MMA News
What's next for the stars of UFC 296?
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2023
The UFC closed out 2023 with a solid UFC 296 card from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada that saw two titles on the lines. In the main event of UFC 296, Leon Edwards was looking to defend his welterweight title for the second time as he took on Colby Covington. The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja searching for his first title defense against Brandon Royval.
Michael Page reveals that PFL appearance directly led to UFC signing: "Kicked everybody into gear"
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2023
Welterweight contender Michael Page has admitted that his PFL appearance helped push him right into the UFC. ‘MVP’ is the UFC’s newest signing. Dana White himself announced the move late Saturday night, following Colby Covington’s loss to Leon Edwards. In the process, it ended months of speculation as to where Michael Page was headed after ending his lengthy Bellator tenure.
Michael Chandler hilariously mocks Colby Covington's UFC 296 loss: "He took 1776 shots to the face"
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is the latest to mock Colby Covington. ‘Chaos’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 296 over the weekend. For Colby Covington, the bout was his first since a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal last March. In the pay-per-view headliner, he met Leon Edwards. In the build to the bout, Covington was unsurprisingly antagonistic, even invoking the champion’s murdered father.
Bryce Mitchell explains why he's "so happy" with Josh Emmett after UFC 296: "Thank you"
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2023
Bryce Mitchell admits he’s very thankful to Josh Emmett. Mitchell stepped up on short notice to face Emmett in a pivotal fight for the featherweight division win. Despite stepping up on 10 days’ notice, Mitchell was a sizeable betting favorite to beat Emmett at UFC 296.
Dana White admits Bellator going away is "a bad thing" for MMA
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White says Bellator merging into PFL is a bad thing for MMA and the sport as a whole. Bellator was recently purchased by PFL as the two companies will merge into one. However, Bellator will continue under a “reimagined” system at PFL called the Bellator International Champions Series. The Bellator series will include eight events per year with each card featuring two title fights at the top.
Jorge Masvidal reacts to Colby Covington‘s loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2023
Jorge Masvidal has reacted to Colby Covington’s UFC 296 loss to Leon Edwards. ‘Chaos’ ended a nearly two-year hiatus over the weekend, facing Leon Edwards. The bout was the first since a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. Nonetheless, the build to the fight was intense and heated, as Colby Covington publicly mocked the welterweight champion’s deceased father. As a result, many fighters blasted the former interim champion.
Jon Jones offers to buy Leon Edwards a motorcycle following his win over Colby Covington at UFC 296
Susan Cox - December 18, 2023
Jon Jones has offered to buy Leon Edwards a motorcycle following his win over Colby Covington at UFC 296. Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) did indeed defeat Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) in the main event welterweight title fight this past Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Henry Cejudo scolds Sean Strickland for pulling a “bitch move” at UFC 296: “If you can’t take it, then don’t give it”
Susan Cox - December 18, 2023
Henry Cejudo is scolding Sean Strickland for pulling a ‘bitch move’ at UFC 296. It was during UFC 296’s main card this past Saturday night, that saw Strickland and Du Plessis get into a scrap in the crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The two fighters had to be separated, and Strickland was escorted out of the arena.
UFC CEO Dana White admits caliber of opponents has “played a factor” in Tony Ferguson’s lengthy losing skid
Susan Cox - December 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White admits the caliber of opponents has ‘played a factor’ in Tony Ferguson’s lengthy losing skid. UFC 296, which took place this past Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, saw Tony Ferguson (26-10 MMA) vs Paddy Pimblett (21-3 MMA) in a lightweight bout.
Belal Muhammad responds after Leon Edwards questions his claim to a title shot: “Now I know why he doesn’t speak a lot”
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2023
UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad has responded to Leon Edwards after he suggested he shouldn’t be next up for a title shot. Last weekend, Leon Edwards successfully defended his belt at UFC 296. He did so by defeating Colby Covington, and he did so fairly convincingly. Of course, as is so often the case, many fans immediately wanted to know what was next for the reigning king of the 170-pound division.
Dana White addresses Aljamain Sterling having his tickets pulled at UFC 296: “The team reached right out to him”
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has addressed Aljamain Sterling having his tickets pulled prior to the UFC 296 last weekend. On Saturday night, UFC 296 went down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a fascinating event for a multitude of reasons, with plenty of big UFC stars being in attendance to watch the action go down.
UFC CEO Dana White was not impressed by Colby Covington’s comments about Leon Edwards’ father: “It bothered everybody”
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has admitted that he didn’t like Colby Covington’s remarks about Leon Edwards’ deceased father. Last weekend, Colby Covington fell short in his attempt to dethrone Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296. In fact, it was a pretty poor performance overall from the challenger, and fight fans weren’t happy with the resulting bout.
Tony Ferguson issues statement after suffering seventh consecutive loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296: "Keep the faith MF's"
Chris Taylor - December 17, 2023
Tony Ferguson has issued a statement after suffering his seventh consecutive loss at the hands of Paddy Pimblett last night at UFC 296. Ferguson (25-10 MMA) was looking to score his first win since defeating Donald Cerrone via TKO in June of 2019, when he took to the Octagon last night in Las Vegas. ‘El Cucuy’ had gone 0-6 over his previous six fights, a skid which included stoppage losses to Bobby Green, Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje.
Alexandre Pantoja scolds Colby Covington for personal dig at Leon Edwards' father: "That’s the most bullsh*t trash talking ever"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja thinks Colby Covington has crossed a line. Ahead of his UFC 296 title fight against welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Covington made things personal with “Rocky.” Covington vowed to drag his opponent to hell, and then said Edwards would be seeing his late father there. Edwards responded by throwing a bottle at Covington, and he clearly looked to be in a foul mood. Ultimately, Edwards defeated Covington via unanimous decision to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Colby Covington addresses his UFC 296 loss to Leon Edwards
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2023
Colby Covington has faced the music following his UFC 296 loss to Leon Edwards. Covington fell short in another bid for undisputed UFC gold. He challenged Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship in the main event of UFC 296, which emanated from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this past Saturday night (December 16).
Dana White weighs in on the Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis altercation at UFC 296
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2023
Dana White has spoken out on the UFC 296 crowd brawl involving Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland and Du Plessis had a heated moment during a press conference the week of UFC 296. Strickland and Du Plessis will do battle for the UFC Middleweight Championship on January 20, but both men were invited to attend UFC 296 in Las Vegas. Prior to UFC 296, Du Plessis mentioned Strickland’s past issues with abuse from his father.
Dana White announces four fights for UFC 299 in Miami, including Michael Page vs. Kevin Holland
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2023
Dana White has announced a few key fights scheduled for the UFC 299 card. UFC 299 is scheduled to be held inside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on March 9, 2024. The event will be headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship fight between titleholder Sean O’Malley and Marlon “Chito” Vera. Also set for the card is a heavyweight tilt between Jailton Almeida and Curtis Blaydes, and a lightweight clash between Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael dos Anjos.
Bryce Mitchell reacts following brutal knockout loss to Josh Emmett at UFC 296
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2023
Bryce Mitchell has spoken out on his UFC 296 loss against Josh Emmett at UFC 296. Mitchell took on Emmett on the main card of the UFC’s final event of 2023. This was supposed to be a preliminary bout, but with the removal of Ian Garry vs. Vicente Luque, the Mitchell vs. Emmett fight received a promotion. Mitchell was on the wrong end of a one-punch knockout in the opening frame. There was some concern for Mitchell, who appeared to be convulsing when he was unconscious, but the good news is he seems to be doing well in the aftermath.