MMA News

Tom Taylor - April 11, 2018

Earlier this week, news surfaced that former Strikeforce welterweight champ and UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz had accepted a one-year sanction after failing to appear for three mandated United States Anti-Doping Agency drug tests—a violation of the agency’s “UFC Whereabouts Policy”. This suspension is retroactive to April 19, 2017, which means that it will be over on April 19, 2018. After that date, Diaz will be free to begin competing in the UFC again, should he so choose. USADA announced today that Nick Diaz, of Stockton, Calif., has accepted a one-year sanction for a violation of the UFC® Anti-Doping Policy resulting from three unsuccessful test attempts during a 12-month period,” a Monday USADA release on the matter read.

Tom Taylor - April 11, 2018

Back in November, dominating UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk lost her title to Rose Namajunas, succumbing to first-round punches. Last weekend, in the co-main event of UFC 223, she failed to reclaim that title from Namajunas in an anticipated rematch, giving up a very close decision loss. Now 0-2 against the champion Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk finds herself in a tough spot in the strawweight division. Luckily for her, a fresh start in the 125-pound flyweight division is just 10 pounds away.

Drake Riggs - April 10, 2018

If there’s a topic, you can bet that top UFC lightweight contender, Kevin Lee will most likely have an opinion on it. The young and outspoken 16-3 155-pounder has made his goals quite evident since entering the world’s premier MMA organization: win the title to become a world champion.

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

In her new novel, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life, UFC flyweight Paige VanZant shares a heartrending account of the time she was raped at 14 years old. Speaking during an appearance on Good Morning America, the flyweight opened up on this harrowing ordeal, which occurred when she was invited to a party by an older guy.

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

Conor McGregor‘s crazed rampage in Brooklyn generated a tidal wave of scorn, as dozens of notable members of the MMA community have spoken out against his actions. One of the latest to do so was Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer, who went off on the Irishman in an airport interview with TMZ.

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

Shortly after Conor McGregor‘s Thursday rampage in Brooklyn, former UFC lightweight Tyson Griffin took to Twitter to compare the Irishman to another troubled former champion in Jon Jones. https://twitter.com/TysonGriffin/status/981997749267607553

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

Last Thursday, Conor McGregor arrived at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York—the host venue for UFC 223—and all hell broke loose. Even by McGregor standards, it was a terrible scene, as the Irishman and his cronies attacked a shuttle bus containing a number of UFC 223 fighters. In video footage of the fracas, McGregor could be seen shelling the bus with whatever he could get his hands on, including a dolly, which he used to smash the back window of the vehicle.

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

Yesterday afternoon, news surfaced that former Strikeforce welterweight champ and UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz had accepted a one-year sanction after failing to appear for three mandated United States Anti-Doping Agency drug tests, a violation of the agency’s “UFC Whereabouts Policy”. This suspension is retroactive to April 19, 2017, which means that it will be over on April 19, 2018. After that date, Diaz will be free to begin competing in the UFC again, should he so choose. USADA announced today that Nick Diaz, of Stockton, Calif., has accepted a one-year sanction for a violation of the UFC® Anti-Doping Policy resulting from three unsuccessful test attempts during a 12-month period,” a USADA release on the matter read.

Tom Taylor - April 10, 2018

Last weekend, in the main event of UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov captured the UFC lightweight title with a decision win over last-minute replacement opponent Al Iaquinta. While Nurmagomedov’s title win, which moved him to an insane 26-0 overall, wasn’t entirely flawless, it did strengthen his reputation as a seemingly unbeatable fighter. While many fight fans are becoming increasingly doubtful that Nurmagomedov can be stopped, former UFC lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez isn’t buying it. In fact, he believes he’s the man to beat Khabib—and he thinks we all know it too.

Drake Riggs - April 9, 2018

During the UFC 223 fight week this past week, along with all the drama surrounding that event, the UFC also held a press conference for their next big lineup of events. Somewhat similar to the “Time Is Now” and “Summer Kickoff” pressers we’ve seen in recent years. These style of press conferences feature all of the headliners for the upcoming events as well as all title fight participants. One of which included the likes of top welterweight contenders and rather outspoken, Colby Covington who stole the show as per usual.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Former Strikeforce welterweight champ and UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz will soon be able to fight again. The elder Diaz brother has accepted a one-year sanction after failing to appear for three mandated United States Anti-Doping Agency drug tests, a violation of the agency’s “UFC Whereabouts Policy”. This suspension is retroactive to April 19, 2017, which means that it will be over on April 19, 2018. After that date, Diaz will be free to begin competing in the UFC again, should he so choose.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has always been quite touchy about her MMA losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Having authored an absolutely thrilling win at WrestleMania 34 last night, however, she seems to have immediately changed her tune. “It was me versus the world in an individual sport,” Rousey told ESPN of her MMA career shortly after WrestleMania last night. “I thought I would never say this, but I’m so happy I lost those fights [to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes] because it led me here. This is so worth it.”

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Shortly after Conor McGregor’s Thursday afternoon rampage in Brooklyn, New York, UFC President Dana White shared the details of his latest conversation with the Irishman. “Conor and I talked through text yesterday,” White said on First Things First. “Probably the worst conversation we’ve had, but yeah, we talked yesterday before he turned himself in.”

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

For a few days, it looked as though UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway would battle Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC 223 card. Regrettably, however, Holloway was forced out of this contest by the New York State Athletic Commission when his weight cut was deemed to have gone awry. With this brief plan for a lightweight title shot now in the rear-view, Holloway is now keen to defend his featherweight title—ideally against Brian Ortega, who was also offered a short notice bout against Nurmagomedov.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Last Saturday, in the main event of the seemingly cursed UFC 223 card, undefeated lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov captured the UFC lightweight title with a lopsided unanimous decision win over last-minute replacement opponent Al Iaquinta. As always, Nurmagomedov’s world class grappling acumen served as a significant catalyst for his victory. This time around, however, Nurmagomedov’s striking—particularly his jab—also helped win him the fight. Though he was believed to be at a significant disadvantage on the feet against Iaquinta, the Russian spent significant portions of the fight engaging his foe in a striking battle, and surprisingly performed quite well.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Last night, amid the exciting WrestleMania 34 festivities, former UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey partook in her first WWE match, teaming up with fellow Olympian Kurt Angle to thrash HHH and Stephanie McMahon. Leading up to her WrestleMania debut, Rousey had throngs of doubters and naysayers, who felt she was destined to disappoint in the squared circle. In the end, however, she silenced these doubters in the most emphatic way possible, performing with dazzling speed, athleticism and charisma throughout her match.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

On Thursday afternoon, UFC lightweight star Conor McGregor showed up at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY, and launched a ridiculous attack on a shuttle bus carrying a number of the fighters on the UFC 223 bill. The Irishman’s bizarre rampage crescendoed with him throwing a hand truck through the back-right window of the bus, causing injuries to two UFC 223 fighters, who were ultimately forced off the card as a result.  While many passengers on the bus were rightfully disturbed by McGregor’s assault, strawweight star Karolina Kowalkiewicz, who authored a dominant defeat of Felice Herrig on the UFC 223 undercard, was not. Why? Well, because she’s from Poland.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2018

Joe Rogan’s commentary during the UFC 223 main event, which saw Khabib Nurmagomedov defeat a last-minute opponent in Al Iaquinta, drew the ire of many MMA fans. The criticism was that Rogan’s commentary leaned to far in the direction of Iaquinta, and simultaneously disparaged the skill of Nurmagomedov. Late on Sunday night, Joe Rogan responded to this backlash, offering an explanation—and an apology—in a lengthy Instagram post.