MMA News

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2018

The UFC’s return to Orlando, which will see the Octagon touch down in the Amway Center this Saturday night, has been rocked by a last-minute fight cancellation, as Brazil’s Gilbert Burns has been pulled from his lightweight bout with Canada’s Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Burns was pulled from this contest amid concerns that he could safely cut the remaining pounds required to make the lightweight division’s 156-pound cap. This news was first reported by FloCombat, and later confirmed by MMAJunkie, who acquired a statement on the issue from the UFC.

Justin Golightly - February 21, 2018

Yoel Romero is on cloud nine after his finish of Luke Rockhold. All signs point to a rematch between him and Robert Whittaker for the middleweight title going down, the big question now is where will it happen? The Chicago card in June has been talked about, but now it looks like Miami is a real possibility. With their big Cuban population, that could mean a huge draw for a Romero main event. It’s an idea that Romero is really excited about. Who knows, maybe Joey Diaz might be in attendance? “I don’t have an idea [of the date of my title shot against Robert Whittaker]. Maybe July? I don’t know when. I hear he’s sick, he’s feeling no good, he’s feeling very bad. I pray for him. I’m waiting. I’m waiting for him. Thank you God, [my leg is] good. I think a lot about [how I’m able to keep this up at my age]. I try to stay [living] a very clean life and very quiet, but I think this is God. Believe me, I think it’s God. It’s God.”

Justin Golightly - February 21, 2018

We haven’t seen Yair Rodriguez since his lost to Frankie Edgar in the second round in May of last year at UFC 211. After stacking up six-fight win streak — eight if you count his non-UFC wins before signing — suddenly it was back to the drawing board for the hyped prospect. It is a place that Edgar has put many hopeful contenders, what they do once they are sent back there makes a difference in their careers. It seems like Yair Rodriguez is making all the right moves, figuratively and literally. “I’ve been analyzing myself and have come to realizations on what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. I went back home to Mexico, where my family opened a business less than six months ago. I’ve been building some apartment buildings there. I’m just taking some time for myself, and that’s why you haven’t seen me. I just fought Frankie Edgar, who is next to fight for the title. That means something. I was on a six-fight win streak before that. I want to be the f-cking best, and I will show it. I am confident. People around me, who have seen me train, they will tell you. I’m not a f-cking joke.”

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2018

Earlier this month, middleweight contender Derek Brunson issued a compelling callout of former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. I gotta go to the Fox studio to find @bisping I see. You’re ranked 6, I’m ranked 7. Let’s exchange @AliAbdelaziz00 @Mickmaynard2 @ufc @danawhite

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2018

Last Sunday, on the undercard of the UFC’s exciting stop in Austin, Texas, former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves returned to the cage for the first time since April of 2017. Regrettably, this return to action went disastrously, as he was knocked out by his debuting opponent Curtis Millender in the second round. Despite this tough loss, Alves seems to be in good spirits. On Tuesday, the Brazilian veteran took to Instagram to issue a statement on this defeat, in which he assured his fans that the best is yet to come.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2018

According to a report from MMA Fighting, MMA veteran Marlon Sandro is facing multiple charges after allegedly attacking his fiancée Tayssa Wuensche on the streets of Rio de Janeiro late last year. During this grisly attack on his fiancée, the former Bellator and Sengoku fighter is said to have badly injured her arm, choked her unconscious, and then continued to punch and kick her when she regained consciousness. Sandro is now facing attempted murder charges for this attack. He could wind up serving 20 years in prison if found guilty of these charges.

Tom Taylor - February 21, 2018

On April 7, in the main event of UFC 223, interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will return to the Octagon to battle undefeated contender Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title. What exactly that means for Conor McGregor, who still owns the undisputed title, remains to be seen. From the looks of it however, Ferguson feels it’s about time McGregor put his belt down and walked away. Ferguson went after McGregor on Twitter early on Monday morning, suggesting that the Irishman and his team were scared, and demanding he drop the belt.

Drake Riggs - February 20, 2018

It appears that we may be losing out on one of the three potential super fights that have recently been teased to us. At least for now… Henry Cejudo’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz tweeted out that he will be rematching the UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, some time in the Summer.

Drake Riggs - February 20, 2018

Randy “Rudeboy” Brown is one of the few fighters to have been selected to be signed to the UFC after performing in front of Dana White on his YouTube series, ‘Lookin’ For a Fight’ with Matt Serra. Since entering the UFC, the 10-2 overall, Brown has gone 4-2 with all but three of his career fights being finishes(his last two fights against Mickey Gall and Belal Muhammad were two of them). In Brown’s last fight at UFC 217, he defeated fellow Lookin’ For A Fight signee, Mickey Gall who is most known for being the man to introduce CM Punk to MMA. Now that he’s back to his winning ways, the twenty-seven-year-old Brown feels ready to take on a good step up in competition as he told MMA Today:

Drake Riggs - February 20, 2018

The absolutely epic film, ‘Thug Rose Champion’ was created by MMA fighter Steven Parsons and chronicles the lead up to the first title bout between the then title challenger, Rose Namajunas and strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217, the fight itself and the rise of Rose as a champion. Their rematch takes place at UFC 223 on April 7.

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

April seems too far away to wait for the highly anticipated clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson at UFC 223. This will be the fourth that these elite lightweights have been expected to fight each other. Somehow, they both keep getting ripped apart and put back together again. That’s why it’s no surprise that Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdel-Aziz has a contingency plan in place on the chance that something unfortunate happens again. This plan he has in mind would also make one particular lightweight very, very happy. “I did not want Tony Ferguson to become the champ, I want him to be the interim champion because fight night, if Tony got hurt then Khabib [Nurmagomeodv] still fights for the undisputed lightweight championship. But if Tony Ferguson is the champ, then Khabib has to fight a regular fight. Now, I’m not trying to give myself a credit as a smart guy, but any manager in my position should think of that. ‘Oh, let’s make Tony Ferguson the champ and Khabib fight him,’ but what happens if Tony got hurt? Khabib’s going to be 30 – 0 with no belt? This is why regardless – if Tony got hurt or Khabib got hurt – it’s a belt on the line. Doesn’t matter. 100-percent [someone will fight for the title].  

