MMA News

Chris Taylor - September 2, 2017

UFC lightweight standout Mairbek Taisumov just scored another highlight reel finish, this time over Felipe Silva at UFC Rottterdam. Taisumov was able to catch Silva with a beautifully timed right hand that sent Felipe crashing face first to the canvas.

Justin Golightly - September 2, 2017

Thanks to Thibault Goulti, UFC Rotterdam just kicked off a couple of hours ago in exciting fashion. Don’t blink yet though, the thrills aren’t stopping anytime soon. This guy Zabit Magomedsharipov made his UFC debut against Mike Santiago and stole the show. Sure, it was only the third fight of the card and there are a lot more face-punching to be had, but we think you’ll agree after you see these highlights. Zabit is an absolute madmad. Exhibit A: The Showtime Kick 

Justin Golightly - September 2, 2017

It’s Labor Day weekend and someone must have clued the UFC matchmakers in on it. Instead of forcing people to cancel their social obligations on Saturday night, we were delivered UFC Rotterdam  just before lunch (11:45AM on the East coast) or right during breakfast (8:45AM PT). So, whether you’re nursing a hangover with some greasy sausage for brunch, or pouring a big salad bowl full of cereal, there’s a UFC card going on. The action didn’t wait for early viewers to wipe the crust out of their eyes either, Thibault Gouti took it to Andrew Holbrook and finished him in a single round. https://twitter.com/Jonnyboy_6969/status/904011562758934529

Justin Golightly - September 2, 2017

Francis Ngannou is a guy that no one seems to want to fight. He was supposed to fight Junior dos Santos at the upcoming UFC 215 card, but JDS was pulled due to an unfortunate potential anti-doping violation by USADA. Since then, he’s called out Alistair Overeem and even UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic himself. Neither accepted the fight. It looks like it was just bad timing though, because Overeem just announced at a recent Q & A that he’s down to fight Ngannou. Not only that, but they could square off in the Octagon at UFC 217 or UFC 219. https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/901165201273126912

Justin Golightly - September 2, 2017

Ben Askren retains his title, tells @awawisconsin to get ready to get back to work on Tuesday. @FloWrestling #ONEShanghai pic.twitter.com/Hca3VTkJTY — FloCombat (@FloCombat) September 2, 2017

Justin Golightly - September 2, 2017

In November, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping will fight for the middleweight title at Madison Square Garden while others in the division wait. With two wins in Chris Weidman’s last five fights, combined with his division’s title picture, Weidman is looking for other options. Weidman mentioned last month that he was thinking about a move to light heavyweight, but yesterday he talked more about the potential jump. It looks like this is something he’s seriously considering. “If 185’s not somewhere I’m going to fight for the title in the next two years or a year and a a half… who knows? If I do everything right, that’s just crazy to me. Who knows… 205 [pounds], we’ll see. I mean I’m open. I just want the belt. I would definitely consider it. I think I would be good at 205, but it would have to be the right thing. It would have to be where I know to find my way to the title. I’m not looking to fight just to fight. I want the belt. If there’s a clear path at 205, then that’s where I’ll head.”

Russell Ess - September 1, 2017

Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has been busy polishing his boxing skills with world champion boxing trainer Robert Garcia. We’ve seen Aldo spar with Mexican Olympian boxer Lindolfo Delgado and WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia. Aldo has been impressing the guys in the gym with his skill and power.

Russell Ess - September 1, 2017

Horrid news truck the MMA community in July when it became known that American Top Team fighter Aaron Rajman was killed in his home in West Boca, Florida. The 25-year-old MMA fighter died after several individuals entered his home on July 3 and an argument took place with at least one gun shot fired. The suspects left the home after the fatal shooting.

Russell Ess - September 1, 2017

While millions around the world were excited to see what would happen when Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor stepped into the boxing ring, one boxing legend was very upset that the fight was actually taking place. On Friday, a day before the richest fight in combat sports took place, Oscar De La Hoya tweeted, “F**K YOU #MayweatherVsMcGregor BOTH OF YOU ARE DISRESPECTING THE SPORT OF BOXING #CaneloGGG Sept 16th http://www.ringtv.com.”

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

It seems like there is a new development in the Jon Jones saga every single day. After allegedly popping for a steroid, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster that started at heartbroken and is now twisting into the strange and unusual. His own teammate came out very early on claiming this had to be a set-up. Just last night, the California State Athletic Commission Executive Director even said he was confused by the test and it didn’t make any sense. With this new information just reported by Ariel Helwani, it makes even less sense. Jon Jones passed his blood test right after UFC 214, according to multiple sources. This was 24 hours after the positive test. More coming.

