage in Brooklyn, but is essentially now clear to compete if he so chooses.
EXCLUSIVE | Phil Baroni explains the difference between PRIDE fighters and today's fighters
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
On October 20, fan favorite MMA veterans Phil Baroni and Chris Leben will step through the ropes to battle in a bareknuckle boxing match. While this matchup has generated a bit of controversy among fans, mainly due to Leben’s recent health problems, it’s one that has Baroni very excited. In Leben, Phil Baroni sees a kindred spirit. He considers himself and Leben to be the last of a dying breed; remnants of a vanishing warrior class that thrived not just on ability but on extreme toughness and strength of will.
EXCLUSIVE | Phil Baroni wants to fight TRT-fuelled Vitor Belfort
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
Phil Baroni’s next challenge will occur in October, when he steps into the ring for a bareknuckle bout with a fellow veteran Chris Leben. For Baroni, this bareknuckle battle with Leben, a durable, ferocious, bona fide fighter, is just what the doctor ordered. Yet this isn’t the only prospective scrap that interests Baroni.
Daniel Cormier believes Brock Lesnar win will make him one of the best heavyweights ever
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2018
Daniel Cormier, who now owns the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, is expected to defend his heavyweight belt against Brock Lesnar in the new year. While this fight is sure to be huge, many fans feel that Brock Lesnar should not be anywhere near a heavyweight title shot. Many of these same fans feel that the first shot at Cormier’s title should go to Stipe Miocic — the very many Cormier beat to win that title.