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

Frankie Edgar has finally got a fight after his anticipated scrap with UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has fallen through twice. At UFC 222 in just under two weeks, he’ll test his infamous pressure, boxing and grinding wrestling on slick Brian Ortega. From one wrestler to another, Edgar recently spoke up about Ben Askren since the UFC on FOX Twitter account had curiously mentioned the former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion. He him a lot of respect and thinks he could have a shot against St-Pierre. “I would love to see [Ben] Askren in the UFC. I think it’s a shame that he hasn’t been here. I think people, or at least Dana [White] and whoever the UFC brass don’t want to see him go out there and wrestle guys to death and whatnot, but he’s out there wrestling and finishing guys now. The dude doesn’t get hit and it’s pretty impressive. Yeah, that’s like the, ‘Who would win out of [Georges St-Pierre] or him?’ That’s something people have been talking about for a long time and he’s got the ability to make that fight very interesting just because of his wrestling ability. Typically Georges is the guy with the wrestling ability, but against Ben I think Ben might have a hand in there.”—Frankie Edgar speaking on the MMA Roasted podcast.

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

After his decision loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio, Mike Perry is on a warpath. He’s eager to get back in the Octagon and feel his fists on another head. This weekend he’ll be up against Max Griffin at UFC Florida and will look to get back in the win column to continue with his future plans. Those plans just might include top-ranked welterweight contender Colby Covington. Not only did Perry have some choice words questioning the fighting caliber of Covington, but had some X-Rated comments on the only strategy Colby would have against him in a potential fight. “Colby [Covington]’s manager is a better manager than Colby is a fighter. He got him the right fights with the right people that got him leveled up to number three in the world. But, I think that’s Colby’s story because that’s as far as he goes. He don’t go past three. [I’d] fight [Colby Covington and Demian Maia] both with my hands down, man. Catch that underhook and hit them with the other arm. They not gonna get that takedown with me, I already said. I know exactly what Colby Covington would try to do: He’d try to put his head in my lap and suck my dick for 15 minutes. That’s it. That’s what he’s gonna try to do. So, we’ll see, man. If I can get that fight, I would like that fight.”

Tom Taylor - February 20, 2018

One of the biggest ongoing stories in combat sports over the last few months has been Floyd Mayweather’s potential move to MMA. It all began when Mayweather unleashed an ego-soaked rant on Instagram live, suggesting he could come to the UFC and make a billion dollars if he wanted to. It continued when UFC President Dana White assured there had been “real” negotiations with Mayweather and his team, and went further when Mayweather posted a few Instagram videos of himself strutting around an MMA cage. Most recently, the madness swirled on when Mayweather’s father suggested that a move to MMA indeed appeared likely…

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

We’re getting closer and closer to seeing Ronda Rousey do more than just hip toss Triple H in a WWE ring. After making her debut at the Royal Rumble, the organization has done a great job at hyping up her presence as their new superstar. So far, we’ve only seen a point and a handshake, but after she signs her contract, it will only be a matter of time before Rousey is armbarring and launching people on their heads. In order to hold you over, WWE released a sizzle reel which shows the former UFC champion doing some flowy transitions and using those iconic Judo throws. BREAKING NEWS: Per @RealKurtAngle, @RondaRousey will sign her Monday Night #RAW contract at #WWEChamber!!! pic.twitter.com/fXHJDtQztt

Tom Taylor - February 20, 2018

On Sunday night, Hawaii’s Yancy Medeiros came up short in one of the biggest fights of his career thus far, succumbing to a salvo of first-round punches from Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Even in defeat, however, the ever-classy Medeiros made headlines, as he quickly jumped out of the cage to embrace with Cowboy’s grandmother in a truly sportsmanlike display. Unsurprisingly, this gesture went over very well with Cowboy himself, who praised Medeiros post-fight.

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

I’m going to start working on my wrestling 🤼‍♂️ more and jujitsu A post shared by Derrick Lewis (@thebeastufc) on Feb 19, 2018 at 1:34pm PST

Justin Golightly - February 20, 2018

It has been nearly 10 days since Yoel Romero finished Luke Rockhold with an uppercut so brutal that we’re still talking about it. We’re also still talking about the kiss he landed on Rockhold’s cheek as well at UFC 221. Originally it was thought that it was nothing more than a sportsmanlike gesture, but Romero had the bible on his mind as he called Rockhold a brother and put his lips on his cheek. He was thinking of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss after The Last Supper. The Soldier of God flipped the allegory in the Octagon that night when he pecked Luke Rockhold, then told the story of their fall on Monday. “Before USADA, every time when [Luke Rockhold] saw me […] he’d say, ‘Hey, what’s up, my man? You want to go out with me? I need a party.’ I’d say, okay, come on, let’s go, no problem. When I [was hanging out] with him, he was like a friend. […] When I had this problem with USADA, he and Michael Bisping is the two guys who were talking a lot of [trash] about me. Ok, Bisping is Bisping. I don’t have a relationship with this guy, but with [Rockhold] — You talk like this against me? But God is good. Maybe he was thinking, ‘Ok, this guy is 39-years old. Minimum two years out [with a suspension], he’s 41. Bye, bye Yoel.’ But God is good every time. I’m still here. That’s why the UFC call me and I say, ‘Yes, I want the fight’ and I tried to get down my current weight.”