MMA News
Chael Sonnen reveals Israel Adesanya's return fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2023
Chael Sonnen believes he knows who and when Israel Adesanya will be making his return to the Octagon. Adesanya hasn’t fought since September when he suffered a lopsided decision loss to Sean Strickland to lose his middleweight title. Since then, Adesanya jokingly said he wouldn’t return until 2027, which he has walked back on and claimed he will be back sooner rather than later.
RIZIN's Nobuyuki Sakakibara open to PFL co-promotion after Bellator sale: "Doors always open"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara is open to working with PFL and Donn Davis, but it will take some time. The annual New Year’s event for RIZIN is slated for this weekend. Headlined by Kyoji Horiguchi’s rematch against Makoto Takahashi, the card also features high-profile names such as Juan Archuleta, Kai Asakura, John Dodson, and more. While a fun event, this year’s event will look radically different than last year’s.
Colby Covington responds to 'complete scrub' Michael Chandler after prelim comment: "I'm an all-time great!"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is unhappy with Michael Chandler. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 296 earlier this month. For Colby Covington, the bout was his first in well over a year, and it didn’t go well. Facing Leon Edwards in the main event of the pay-per-view offering from Las Vegas, he was dominated. The sight of Covington losing was a delight to some, including Michael Chandler.
Paige VanZant rules out retirement, but admits BKFC return is far from set: "I don’t know if it’s down the road"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
It appears that Paige VanZant isn’t fully done with competing in BKFC. ‘12 Gauge’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports since a rematch with Rachel Ostovich in July 2021. That bout took place just two and a half years after Paige VanZant defeated the Hawaiian in the UFC cage. However, their bare-knuckle boxing match looked radically different.
Colby Covington doubles down on comments about Ian Machado Garry’s marriage: “I'd be honoured to settle that”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Colby Covington is doubling down on the comments he’s made regarding Ian Machado Garry’s marriage. Covington (17-4 MMA) is licking his wounds after his unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) at UFC 296 on December 16th. The main event welterweight title fight saw ‘Rocky’ retain the belt.
Daniel Cormier is confused why fighters are still “overlooking” UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Daniel Cormier is confused as to why fighters are still ‘overlooking’ UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Strickland (28-5 MMA) is scheduled to defend his title against Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) at UFC 297 which takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dana White reveals he’s in talks with Conor McGregor following the Irishman’s recent UFC rant: “We’re gonna figure something out”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Dana White is revealing that he’s in talks with Conor McGregor following the Irishman’s recent UFC rant. Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA), opposing TUF 31 coaches, were to battle it out in the Octagon following the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter. Well, TUF 31 concluded in August of this year and to date there has been no announcement by Dana White and the promotion as to when the McGregor vs. Chandler bout will take place.
Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor is postponing his UFC return in hopes of getting an “easier fight”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor is postponing his UFC return in hopes of getting an ‘easier fight’. The UFC and CEO Dana White lead everyone to believe that following ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF)’ we would see opposing coaches Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) battle it out in the Octagon.
Up next! UFC Fight Night: ‘Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker 2’ Fight Card & Start Times
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023
The first UFC event of the new year will be headlined by a blockbuster light heavyweight showdown between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Following UFC 296 earlier this month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship went on something of a break over the holidays – as they tend to do. Now, as we approach the new year, it’s time to get pumped up about the prospect of some massive fights that lie ahead in 2024.
Quinton Jackson reveals the one time he ended up crying in the UFC locker room: “I’m almost ashamed to say it”
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023
Quinton Jackson has admitted that he once cried in the UFC locker room – for a fight he didn’t even take part in. Over the course of his career Quinton Jackson, better known as ‘Rampage’, has been a fan favorite in mixed martial arts. Between his electric style and larger than life personality, he’s even been able to crossover into Hollywood.
Islam Makhachev sends warning to Justin Gaethje following recent callout
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Islam Makhachev has sent a warning to BMF title holder Justin Gaethje following his recent callout. The current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is not mincing words after the most recent callout from Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA).
Photo | Sean Strickland looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of UFC 297
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Sean Strickland looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his first attempted title defense at next month’s UFC 297 event. It will be Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA) versus Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) in a middleweight title fight next month, on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cody Garbrandt eyes future “money fight” with UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley: “I would just love to go and smack him around”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC sensation Cody Garbrandt believes a showdown with rival Sean O’Malley is in his future. Across his last two bouts, Cody Garbrandt has been able to get back on the winning track. He’s defeated Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher, with the latter coming via emphatic knockout at UFC 296. Now, the 32-year-old wants to reignite his push for another UFC bantamweight championship run.
Justin Gaethje says he’s “waiting on the call” for UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: “Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC star Justin Gaethje has said that he is “waiting on the call” regarding a title shot against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. For as long as we can remember, Justin Gaethje has been seen as one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He’s quick, he’s got an entertaining style, and he has more UFC bonuses than we can count.
Holly Holm's manager alleges that Miesha Tate turned down rematch despite UFC 300 callout
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2023
Don’t expect to see Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate 2 going down at UFC 300 in April. The historic card is expected to include a lot of high-profile matchups, and fighters. Already, bouts such as Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar, and Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic have been added to the card. Furthermore, names such as Conor McGregor have also been linked to the event.
Corey Anderson slams Joe Rogan's 'wasting career' comments: "Fame doesn't pay bills, money does"
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight Corey Anderson has some issues with UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s recent comments. ‘Overtime’ has been out of action since a fight with Phil Davis in June at Bellator 297. There, Corey Anderson scored a split-decision win, another high-profile win for him. Since leaving the UFC in 2020, the light-heavyweight has earned a 4-1 (1 NC) record. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that he’s benefitted from the move.
Conor McGregor vents frustration over mistreatment from the UFC: “My patience is wearing thin”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC sensation Conor McGregor has given his thoughts on how he has been treated by the promotion recently. Over the course of the last few months, fight fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of Conor McGregor. Many thought it would happen in December, but it didn’t. Then, he was expected to make his comeback at UFC 300 – but again, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.
Aljamain Sterling was shocked by the dismal pay-per-view numbers generated from UFC 292 fight with Sean O’Malley
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has admitted that he was surprised by the PPV numbers generated from his fight against Sean O’Malley. Earlier this year, Aljamain Sterling was able to defeat Henry Cejudo and successfully retain his UFC bantamweight championship. Then, just a matter of months later, he went up against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292. While it was a quick turnaround, many still felt as if Sterling was the favorite to get the win.