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Do you remember those sketches from The Chappelle Show called, When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong? They were not only hilarious to watch, but a lesson for the wise to remember and take with them in their daily lives. You never know when you could step to the wrong person. No matter how big and bad you think you are, chances are there is always someone bigger and badder and maybe even trained in the art of hand-to-hand combat. Imagine getting so pissed off at someone in traffic, that you follow them home. Now picture that the person you’re going to confront steps out and — not only are they a 210-pound tank of a man — it’s Pride Fighting Championships veteran, Enson Inoue. Check out this loser. Blasted his horn at me, I turned, and followed me to my house. He parked his car down the… https://t.co/OK2RRHoBES

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Aside from his first round knockout of Dustin Poirier, Michael Johnson hasn’t had a good track record as of late. Despite only having one win in his last five fights, it’s not like Johnson is a slouch. In his 17 UFC fights at lightweight, he’s beaten the likes of Tony Ferguson, Edson Barboza and Joe Lauzon. However, he thinks this recent run may be corrected with an adjustment, something he just dropped out of left field at a public Q & A. Michael Johnson wants to cut down to featherweight and he isn’t even thinking about a warm-up fight. He challenged none other than Jose Aldo for his 145-pound debut. https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/903647322223112193

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Justin Gaethje is one of the most exciting fighters on this planet, or probably any other. If you weren’t accustomed to his entertaining violence before in World Series of Fighting, you were introduced to him in his ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Michael Johnson at UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 25 season finale. Unfortunately, the Nevada State Athletic Commission thinks Gaethje is a little too exciting. His trademark backflip off the cage celebration has been banned. So, you won’t see him doing any acrobatic stunts if he gets a win over Eddie Alvarez. “As a kid, I used to flip off anything. Anything and everything. My mom hated it. One time at the church, I tried to flip off a counter, and it broke and I busted my head open on the floor. I’ve been doing it off everything. I only do it when I get a sweet knockout or a sweet finish. So, I’ve done it a few times after probably eight fights. But, no more in Vegas.”

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

They don’t call him “Money” Mayweather for nothing. Floyd Mayweather came out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in what turned out to be a very smart business move. Just showing up in the arena on fight night earned Mayweather $100 million. With the endorsements, pay-per-view cut and other unspoken bonuses, Mayweather probably doubled or even tripled his winnings. Oh yeah, not to mention he won a solid gold belt that is packed with 4,260 precious stones. All of this led to Floyd Mayweather comparing the boxing match to a bank robbery. A robbery he thinks should land him in the Guinness Book of World Records. I'm going in the Guinness Book of World Records for that heist. @PhilippPlein78 #TMT #TBE pic.twitter.com/2d5AdmA9lg

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Sometimes, those small UFC events in between the big pay-per-views reward us with a load of combat violence that makes being a fan all worth while. In November, after the smoke from Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre has cleared, the UFC touches down in Norfolk, Virginia for a pretty killer free card. Just added last night, John Dodson will take on former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes in a big test for both fighters. There might be someone ready to fight me. More details coming soon. pic.twitter.com/TNEDqBQSK1

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

The Jon Jones news exploded right in the middle of Conor McGregor fighting Floyd Mayweather and still hasn’t slowed down. The UFC light heavyweight champion allegedly tested positive for the steroid Turinabol. While he waits for the results of his B sample, everyone you can think of has weighed in on the controversy. Dana White went on record saying Jon Jones was too talented to use performance enhancing drugs. His manager also continues to stand by his side.  A new voice added to the fray today is Andy Foster. He’s the California State Athletic Commission Executive Director and he spoke to MMA Junkie about why he’s confused about the Jones situation. “This entire situation doesn’t make any sense to me. It just doesn’t. If you’re doing a steroid panel, then [Turbinol] is going to show up every time. The fact that it didn’t show up on [July 6 and 7] when he was tested before, that’s an indication that he was not on that drug at that time.”

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

Don’t tell Khabib Nurmagomedov that it’s looking like Nate Diaz will get the next shot at Conor McGregor. After once again missing out on a fight with Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC lightweight title, he’s decided to skip that match-up altogether. After all, why fight for an interim belt if you can fight for the real thing? McGregor said a fight with Khabib in Russia was on his radar and Dana White has mentioned it too, now Nurmagomedov is ready to cash in on the talk. https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/901698604414459905

Russell Ess - August 31, 2017

The richest fight in combat sports history ended with a 10th round TKO as Floyd Mayweather landed some clean punches that had Conor McGregor wobbling in the ring. Many thought the stoppage was the right call while others claimed it could have gone longer to give McGregor a chance at recovering. Darragh O’Carrol, a former ringside doctor and emergency physician wrote an article for Tonic and gave his professional opinion on the stoppage. With McGregor claiming after the fight that he was more fatigued than hurt, O’Carrol agreed with referee Robert Byrd’s decision to call an end to the fight at the moment he did. O’Carrol explained that Byrd likely didn’t call off the fight due to signs of McGregor just being tired.