MMA News

Justin Golightly - January 11, 2018

Andrei Arlovski, Roy Nelson, Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Hunt. These are some of the names that Josh Barnett have taken out in his staggering 21 year stay in the world of combat sports. He even beat Randy Couture back at UFC 36 to become the UFC heavyweight champion. While he’s been out of MMA since 2016, he hasn’t been lazy. From television shows, inhabiting the body of a Viking, to pro wrestling inside and outside of the ring, Barnett isn’t lacking things to occupy his battle-sharpened mind. Although, he doesn’t rule out a return to the cage either. “I’m not finished with it. I still have a lot within MMA that I want to do. There’s still a desire in me to go out and fight. I know that it is going to be a much smaller window for me in that there’s so many other things in my life. At the moment, I know the desire is there to compete, but the desire to structure my life around training camps and all that at the moment just isn’t there.”

Justin Golightly - January 11, 2018

We’re just over a week away from two huge title fights in Boston for UFC 220. In a way, the main and co-main events are mirror images of each other. Two hyped newcomers in Volkan Oezdemir and Francis Ngannou with one-punch knockout power, against champions seemingly on a completely different level than their competition. Daniel Cormier keeps reminding Oezdemir of that fact in the lead-up to their big showdown. Against Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson and before that against the top heavyweights in the world, Cormier has felt that power and has never been taken out by it. “It’s crazy that this kid thinks he can knock me out with one punch. What happens when it doesn’t happen? You will all see next Saturday. I’ll stand with this kid and still beat him. There are levels to this game and this guy ain’t on the level. Volkan Oezdemir, you have done well but now you’re in over your head. Sharpening my tools with Javier Mendez. I am who I am because of who I am. Hard work and commitment is something I’ve always had in spades. I can’t wait to show you what we have been cooking up. We are AKA. Down goes Volkan.” — Daniel Cormier via his Instagram.

Drake Riggs - January 10, 2018

Every now and then, we get some fun little segments on the UFC’s weekly news program on FS1, UFC Tonight. The show is normally hosted by Karyn Bryant, Kenny Florian and UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier. Often times, Cormier will have to miss time due to his fight camps which then leads to a rotation of other fighters filling in for him, most commonly the likes of Welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley or former Middleweight champion, Michael Bisping. This week the crew discussed who they thought would return to the action first between Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor or his biggest rival, Nate Diaz. This led to a hilarious and pretty accurate impression from the three-time title challenger.

Drake Riggs - January 10, 2018

UFC 221 on February 11 returns to Australia when they touch down in Perth for the first time! Headlining the event will be UFC Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in his first title defense against the former UFC and Strikeforce champion, Luke Rockhold. Today we got the release of the official poster thanks to Marcel Dorff.

Drake Riggs - January 10, 2018

Last night, one of the UFC’s all-time biggest stars was seen possibly advancing closer to her next career. Former UFC and Strikeforce Bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey has been rumored to be eventually making the leap on over to the wrestling entertainment world for a good while now. The top organization for professional wrestling is the WWE and one of Rousey’s close friends, Shayna Baszler has already made the full jump over as she’s now on their main roster. Rousey has already done a promo for the WWE…so the foundation has been laid out for her to really make the transition.

Justin Golightly - January 10, 2018

Things are finally looking up for former UFC featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar. He was slated for a title shot against Max Holloway, but had to withdraw due to an injured orbital. Not only does he get another shot, but just a day after his fight with Holloway is re-booked for UFC 222, he got bumped up to first degree black belt. He wasn’t the only fighter getting the honors from Ricardo Almeida, his teammate Marlon Moraes got promoted from brown belt to black belt. “Such an honor to have these guys on our mats day in and day out. Congratulations gentleman. Marlon Moraes: Congratulations on your black belt, six years as a brown belt and I tried to promote him last year but he wouldn’t accept it. You won’t find a more humble guy. Frankie Edgar: Black belt first degree. Our team leader/captain always setting the pace we all try to follow.”

Justin Golightly - January 10, 2018

All the talk of last year was the showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. Today, another billionaire shared the stage with a millionaire at the Pendulum Summit as it took over the Convention Centre Dublin. English business magnate Sir Richard Branson met with the UFC’s self-proclaimed ‘Champ Champ’ and presented him Pendulum’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement award. Of course, with two entrepreneurial icons of that caliber on stage, it couldn’t be just any normal presentation. 🏟 #PendulumSummit

Justin Golightly - January 10, 2018

At UFC 219, Edson Barboza had his impressive three-fight win streak stopped on the wrong end of a dominating performance by Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was Barboza’s biggest fight of his life and he came up short. Even though it was admittedly one of the most painful losses in his career, Barboza is ready to get back in the cage as soon as possible. Replaying the fight in his latest interview, he candidly reveals he played into Nurmagoemdov’s game and some of his tactics caught him off guard. ”I really didn’t expect that to happen, man. I was very upset the week after the fight because I was well prepared, had a wonderful camp. It was a tough loss, no doubt about it. It was pretty much how we imagined it. I knew he wouldn’t take me down in the middle of the Octagon. I knew that his only chance to take me down was close to the fence, so I obviously worked that a lot, but he was able to impose his game, and I couldn’t get out of there. That was the problem. I fell in his game, I spent 15 minutes doing his game.”

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

Amanda Ribas’ UFC career has been dealt a serious blow before it even started. The strawweight fighter was scheduled to make her promotional debut opposite Julianna Lima last summer. Unfortunately, she was pulled from this contest when she tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in an out-of-competition test facilitated on June 7. She was subsequently handed a provisional suspension, while USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner, examined her case.

