MMA News
Dana White takes aim at Francis Ngannou, claims the UFC nearly cut 'The Predator' after loss to Derrick Lewis
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has continued to take aim at Francis Ngannou. White and Ngannou hadn’t seen eye-to-eye well before ‘The Predator’ left the UFC to sign with the PFL and box. But, following the Power Slap event on Thursday, White was speaking to the media and claimed he nearly cut Ngannou before he became the heavyweight champ.
'Optimistic' Donn Davis says Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou is unlikely, but not impossible
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
PFL Chairman Donn Davis isn’t exactly ruling out Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. Jones vs. Ngannou is a fight that escaped the UFC’s grasp. Ngannou, who was the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, decided to leave the promotion to pursue lucrative boxing matches and a PFL contract. While Jones and Ngannou traded barbs over the situation, “Bones” was recently complimentary of “The Predator’s” successful return to MMA.
Belal Muhammad dismisses Ilia Topuria's three-division champion claim: "Short guys always act like they’re tough"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
Belal Muhammad finds humor in Ilia Topuria’s plan to become a three-division UFC champion. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He will be putting his title at stake against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. It’s “El Matador’s” first attempt at a successful title defense.
Coach: Kayla Harrison brings excitement back to UFC women's bantamweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison’s coach, Matt Brown, believes his fighter is bringing buzz back to the women’s bantamweight division. Since Amanda Nunes walked away from pro MMA competition, some feel the women’s 135-pound division has been missing a spark. More recently, Julianna Pena defeated Raquel Pennington to recapture the bantamweight gold. Fans have scoffed at the current state of the division, however.
Joaquin Buckley reveals his frustration at UFC welterweight division
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Shara Magomedov explains why Michael Bisping is his MMA inspiration
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
UFC star Shara Magomedov has explained why he views former champion Michael Bisping as an inspiration. As many of you know, Shara Magomedov is viewed by many as the next big thing. The 30-year-old is 14-0 in his professional mixed martial arts career and he’s 3-0 since arriving in the UFC. This weekend, he’ll attempt to extend that record when he goes head to head with Armen Petrosyan in what promises to be an electric bout.
Dustin Poirier thinks Ilia Topuria's KO prediction of Max Holloway is "almost impossible"
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Dustin Poirier has questioned whether or not Ilia Topuria is capable of one-punch KO’ing Max Holloway at UFC 308. On Saturday night, Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Max Holloway. In the eyes of many, this is the most fascinating fight on the calendar in mixed martial arts. No matter which way you slice it, this one has the potential to be a Fight of the Year contender.
Jake Hadley opens up on recent UFC departure
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Former UFC fighter Jake Hadley has opened up on his recent departure from the promotion. For the longest time, it felt as if Jake Hadley had the potential to become a real player in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, things never quite clicked into place for him. Following a run of 3-4 in the promotion, including a loss to Cameron Smotherman last weekend, he was not re-signed to a new contract.
Dan Ige expecting a "fun fight" against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308, hopes for a big fight next: "It lines me up for something big"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Dan Ige is expecting a fun fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes back at UFC 303 in a fight he took on only a couple of hours’ notice. It was a hectic day for the Hawaiian and he says he was glad he did it as he proved to everyone just how good he is.
Israel Adesanya predicts Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t expecting Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev to go the full distance at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev battle in a potential No. 1 contender fight at UFC 308 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event is one of the most anticipated co-headliners in recent memory based on the decorated runs of both stars.
Glory superstar Rico Verhoeven sends a message to Francis Ngannou about possible crossover fight: "This must happen!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Glory heavyweight kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has a crossover fight with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou at the top of his fighting priority list. Ngannou defeated 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira in the Battle of the Giants main event last Saturday in Riyadh. He made his long-awaited return to MMA to make his PFL debut, finishing Ferreira in the first round by ground and pound.
PFL founder Donn Davis responds to Usman Nurmagomedov’s comments about a future UFC move
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
PFL founder Donn Davis didn’t take long to respond to Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov’s timeline for a potential move to the UFC. Nurmagomedov, regarded by many as one of the top fighters outside of the UFC, defeated Alexandr Shabliy by unanimous decision in his last Bellator title defense. Usman is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Robert Whittaker says he's "coming for war" against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308: "Hardest fight of my life"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Robert Whittaker is expecting a war against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev are rebooked to fight in a pivotal fight at middleweight with the winner likely getting a title shot. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Whittaker knows will be a tough out for him.
VIDEO | Mike Tyson brutalizes sparring partner in preparation for Jake Paul fight
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Boxing legend Mike Tyson isn’t holding back in training for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. ‘Iron Mike’ hasn’t competed in a professional boxing match in nearly two decades. Mike Tyson last stepped into the ring in June 2005, suffering a stoppage loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. 19 years later, the 58-year-old legend will lace up the gloves one final time against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Max Holloway opens up on CTE concerns ahead of UFC 308 return: "I don't want to be a vegetable when I'm older"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Max Holloway is opening up on his concerns about brain trauma ahead of his UFC 308 return. ‘Blessed’ is set to return to the cage in Abu Dhabi this Saturday night. Back for the first time since scoring a fifth-round knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, Max Holloway will face Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ famously won featherweight gold with a stoppage victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
Khamzat Chimaev dismisses Sean Strickland's recent criticism, opens up on prior training session: "I tapped him out"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has opened up on his training sessions with former UFC champion Sean Strickland. ‘Borz’ is set to return to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday night. Back for the first time since defeating Kamaru Usman by a majority-decision last October, Khamzat Chimaev will meet Robert Whittaker. ‘The Reaper’ enters the five-round bout riding a two-fight winning streak last knocking out Ikram Aliskerov in June.
Chael Sonnen questions Colby Covington's UFC return after recent movie, business offers
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen spent some time with Colby Covington in Florida and wonders if the three-time title challenger will compete in the Octagon again. Covington hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 last year. He was briefly linked to a return at UFC 303 against Ian Machado Garry.
Ilia Topuria shoots down the idea of rematching Alexander Volkanovski in Australia: "I'm the champion"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Ilia Topuria says if he rematches Alexander Volkanovski it will not be in Australia as ‘The Great’ wants. The UFC is returning to Sydney in February and Volkanovski says he wants to return on that card and fight for the title. However, should Topuria beat Max Holloway at UFC 308 and defend his belt, he says he won’t be going to Australia to defend his belt.
Diego Lopes willing to fight Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney: "I'm ready"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
Diego Lopes isn’t opposed to colliding with Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney. Lopes has been emerging as a top contender in the featherweight division. He recently battered Brian Ortega at UFC 306 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas. He’s been so impressive that the UFC has given him a backup role if he’s needed for the 145-pound title bout this Saturday.