MMA News

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2018

After fighting out his previous UFC contract under the advisement of his previous manager, there was some doubt as to whether or not rising lightweight contender Stevie Ray would re-sign with the promotion. Luckily, the Scottish fighter was ultimately able to hash out a new deal with the UFC. He’s now set to return to the cage opposite Kajan Johnson when the UFC touches down in London on March 17. Ray announced his new deal with the UFC on Facebook, simultaneously apologizing to the promotion for fighting out his contract in an attempt to leverage a more lucrative deal.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2018

On Friday, Conor McGregor took to Instagram to take a quick jab at current UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway. In this post, McGregor reminded the world that he was able to defeat a young Holloway with a badly injured leg. This was just moments after I tore my ACL in a fight in Boston Massachusetts. It was when I faced off against the current featherweight champion Max Holloway, who I dismantled before and after this ligament tear, to win a lopsided victory. It was father against son in there that night in just my second UFC bout. Young Max is a hell of a fighter, I wonder what the future holds for my young Uce. Ligaments are needed in a fight definitely. Some can fight on however, where as some can not. I always think there are moments in your career that can make you or break you. I have had many in my storied career and this was most certainly one of them. God bless. Boston Strong 🍀

Chris Taylor - February 17, 2018

UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson decided to take a jab at surging welterweight contender Colby Covington on social media earlier this evening. Covington had taken to Twitter with the following video earlier this afternoon where he announced that #NerdBash2018 was officially on and that nobody was safe.

Chris Taylor - February 17, 2018

UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is hoping to cash in on a “money fight” in his next octagon appearance and in my opinion he deserves it. Since capturing the UFC welterweight title by destroying Robbie Lawler with a first-round knockout at UFC 201 in July of 2016, “The Chosen One” has proceeded to defend his title on three occasions against the welterweight divisions top contenders.

Christine Allen - February 17, 2018

As I watch You Tube footage of Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste’s theatrically enamoured reaction to UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem’s muscular torso during the UFC 141 weigh in, I cringe. Seeing her congratulatory clap, as host Joe Rogan confirms that the ‘demolition man’ has reached the magic number, I can’t help but compare her to the women who risk their health to step into the Octagon for our viewing entertainment on a regular basis.

Chris Taylor - February 17, 2018

March’s UFC 222 pay-per-view event was expected to be headlined by a featherweight title fight between current champ Max Holloway and top contender Frankie Edgar. Unfortunately for fight fans, the Hawaiian champion suffered a leg injury and was forced to pull out of his highly anticipated title fight with “The Answer”.

Justin Golightly - February 17, 2018

The year of the superfight is truly upon us. Whether they all go down or not, three giant fights between champions in different divisions are expected to fight each other. Whether this is the UFC’s big explosion like the death of a star, or their metamorphosis to survive in the future, it’s clear that things are changing. So, if we’re going to crack open the door to allow for epic fights like these, why not just kick it off the hinges? Let’s take down the political boundaries between organizations and have champions be able to fight other champions to really decide who are the top fighters on our humble spinning rock. Unfortunately, that’s impossible until some sort of MMA Ali Act is passed. However, there is no red tape on our imagination, so this is what we’ll explore in the very first edition of Fight Think. 5.  Bellator World Grand Prix winner vs. Stipe Miocic/Daniel Cormier winner (Bellator heavyweight champion vs UFC heavyweight champion)

Justin Golightly - February 17, 2018

#UFCAustin headliner Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) came bearing gifts for @Cowboycerrone at today’s official weigh-ins. Full results here: https://t.co/AXtmjnNRZ7 pic.twitter.com/8eonXGALjC

Justin Golightly - February 17, 2018

For those that believed Donald Cerrone when he said he was slowing down and going back to lightweight, think again. He recently opened up about the terrifying road to fight day in an interview that produced chills, but in it spoke about how the old Cowboy is back. A revelation that led to him sticking to welterweight and fighting the very game Yancy Medeiros. The cut is just too big and Cowboy loves the fight game too much. So much in fact, that he wants to step inside the Octagon four times this year. “[I plant to fight] four [times in 2018]. Who knows? If they call me and say they need me to fight next week, I will. I love it, I literally love my job. […] I think I did a good job branding myself young in this sport. But other than that, those young guys, you can’t just have one fight in the UFC and think, ‘Oh man, I’m going to sign a huge deal.’ It doesn’t work like that. Just like I can’t say, ‘I’m going to fight Floyd Mayweather and make $100 million.’ The opportunity isn’t there for me – you’ve got to take it when you can get it.”

Justin Golightly - February 17, 2018

.@RusHammerMMA on @TheNotoriousMMA: “There’s going to be a clear challenger decided April 7th, and that’s who Conor’s going to fight.” Full interview with @niallmcgrath4 on this week’s @talkingbrawls: https://t.co/yoiIESN5gH

Justin Golightly - February 17, 2018

One of the biggest accomplishments in combat sports is to be a K-1 grand prix champion. It’s a high honor for any kickboxer, but for an MMA fighter to also achieve it, is pretty insane. Mark Hunt has done it, Alistair Overeem has done it, and so have the legend Mirko Cro Cop. Not only did he accomplish the feat, but he did it in his own homeland of Croatia. It’s too bad that this achievement from 2013 is still tarnished to this day because according to Cro Cop, he still has never got paid by the owner of the organization. So, he recently put together a little campaign. “This lovely face belongs to Mike Kim,the owner of legendary K-1 organization. I wrote about him two months ago and I told that he is a cheater who never paid fighters from K-1 Grand Prix 2013. He called the next day and begged me to stop writing and that he will pay. Of course, he is not answering the phone calls and messages since then and I promised him that I will not forget him, and that I will inform K-1 fans, fighters and his business partners as to what kind of man he is. Punks and cheaters like him deserves that. I printed these t-shirts as I promised I would so people will remember his name and his adorable face. This is just first t-shirt, others will be posted later with appropriate banner each time. Please share, because people like Mike Kim deserves that every one finds out what a cheater he is. When he can steal from fighters who fought for him then he can and he will steal from anyone.”—Cro Cop via his official Facebook