Justin Golightly - January 10, 2018

Every time Demetrious Johnson’s name has come up since his record-breaking performance, it has been paired with TJ Dillashaw. It seemed like negotiations were getting close, but he has recently dismissed the talk. We’ve known that the main speed bump was money, but it looks like there is another thing standing in the way. While things get figured out, Demetrious Johnson is going to be pulling a Tyron Woodley and repair himself from his demanding fight schedule. He goes in to have shoulder surgery today, which makes a return and the potential superfight between him and Dillashaw completely up in the air. UFC flyweight champ @MightyMouseUFC is undergoing shoulder surgery today. Timetable for return is TBD at this time.

Justin Golightly - January 10, 2018

As soon as Max Holloway beat Jose Aldo once again, he jumped right back on the fight to bring the UFC to Hawaii. Just like the pressure fighter he is in the Octagon, he isn’t letting up at all. It looks like he’s finally chipping away at both sides because it looks like things are getting closer. As reported by Rob DeMello of KHON, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) President George Szigeti will be meeting soon with the UFC in Las Vegas for a potential card at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO George Szigeti told me today that the HTA is planning to meet face to face with #UFC in Las Vegas “within the next month or two” to discuss possible UFC event at Aloha Stadium. #UFCHawaii @blessedMMA

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

British light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa was hoping he’d be paired with Brazilian contender Glover Teixeira for the UFC’s March 18 return to London, England. Unfortunately for him, this option didn’t seem to interest Teixeira, which left him with no choice but to accept a London rematch with Jan Blachowicz, who defeated by decision several years ago. Speaking to Peter Carroll of MMAFighting.com, Manuwa shared his thoughts on Teixeira. Needless to say, he’s not particularly pleased that the Brazilian talent didn’t accept his offer.

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

Back in November, we learned that top light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir was being charged with felony battery as the result of an unfortunate incident in a Florida bar. According to a report from MMAFighting.com, who spoken with Oezdemir’s lawyer Bruce A. Zimet, the Swiss fighter pleaded not guilty to this charge, and demanded a trial by jury at a Tuesday arraignment.  Oezdemir’s next hearing will occur on February 22, and the good news is that he’s been given no travel restrictions in the meantime. This means that he’ll be able to fly to Boston to battle UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 on January 20 without a hitch.

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

Ever since UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg thwarted challenger Holly Holm at UFC 219, UFC women’s bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes has been eager to fight her. UFC President Dana White also seems to be on board with this plan. And while there are still some major hurdles to clear before this fight is made, Nunes’ head coach at American Top Team, Conan Silveira, is very confident it’ll happen. “People want to see it,” Silveira told MMAjunkie. “I think they have the best opportunity to leave their marks on history.”

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

After his UFC 219 destruction of the always dangerous Edson Barboza, Dagestan’s Khabib Nurmagomedov is once again one of the most talked about fighters in the UFC. Undefeated at 25-0, the destructive grappling specialist is now the undeniable, irrefutable number one contender at lightweight. The big question simply seems to be whether he battles undisputed UFC lightweight champ Conor McGregor, or interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. Logic, of course, would suggest that if Nurmagomedov gets the next lightweight title shot, it’ll come against Ferguson. If McGregor returns to defend his title, after all, he’d likely have to do it against the interim champion Ferguson. Shortly after his fight with Barboza, Nurmagomedov’s manager assured a fight with Ferguson is indeed the focus.

Tom Taylor - January 10, 2018

Yesterday afternoon, we learned that veteran MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy had joined the Bellator MMA family as a member of the promotion’s broadcast team. Initially, it sounded as though McCarthy’s broadcast duties signalled the end of his career as a referee, but apparently that’s not the case. He still plans to work as an officiator in smaller shows. “Can I go and referee? Yes, I can go and referee,” McCarthy told MMA Fighting. “If I want to go and referee something internationally, I can do it. I can do small shows here if I want. I’ll do charity events and things like that. I’m not gonna say, ‘Oh, I’m retired.’ I’m not retired. At this moment, I’m just taking on something else, so that’s gonna go on the back burner. All of my attention is gonna go toward being the best color commentator I can be for Bellator.”

Drake Riggs - January 9, 2018

UFC on Fox 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina will be the UFC’s first event in the state since 2010 and their fourth ever. Headlining will be the hometown top Middleweight contender, Derek Brunson when he takes on the perennial top five 185er, Jacare Souza in a rematch from their 2012 Strikeforce meeting. Jacare won the fight in just forty-one seconds as he had the very clear experience advantage. Now things are a bit more evened out and Brunson knows it. Brunson discussed the rematch and what he wants to happen after in an interview with Clture. “When I fought him before, I was fresh out of college, right when I first started fighting. So I came in as a straight wrestler and it takes a long time to develop your boxing skills, your muay thai skills, to not over-extend yourself when you punch, but actually being able to throw a punch and not leave yourself in danger is a key point. I’m a different fighter now. I’ve been able to knock guys out clean here recently because I’ve been able to find that mix, to find that happy medium.

Drake Riggs - January 9, 2018

The last time we saw former WEC and UFC Lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis in action he was covered in blood and looking for submissions off his back against Dustin Poirier at UFC Fight Night 120 on November 11. Pettis lost that fight via TKO from a rib injury he sustained when Poirier transitioned off his back into mount on Pettis. This loss made the former champ 2-5 in his last seven outings, which also meant he has yet to put together a winning streak since he was the UFC champion back in 2014. Pettis appears to be healing up though and has a date targeted according to Ariel Helwani who confirms that Pettis wants to fight on the UFC’s next London card which is on March 17. No potential opponents were named by Helwani… But Nolan King reports that there has been at least some discussion that the UFC is looking at the rising star, Mairbek Taisumov for Pettis’ next opponent.