MMA News

Tom Taylor - December 26, 2017

Originally, Streaking bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera was expected to take on former champ Dominick Cruz at UFC 219 on December 30. Regrettably, though, Cruz was forced out of this fight with an injury. From there, Cruz was replaced my the ever-dangerous John Lineker. Yet once again, bad luck struck, as Lineker was forced out of the fight just days ahead of time.

Tom Taylor - December 26, 2017

Yesterday, many members of the MMA community gathered together with their family and friends to celebrate Christmas. Across the fighting world, there was food aplenty; there were gifts, drinks, and Christmas pyjamas; there were even a few appearances by Santa Claus himself. See how the MMA community celebrated Christmas below:

Drake Riggs - December 25, 2017

Longtime MMA journalist and business insider, Dave Meltzer recently discussed on his overnight Wrestling Observer audio show the UFC’s prediction for EBITDA in 2017 which should be $320 million dollars. Obviously, that brings up many different questions and variables to discuss. I decided to meet up with friend and avid follower of combat sports’ business side who specializes in MMA and pro wrestling, Frankie NYC to discuss the news. Last time Frankie and I spoke we broke down the UFC TV negotiations in October.  

Drake Riggs - December 25, 2017

It’s the season of giving! And Jimmie Rivera keeps on being given news of opponents dropping out of his UFC 219 fight. At first, he was supposed to fight former Bantamweight king, Dominick Cruz. That was until Cruz suffered a broken arm in training resulting in his drop off the card. In to replace Cruz stepped fellow top 5er at 135, John Lineker. Then just the other day, Lineker had to undergo emergency surgery for a tooth infection which has also pulled, no pun intended, Lineker from the Rivera fight. Now we’re here. Rivera stated after the news was broke that he was willing to face former WSOF Bantamweight king, Marlon Moraes who has been wanting to fight Rivera for some time now. I accept the fight with @MMARLONMORAES and even give him two pound allowance at 138lb #merrychristmas #ufc219

Chris Taylor - December 24, 2017

2018 could be Daniel Cormier‘s last year of fighting! The UFC light heavyweight champion of the world, who turns 39-year-old in 2018, recently sat down with ESPN.com where he discussed his future in fighting.

Chris Taylor - December 24, 2017

Darren Till doesn’t care about rankings or losses, agrees to have a war with “Platinum” Mike Perry. Despite suffering a decision loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio in his most recent performance, Mike Perry (11-2 MMA) still has his sites set on undefeated welterweight contender Darren Till.

Chris Taylor - December 24, 2017

Perennial UFC welterweight contender “Platinum” Mike Perry was nice enough to remember Darren Till’s birthday. Perry recently took to Twitter where he sent the undefeated welterweight, Darren Till, the following well wishes along with a “gift”.

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

From the looks of it, Conor McGregor training partner Artem Lobov has found an opponent for his next fight. Over the weekend, at an action-packed ACB show in Russia, Lobov got face to face with another UFC featherweight in Zabit Magomedsharipov. Shortly thereafter, Magomedsharipov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz took to Twitter to stoke this potential fight to life, and Lobov was all for it. See how it went down below:

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

Told my mom at 10yrs Old I would buy her a house! This is a my most memorable Christmas I @mommawoodd cashes in on a 25yr old Promise! #GodIsAmazing A post shared by Tyron Woodley (@twooodley) on Dec 24, 2017 at 7:37am PST

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

“Sugar” Sean O’Malley is one of the hottest prospects in the talent-rich UFC bantamweight division. Now 1-o in the UFC, having bested a game Terrion Ware in his recent promotional debut, he’s keen to continue his climb up the bantamweight ladder, and perhaps one day, battle reigning champ TJ Dillashaw. While O’Malley hopes to fight Dillashaw one day, he actually has tremendous respect for him, especially after his thrilling December knockout of Cody Garbrandt.

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

Having established himself as one of the welterweight division’s top contenders, Colby Covington is now eyeing one of two fights: a title fight with reigning champ Tyron Woodley, or an interim title fight with fellow contender Rafael dos Anjos. Unfortunately for him, neither man seems interested in fighting him at this particular moment. Covington believes he knows why this is the case.

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

British knockout artist Jimi Manuwa is one of the best light heavyweight mixed martial artists on earth. And though he is currently riding a tough knockout loss to upcoming light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir, he is still only a win or two from his own shot at the belt. While Manuwa has plenty of interesting options in the UFC light heavyweight division – ranging from Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to Glover Teixeira – he has also been flirting with the idea of a boxing match with fellow Brit David Haye.

Tom Taylor - December 24, 2017

Dustin Poirier, a former contender in the UFC featherweight division, and now one of the top contenders at lightweight, has been in the game for a long time. That said, the Louisiana native continues to improve with every fight, thanks to his continued efforts in the gym. Now, Poirier has been rewarded for his ongoing efforts in the gym, as he has received his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Poirier announced this major honor on his official Instagram account. See his post below!

Chris Taylor - December 23, 2017

Stipe Miocic receives some NFL support prior to his UFC 220 title fight with Francis Ngannou. UFC heavyweight champion of the world Stipe Miocic will attempt to make his third consecutive title defense at January’s UFC 220 event in Boston when he squares off with surging division contender Francis Ngannou.

Chris Taylor - December 23, 2017

Rampage Jackson and Chael Sonnen will square off at Bellator 192 on January 20 in the first-round of the promotions heavyweight world grand prix. The former UFC light heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-12 MMA), has not competed since suffering a unanimous decision loss in his rematch with Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 175 on March 31, 2017.

Justin Golightly - December 23, 2017

Daniel Cormier has had his fair share of trials and tribulations. During a career of fighting between two weight classes, Jon Jones is the only man to ever beat him. The first time, he cried in the arms of Cain Velasquez. The second time, he wept openly in the Octagon. On top of all of that, the light heavyweight belt has been stripped from Jones’ waist twice and given back to Cormier. Those are things that some people on the internet just can’t let go despite it being no fault on DC’s part. The trolling doesn’t bother Daniel Cormier though, who responded to it all yesterday with a crying photo of his own. “People putting the photo of me crying don’t realize it’s okay lol. I been doing this crying since I was a kid lol. Here’s another one for y’all this is me crying on the awards stand at the junior nationals after losing in the finals. What can I say. I hate losing.” — Daniel Cormier via his official Instagram.

Chris Taylor - December 23, 2017

The octagon will return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 30 for the promotions UFC 219 fight card. The pay-per-view event is headlined by a women’s featherweight title fight featuring current champion Cris Cyborg defending her strap against former bantamweight title holder Holly Holm.

Justin Golightly - December 23, 2017

We don’t have to tell you that Georges St-Pierre’s life is ridiculous. He came back after four years away from the sport and took the UFC middleweight title away from Michael Bisping. That accomplishment is extraordinary in and of itself, but even away from the sport, St-Pierre does some awesome stuff. He literally went searching for dinosaur bones with the History channel. As famous as he is here, he’s practically a deity in Canada. Even celebrities and athletes from other sports want to hang out with the man. Even Hulkamania was running wild getting to chill with Georges St-Pierre. Last night, had the chance to hang out with two good guys – @davidguetta and the one and only @HulkHogan!!! pic.twitter.com/asAz1h23XJ