MMA News
Demetrious Johnson issues slick comeback to Henry Cejudo's Twitter attack
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2018
Now that his much discussed superfight with bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw is off the table, Demetrious Johnson’s next fight is expected to be a rematch with former opponent Henry Cejudo, who defeated by first-round TKO in 2016. That said, this rematch is far from set in stone. On Wednesday afternoon, Cejudo took to Twitter in an effort to expedite negotiations for his second crack at the flyweight champ “Mighty Mouse.” He did so by criticizing the champ for his failure to draw significant audiences in previous outings, and for his well-known interest in video games.
Francis Ngannou's coach received death threats after UFC 220, and his response was awesome
Tom Taylor - May 17, 2018
Francis Ngannou entered his UFC 220 title fight with UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic with mountains of hype connected his name. Unfortunately, his showdown with Miocic did not go the way his hype suggested it would. Instead, he was dominated to a five-round unanimous decision loss, and had some fairly serious deficits in the wrestling and cardio departments exposed along the way. In the wake of Ngannou’s failed title bid, people were so disappointed with his performance that they apparently went after his head coach Dewey Cooper on social media, even issuing death threats.
Michael Bisping has no sympathy for Vitor Belfort's loss in retirement bout, "he’s built a career off being a cheat"
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2018
One man who is never short on words is the former UFC middleweight champion, “The Count” Michael Bisping. With former opponent of Bisping’s, Vitor Belfort’s career coming to an end this past Saturday at UFC 224 with a violent knockout loss to Lyoto Machida, Bisping shared his thoughts on the legendary Brazilians departure from the sport on his podcast, Believe You Me.
Henry Cejudo says interim title fight to be made if Joseph Benavidez wins at UFC 225
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2018
Top UFC flyweight contender, Henry Cejudo doesn’t seem so happy. After roasting the champion, Demetrious Johnson earlier today on Twitter, Cejudo continued to detail the recent situation involving him and the champion and even dropped some news of potential future plans for the flyweight division.
Demian Maia gives reason for accepting short-notice fight with Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
If things had gone according to the original plan, surging UFC welterweight contender Kamaru Usman would have battled Argentine striker Santiago Ponzinibbio in the main of the UFC’s debut in Chile, which goes down this Saturday in the capital of Santiago. When Ponzinibbio was forced out of the fight with an injury, however, Usman was left without a dance partner — which opened the door for former welterweight title challenger Demian Maia to step in. As it turns out, this will not actually be Maia’s first trip to Chile. The Brazilian visited the South American country two years ago, on a PR mission with the UFC, educating local journalists and decision makers on the sport of MMA. Given that he did this outreach work in Chile previously, it seemed logical to him to accept the short-notice bout with Usman in the country.
Henry Cejudo roasts Demetrious Johnson with savage Tweet, promises to "kill the mouse"
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
For a time, it looked as though dominant UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and dangerous bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw would collide in a flyweight title super fight this summer. When the negotiations for this fight fizzled out, however, the two champions reset their crosshairs on challenges in their respective divisions. For TJ Dillashaw, that means a UFC 227 rematch with Cody Garbrandt, who he knocked out in November. For Demetrious Johnson, that’s likely to mean a rematch Henry Cejudo, who he knocked out in 2016 — though the date for this rematch has not yet been set. On Wednesday afternoon, Cejudo took to Twitter in an effort to expedite negotiations for his second crack at the flyweight champ “Mighty Mouse.” He did so by criticizing the champ for his failure to draw significant audiences in previous outings, and promised to “kill the mouse.”
Chael Sonnen understands why UFC cut Yair Rodriguez, cites special UFC policy as reason
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
On a recent episode of his Beyond The Fight podcast, MMA analyst and current Bellator star Chael Sonnen delved into the UFC’s extremely controversial choice to cut featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez. While Sonnen had nothing but praise for Rodriguez’s ability, he understands why the UFC had to cut him. Apparently, it all comes down to a UFC policy that all fighters are made aware of. He says Rodriguez violated this policy by turning down two fights.
Rose Namajunas: Mackenzie Dern needs to "get her s**t together"
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
Last weekend, on the main card of UFC 224, BJJ star Mackenzie Dern stepped into the Octagon for the second time, taking on Amanda Bobby Cooper. Dern won this fight in emphatic fashion, dropping her foe with a huge punch in the first round, then sinking in a deep rear-naked choke for the win. Unfortunately, Dern’s win over Cooper comes with an asterisk attached, as she tipped the scales at 123 pounds, a significant seven pounds above the strawweight division’s 116-pound limit.
Daniel Cormier feels there's more on the line at UFC 226 than the heavyweight title
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
At UFC 226, which goes down on July 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada, reigning UFC light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier will return to his former haunts in the heavyweight division for a battle with divisional kingpin Stipe Miocic. If Cormier topples this momentous challenge, he’ll have to make room on his crowded mantle — which is already home to several UFC light heavyweight belts and a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix belt — for a UFC heavyweight belt. Yet for the American Kickboxing Academy staple, there’s far more on the line at UFC 226 then another gold belt. In his eyes, the winner of his bout with Miocic could easily be considered the best pound-for-pound fighter alive.
