MMA News
Michael Chandler interested in facing Colby Covington after UFC Tampa: "He just doesn't have it anymore"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is down to meet Colby Covington at 170 pounds. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 309 last month in New York. Back for the first time since being submitted by Dustin Poirier two years ago, Michael Chandler again met Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ previously handed the former Bellator star a knockout loss in a bid for vacant UFC gold in 2021.
Ilia Topuria explains decision to move up to lightweight for his next fight: “I will not leave the title vacant”
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is elaborating on his comments about a lightweight move. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Just months after dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria met another featherweight great in the form of Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title bout riding a wave of momentum, having knocked out Justin Gaethje in April in a rare lightweight appearance.
Drakkar Klose explains why he doesn't think Joel Alvarez fight at UFC Tampa "makes sense"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Drakkar Klose was expecting to fight a ranked opponent in his next fight. After Klose defeated Joaquim Silva at UFC 301 in May to extend his win streak to four in a row, the goal was to return later this year and against a ranked opponent. But, Klose suffered a minor injury in his win which he needed to take care of.
Ilia Topuria's coach explains why his fighter wants to move up to UFC lightweight division: 'He don't want to do this anymore'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Ilia Topuria has expressed a desire to move on from the featherweight division, and his coach has explained why. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight titleholder. He’s had one successful title defense and that was a huge knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 back in October. To capture the gold at 145 pounds, Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski. While some might say a move to lightweight is too soon for Topuria, he’s already beat two future UFC Hall of Famers and stalwarts of the featherweight division.
UFC legend thinks Sean Strickland has fire lit under him going into UFC 312 rematch with Dricus du Plessis: 'That care meter went through the roof'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes that Sean Strickland has a fire lit under him going into UFC 312. Strickland will get a chance to reclaim the UFC Middleweight Championship when he challenges Dricus du Plessis on February 8th. In their first meeting earlier this year, du Plessis clinched a split decision win to take home the 185-pound gold. It was a competitive fight, but Sonnen feels Strickland didn’t exactly care about being a world champion.
Joe Rogan unsure if Conor McGregor will return to UFC following recent sexual assault verdict: “He likes coke”
BJ Penn Staff - December 12, 2024
Joe Rogan is uncertain if we’ll ever see UFC star Conor McGregor back in the Octagon. On Nov. 22, a jury in Dublin, Ireland’s High Court ruled McGregor was civically liable for sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand in local hotel room in 2018. The court ordered the former two-division UFC champion to pay just shy of $260,000 in damages, and the fallout continued from there, as many of his corporate partners — including his beloved Proper No. 12 whiskey — cut ties with him.
Maycee Barber provides positive update on her future after health scare
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC contender Maycee Barber has provided an update on her future in mixed martial arts following a recent health scare. Over the course of the last few years, Maycee Barber has been viewed as a real prospect. She started off incredibly young in mixed martial arts but now, after some fine-tuning and losses, she’s been able to string together a really nice run of form.
Belal Muhammad goes off on Conor McGregor over his actions and his future
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has gone off on Conor McGregor following the latter’s UFC 310 jokes. As we know, Conor McGregor has gone through a pretty big transition in the last month or so. After being found liable in his sexual assault civil case, the perception of the Irishman from the general public has shifted dramatically.
Paddy Pimblett gives his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's potential lightweight move
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria potentially making the move up to lightweight. For the longest time, Paddy Pimblett has been one of the biggest names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While you may not be a big fan of him, nobody can deny the success he’s enjoyed since arriving in the promotion a few years ago.
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was "scared" to train with him in the past
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was scared to train with him in the past. While Covington was in training camp for the second fight against Kamaru Usman, Buckley showed up to MMA Masters. There, he says he met Covington for the first time, and when Buckley asked if he needed any help, ‘Chaos’ reportedly shot it down.
Corey Anderson vs. Vadim Nemkov 3 added to the undercard of Bellator Dubai in January
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Corey Anderson will face Vadim Nemkov again in January. Next month, the promotion is set to hold its biggest event since being bought by the PFL in late 2023. In the main event of Bellator Champions Series: Dubai, Usman Nurmagomedov will defend his gold against Paul Hughes. The 18-0 lightweight champion will look to halt the Irishman’s progress, who is fresh off a win over A.J. McKee in October.
Colby Covington sends threatening warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa: "I'm going to break every bone in his body"
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Colby Covington has sent a scathing warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa. Covington and Buckley are set to headline UFC Tampa on Saturday in an intriguing welterweight bout. It’s Covington’s first fight in a year since he lost to Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
Global Fight League announces April 2025 launch, roster comprised of 8 ex-UFC champions including Tyron Woodley
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
Earlier today, the newly founded Global Fight League announced a spree of signings including Tyron Woodley. Heading into 2025, the MMA space is largely lacking big-name promoters. While the UFC and Dana White are going strong, the likes of PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship have all seen better days. Organizations such as KSW and RIZIN have kept their footholds in the market, but haven’t drawn a lot of North American attention as of late.
Colby Covington unleashes on 'woman beater' Jon Jones: "He is a f*cking coward!"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC welterweight Colby Covington has again taken aim at heavyweight champion Jon Jones. ‘Chaos’ is set to return to the cage for the first time in a year this Saturday night in Tampa. Back for the first time since losing to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December, Colby Covington will meet Joaquin Buckley. For his part, ‘New Mansa’ is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
Alexandre Pantoja believes Kai Kara-France is most likely title challenger following UFC 310 win: "Makes the most sense"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja believes a fight with Kai Kara-France is likely next. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja faced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 32-year-old was granted a near-unprecedented title shot in his promotional debut, given the Brazilian’s dominance over the division.
Yuya Wakamatsu wants shot at vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
It’s been over two years since #2-ranked flyweight MMA contender Yuya Wakamatsu last challenged for the gold. And now that he’s accumulated a strong three-fight winning streak, the Japanese jouster wants his punt at the vacant belt. “Little Piranha” dominated newcomer Gilbert Nakatani this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium at ONE Fight Night 26, strengthening his chance to vie for the weight bracket’s coveted prize.
UFC veteran announces shocking retirement one month after submission loss: 'Injuries have caught up with me'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
One UFC fighter has stunned the MMA community with the announcement of his retirement. Since his days under the Cage Warriors banner, fans enjoyed the fighting style of Jack Shore, and for good reason. Shore has only gone the distance four times in his career and he’s scored nine submissions and four knockouts. With 13 finishes in 17 wins and only three losses on his resume, one wouldn’t think that a 29-year-old would walk away from the sport.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting theory on Ilia Topuria's callout of Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier has shared why he thinks Ilia Topuria called out Charles Oliveira. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, but he has flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight. In fact, he has already shown interest in expediting the process. More recently, “El Matador” suggest a clash with Oliveira where the winner gets a shot at the 155-pound gold.