MMA News

Drake Riggs - January 22, 2018

“So when I was 12-0, I had my last fight in Bellator against Andrey Koreshkov on July 30, maybe 31, of 2013 and I beat him up pretty good. I had a 12-month matching period, so what was expressed to me by the UFC brass was that you need to get out of your matching clause and we will make you an offer, but, we won’t make you an offer until that happens. So I called Bjorn [Rebney] and I said ‘Hey Bjorn, I’m not going to re-sign, let me go. Bjorn had a terrible reputation, but I never had a problem with him, we never butted heads too bad. Anyway, I said Bjorn, I don’t want to come back, but people say that they didn’t want me back, but that’s not true at all, but every day, I was like ‘Bjorn let me go, Bjorn let me go,’ and I love challenges. There’s nothing more in the world that I love than a challenge. Go through my wrestling career, it’s what I’m all about, taking the next best single thing every time. So all this time, Dana and the UFC are saying ‘We want Ben Askren. We want Ben Askren.’ I’m ranked number 7 in the world and 12-0 and so, I was going to the Asian store because I was going to make some Tom Kah soup and Bjorn called me and said ‘You’re released. You’re released, you can go.’ I said, ‘I appreciate that.’

Christine Allen - January 22, 2018

“In the Middle East, I think people are warriors by nature. They live their whole lives in conflict. I think that martial arts for them is something that suits them perfectly.” Samy Al Jama, Brazilian Jordanian and founder of Source MMA, speaking to FIGHTLAND as part of their mini documentary entitled MMA in The Middle East.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

On April 7, at UFC 223, interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson and undefeated contender Khabib Nurmagomedov will battle for a lightweight title. Will it be the interim title currently owned by Ferguson, or the undisputed title currently owned by Conor McGregor? Dana White was incredibly unclear when asked about this at a press conference in Boston, refusing to say whether the UFC will strip McGregor of his undisputed title, but also assuring the winner of this Ferguson-Nurmagomedov fight will be the champion… Whatever the case ‘The Motown Phenom” Kevin Lee expects Tony Ferguson to be the man who comes out on top – against Nurmagomedov and McGregor.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

Last weekend, at UFC 220, we watched UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier thwart dangerous challenger Volkan Oezdemir, and UFC light heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic turn away the dangerous Francis Ngannou. In the wake of these successful title defenses, there has been a deafening outcry for the two champions to fight each other at heavyweight. Daniel Cormier addressed this possibility at the UFC 220 post-fight press conference. Apparently, it’s not something he’s keen on.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

Last Saturday night, in the main event of the exciting UFC 220, hulking French-Cameroonian knockout artist Francis Ngannou lumbered into the cage with the goal of defeating Stipe Miocic and winning the UFC heavyweight title. In the end, however, the massively hyped Ngannou was outclassed by the champion, whose cardio, pressure and wrestling were simply too much to deal with. Now, it’s back to the drawing board for the undeniably talented Ngannou, who has been studying MMA for just four years. Though he certainly has some holes in his game that need filling, it seems he’s keen to learn from this loss, and use it as fuel for his continued evolution.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

Last weekend, Bellator MMA’s anticipated Heavyweight Grand Prix officially got underway, as Chael Sonnen advanced to the second-round with a unanimous decision win over former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. While the tournament is now rolling, however, the official alternates – understudies should any fighters get injured – have been a mystery.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

Last weekend, in the co-main event of Bellator 192, former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald scored a tooth-and-nail decision win over Douglas Lima to capture the Bellator welterweight title. While MacDonald ultimately emerged the victor, however, he was the far more damaged man by the time the fight ended, having developed some serious swelling on his face, and one hell of a hematoma on his shin. Given the way MacDonald looked post-fight, there was immediate worry that he was once again facing a long sit on the shelf – certainly not what you want for perhaps the best fighter on the Bellator roster. Luckily, it sounds as though MacDonald’s injuries aren’t too severe.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2018

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who owns the record for most consecutive title defenses of any champion in UFC history, is currently recovering from a surgery. That said, he’s already eyeing his next fight. While Johnson has expressed some disinterest in a potential fight with bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in the past, he seems to have come around. Speaking during a MetroPCS Q&A in the buildup to UFC 220, Johnson announced that he’s hoping to fight Dillashaw this July, on a big card in the midst of the UFC’s International Fight Week.

Chris Taylor - January 21, 2018

Dana White discusses Francis Ngannou’s first UFC setback and what could come next for Stipe Miocic. "I don't see why he couldn't fight at heavyweight."@danawhite asked @dc_mma if he'd be interested in a title shot with @StipeMiocicUFC. Can we get this, please? #UFC220 https://t.co/FljOglKMIB

Chris Taylor - January 21, 2018

UFC 220 Reebok Outfitting Payouts The octagon returned to Boston last night for UFC 220.

Chris Taylor - January 21, 2018

Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald issue statements following their war at Bellator 192. Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima went to war in the co-headliner of last night’s Bellator 192 event.

Chris Taylor - January 21, 2018

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson issues statement following loss to Chael Sonnen. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson suffered a unanimous decision loss to Chael Sonnen in the headliner of last night’s Bellator 192 event.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2018

Last night, in the main event of UFC 220, hulking French-Cameroonian knockout artist Francis Ngannou lumbered into the cage with the goal of defeating Stipe Miocic and winning the UFC heavyweight title. In the end, however, the massively hyped Ngannou was outclassed by the champion, whose cardio and wrestling were simply too much to deal with. Now, it’s back to the drawing board for the undeniably talented Ngannou. Though he certainly has some holes in his game that need filling, it seems he’s keen to learn from this loss, and use it as fuel for his continued evolution.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2018

If things had gone according to plan, UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker would have attempted the first defense of his title against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221, this February 10 in Perth, Australia. Unfortunately, Whittaker was forced out of this contest with health problems, and replaced by his most recent opponent, Yoel Romero, who will battle Romero for the interim belt in the meantime. At first, the circumstances of Whittaker’s health problems weren’t clear. Now, however, UFC President Dana White has shed some light on the situation, and it doesn’t sound good.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2018

Last night, in the co-main event of UFC 220, Volkan Oezdemir attempted to succeed where 20 other men have failed, and defeat Daniel Cormier. Despite a strong start, Oezdemir quickly fell victim to Cormier’s incredible pressure and wrestling, and ultimately succumbed to a second-round TKO. This loss is Oezdemir’s first in the UFC. Apparently, however, he’s taking it in stride.

Tom Taylor - January 21, 2018

Last night, Bellator MMA returned to our screens with Bellator 192, arguably one of its biggest cards to date. In the main event, Chael Sonnen defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by unanimous decision, advancing to the second round of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix in the process.

Tom Taylor - January 20, 2018

Last night, in the main event of the stacked Bellator 192, three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen advanced to the second round of Bellator’s exciting heavyweight Grand Prix with a unanimous decision win over former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Here’s how the MMA community reacted to Sonnen’s impressive defeat of Rampage.

Tom Taylor - January 20, 2018

Last night, in the co-main event of Bellator 192, Rory MacDonald finally stepped into the cage with Douglas Lima to battle for the Bellator welterweight title. Though Lima nearly chopped MacDonald’s leg off with a brutal onslaught of calf-kicks, the Canadian ultimately came out on top, winning the Bellator welterweight strap with a competitive unanimous decision victory. Here’s how the MMA community (and a few others) reacted to Rory MacDonald’s title-winning defeat of Douglas Lima.