UFC to debut in Russia with UFC Moscow card on September 15
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
At long last, the UFC has made its debut in Russia official. As previously reported by Denis Geyko of RT Sport, the promotion will take over the Olympic Stadium in the Russian capital of Moscow on September 15. “Russia is a key part of UFC’s international expansion strategy,” UFC Senior Vice President of International and Content David Shaw said of this UFC Moscow card in a Wednesday release. “The demand from our fans to bring a live event to Russia has been overwhelming, and with the vast potential this market holds for us, we knew this was the perfect time to bring UFC Fight Night to Moscow.”
Karolina Kowalkiewicz received an "apology letter" from Conor McGregor, says she won't sue for bus attack
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2018
Back in April, in the buildup to UFC 223, Conor McGregor went berserk in Brooklyn, NY, throwing a dolly through a shuttle bus window in a crazed search for his rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. Unsurprisingly, the Irishman’s rampage left the bus’s passengers — a host of UFC 223 fighters — quite shaken. Some, like Ray Borg and Michael Chiesa, were even injured. In the wake of this incident, McGregor has issued apologies to a number of the fighters that were affected by his rampage. One of the fighters to receive an apology was UFC strawweight champ Rose Namajunas — though she wasn’t having it. Another was UFC strawweight contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz, who seems to have taken the Irishman’s attempt to make amends a little better.
Chael Sonnen not falling for 'scumbag' Fedor Emelianenko's 'nice guy gimmick'
Drake Riggs - May 15, 2018
Believe it or not, it’s really going to happen. If you were told ten years ago…hell, even a year ago that former top-ranked UFC middleweight, Chael Sonnen would one day be fighting the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time and someone that many believe is the greatest of all time across all divisions, Fedor Emelianenko… How absolutely insane would you think that that person was? Welcome to 2018.
Dear MMA Gods | It's not too late for the WEC super fight
Drake Riggs - May 15, 2018
Tis the season for super fights! Christmas is coming early this July as we get a colossal showdown between the UFC’s light heavyweight and heavyweight champions, Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic. Talk about a treat. Other super fights that have been up in the air recently are that of flyweight king, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson vs bantamweight champ, TJ Dillashaw. Then of course, what would be the first ever female super fight pitting featherweight dominator, Cris Cyborg against bantamweight queen, Amanda Nunes. Featherweight…dominator…I like the sound of where this is going…
CSAC has no problems clearing Chuck Liddell to fight as long as he passes his medicals
Drake Riggs - May 15, 2018
‘The Iceman’ is back. Chuck Liddell will compete in an MMA cage once again. But before he can do so, he’s going to have to re-apply for his MMA licenses. Being a native of California, Liddell will likely be applying to the California State Athletic Commission first. Despite now being 48 years of age, CSAC Executive Director, Andy Foster told MMAJunkie that they’ll allow the former UFC light heavyweight champion to fight again as long as he’s healthy enough to do so.
Amanda Cooper shares first thoughts post-UFC 224
Drake Riggs - May 15, 2018
A fight from UFC 224 that became highlighted closer to when the fight drew nearer was the scheduled strawweight tilt between The Ultimate Fighter season 23 finalist, Amanda Cooper and hot prospect and BJJ world champion, Mackenzie Dern. Spotlighted for the wrong reason, the drama came late in UFC 224’s fight week when Dern would miss the strawweight limit by seven pounds. Cooper’s confidence wasn’t rattled though and she still accepted the fight.
MMA veteran Phil Baroni gives interesting take on Chuck Liddell's comeback: It's not up to you
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2018
Yesterday afternoon, on the latest edition of The MMA Hour, 48-year-old MMA legend Chuck Liddell confirmed what we’ve long suspected: After eight years of retirement, he will be returning to the cage. “I will fight again,” Liddell said, point blank, on the show (transcribed by MMA Fighting).
Mackenzie Dern sends message of thanks to Amanda Bobby Cooper: I learned a lot from this
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2018
Last weekend, on the main card of UFC 224, grappling ace Mackenzie Dern stepped into the Octagon for the second time, taking on Amanda Bobby Cooper. Dern won this fight in emphatic fashion, dropping her foe in the first round, then submitting her with a rear-naked choke. Unfortunately, Dern’s win over Cooper comes with an asterisk attached, as she tipped the scales at 123 pounds, a significant seven pounds above the strawweight division’s 116-pound limit.
VIDEO | Nick Diaz drains his elbow over a sink... and it's nasty
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/DaveMMAdden/status/995868504636047360 What do you do when you’re a fighter, and you’ve got a buildup of fluid in your elbow? Well, you could certainly go to the doctor’s office and have it drained by a professional. Or, you could do it the Nick Diaz way, and drain that bloated ‘bow over a kitchen sink. Just don’t forget to film the ordeal and posted it on social media for all the world to see!