Drake Riggs - February 16, 2018

The current UFC lightweight champion, Conor McGregor has been out of the MMA scene for over a year now. Since he last stepped foot in the octagon, he stepped into the ring to face one of the greatest boxers of all time in Floyd Mayweather. Rumblings have been all over the place in regards to what McGregor’s next move will be. Whether it’s back in MMA, back in boxing or not even fighting at all. Whatever it may be, it hasn’t stopped “the Notorious” from throwing out several jabs on social media to his fellow possible opponents for a potential return to action. Most recently…current featherweight champion and former opponent, Max Holloway:

Drake Riggs - February 16, 2018

Very few performances were quite as impressive as the debuting Israel ‘Stylebender’ Adesanya’s at UFC 221. The Nigerian born kickboxer put on a striking masterclass against Rob Wilkinson after stifling his takedown attempts in the first round. Adesanya systematically broke Wilkinson down with punches, kicks and elbows before he eventually wilted and the referee was forced to stop the action. At only 28, Adesanya doesn’t care who he fights next because quite frankly as he told MMAJunkie…he believes the result will be the same no matter who he fights.

Drake Riggs - February 16, 2018

What has been a fantasy matchup to longtime fans for the past decade appears to be on it’s way to reality. MMAFighting reports that a fight between former UFC light heavyweight champions, Vitor “the Phenom” Belfort and Lyoto “the Dragon” Machida is in the works for UFC 224 in Brazil.

Justin Golightly - February 16, 2018

Tonight, former UFC fighter will step into the Bellator cage and fight a former UFC opponent in Roy Nelson. It’s the second bout in an exciting year-long world grand prix that will end up crowning the new Bellator heavyweight champion. The winner of the fight will have to get through potential opponents like King Mo, Fedor Emelianenko, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and current Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. Still, after such a grueling gauntlet of battles, Mitrione is humble enough to admit that even if he wins, he’s still a step below current UFC heavyweight king Stipe Miocic. “No, I do not [think winning the Bellator world grand prix makes me the top heavyweight]. Stipe [Miocic] is the No. 1 guy in the world. I don’t think anybody can argue that at all. I think it would be really dope to have the chance to compete against him. If the Ali Act ever got passed, I think that would be really dope and I think it would be great for the fans. Then I find out, ‘Are you really that good or not?’”

Justin Golightly - February 16, 2018

Fresh on the heels of the news that Jon Jones will be appearing in front of the California State Athletic Commission for his hearing, Jon Jones has been releasing inspirational tweets and talking to fans on social media. There have even been a couple of short training videos showing that Jones fully intends on fighting soon. It’s that sort of confidence that has set him apart his entire career, and propelled him through his triumphs, as well as got him through his greatest tragedies. Today he had a different message though, for the people who continue to try and bury the man’s name. Let me talk to my haters. Blame my greatness on things you simply will never understand. Hard work. Passion. Suck one

Justin Golightly - February 16, 2018

If the fourth time is the charm, Khabib Nurmagoemdov and Tony Ferguson will finally fight in what is one of the most anticipated and high level fights in the world. There is another lightweight fight that everyone is talking about, which is Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier’s wild scrap at UFC Glendale. Nurmagomedov is adamant that he’ll be fighting for the real belt, and so is Poirier. He’s focused on taking out the former WSOF lightweight champion and testing himself against Nurmagomedov, who he predicts will be the true UFC lightweight champion. “I’m on the right track. I’ve just got to keep winning and winning solves everything. So, I’m going to come out here in two months and beat [Justin] Gaethje, and I feel like I might get a title shot. I feel like I should get a title shot with that win. I think they’re stripping Conor [McGregor] here, and they’re going to fight for the real belt. This sport is a crazy thing, and what happens, it’s unpredictable. But I think the winner of Tony Ferguson versus Khabib [Nurmagomedov] is going to be the real, undisputed UFC lightweight champion. Just the two styles, I think Khabib’s going to pressure him and be stronger and better on top, harder to submit. I mean, if Kevin Lee can take Ferguson down, Khabib is going to do the same.”

Justin Golightly - February 16, 2018

Let’s get real here for a minute. The things that Demetrious Johnson has done are incredible. He’s literally lapped his entire division, he’s the most dominant champion in UFC and ZUFFA history, and if the superfight with UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw happens and Johnson is able to win, it will be hard to argue that he’s not one of – if not the – greatest of all time. What makes Johnson so great are things like UFC 216. Not only did he break Anderson Silva’s title defense record defending his UFC flyweight title against Ray Borg, he did it by submitting him with a freaking German suplex into an armbar. It’s not surprise the fans voted that it was the best submission of all-time. “I’ve done that submission for like three of four years now and everybody out there is like, ‘Oh, that’s The Mouse Trap’. That’s not the Mouse Trap, I have another submission series for the Mouse Trap. That’s the Mighty Wiz Bar because Matt Hume showed me that armbar, I can’t remember how long ago, but I’ve got such a big arsenal working with the same coach for 13 years that you build that database over time. […] “It’s always been in my back pocket, in my toolbox, but I never try to force submissions. When you start trying to force things, that’s when you over-extend, you make mistakes.”