MMA News
Daniel Cormier responds to wrestling challenge from Khamzat Chimaev: “Love that you’re confident but brother this is 10-0 DC!”
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2021
Daniel Cormier has questioned the logic of Khamzat Chimaev after “Borz” challenged him to a wrestling match. It’s safe to say that Khamzat Chimaev is a confident young man. From his 4-0 start in the UFC to what he says on social media, he’s attempting to edge his way towards a title shot – and he’s also challenging everyone under the sun.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson explains why he has no interest in being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2021
Former UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has explained why he isn’t interested in being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has spent the last eight years of his career competing in Bellator MMA. While he’s had some success in the promotion, it seems as if he’s edging towards the idea of a move over to boxing – especially after his involvement in Triller’s Triad Combat event.
Photo | Cody Garbrandt is skin and bone ahead of UFC flyweight debut
Christopher Taylor - November 29, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Grabrandt is looking incredibly skinny two weeks ahead of his flyweight debut. Garbrandt (12-4 MMA) made the decision to test the waters at 125lbs following his unanimous decision loss to Rob Font back in May. That setback served as Cody’s fourth in his past five fights, with three of those defeats coming by way of knockout.
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Brock Lesnar
Drake Riggs - November 29, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev wants to prove that he fears no man. The undefeated “Borz” is fresh off of two strong performances following his battle with COVID-19. On Monday, Chimaev took to Twitter to let two former champions know that he’s interested – one particularly larger than the other.
Diego Sanchez continues to battle for his life in hospital: "No fight camp or opponent has dominated me like this
Christopher Taylor - November 29, 2021
UFC legend Diego Sanchez remains hospitalized while enduring what he calls the “biggest fight of a fighters life”. The former UFC lightweight title challenger, Sanchez (30-13 MMA), took to social media last week where he shared a photo from a hospital bed revealing he has both pneumonia and COVID-19.
Khabib Nurmagomedov doubles down on support of Islam Makhachev getting title shot, 'If you have a nine-fight win streak, you have to fight for the title'
Drake Riggs - November 29, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be changing his mind anytime soon when it comes to the UFC lightweight title picture. The former king of the division recently shared his thoughts on the matter when telling former challenger Justin Gaethje that he “fell asleep” in his lone undisputed opportunity. Despite a recent victory in an instant classic with Michael Chandler at UFC 268, Gaethje is behind Islam Makhachev in the pecking order according to “The Eagle.”
UFC Vegas 43 rankings update: Taila Santos jumps into top-five in women's flyweight division
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
Following her latest win, Taila Santos has jumped into the top-five in the women’s flyweight division in the latest set of the UFC rankings. Santos obliterated Joanne Wood at UFC Vegas 43 when she knocked her down twice and then choked her out for the biggest win of her MMA career to date. Santos, who is now 4-1 overall in the UFC, made a huge leap up the latest set of UFC rankings, jumping all the way to No. 5 in the promotion at her weight class. As for Wood, she dropped down to No. 6, and everyone else who was above Santos originally but below Wood also fell by one spot.
Joel Alvarez vs. Arman Tsarukyan added to upcoming UFC Fight Night card
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
An intriguing matchup between top-15 ranked lightweight Joel Alvarez and Arman Tsarukyan has been added to an upcoming UFC Fight Night card. TASS report Igor Lazorin was the first to report that Alvarez vs. Tsarukyan will take place on a UFC Fight Night card set for February 26th. The event is set to be headlined by a five-round lightweight bout featuring top contenders Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush, so this Fight Night card features four of the top-15 ranked lightweights in the world on it.
Charles Oliveira praised by former rival Jim Miller following career turnaround: "It's absolutely awesome to see"
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
Charles Oliveira was praised by former rival Jim Miller following career turnaround, with Miller saying “it’s absolutely awesome to see.” Oliveira and Miller have fought twice in the past. The first time they met was in December 2010 at UFC 124, with Miller submitting Oliveira with a nasty kneebar. They then fought again in 2018 at UFC on FOX: Lee vs. Iaquinta, and this time it was Oliveira who finished Miller with a first-round submission. Given that Miller is not a ranked lightweight anymore, a trilogy fight with Oliveira seems hard to see ever happening. But that’s okay with Miller. As far as the veteran goes, he is just very happy to see how well Oliveira has been doing.
Carla Esparza says Joanna Jedrzejczyk rematch "would be a much different fight"
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza says that a Joanna Jedrzejczyk rematch “would be a much different fight.” Esparza defeated Yan Xiaonan earlier this year by TKO in one of the best performances of her UFC career to date. The former champ is now hoping the UFC gives her a title shot against UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas — who Esparza previously defeated to become the UFC’s first-ever 115lbs women’s champ — but that is no sure thing. UFC president Dana White has hinted that the promotion is instead looking at a potential matchup for the title between Namajunas and Marina Rodriguez instead, which would leave Esparza on the sidelines without a fight. However, she says she would fight Jedrzejczyk.
Alex Pereira "three fights" away from fighting Israel Adesanya, says Glover Teixeira
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
New UFC middleweight fighter Alex Pereira is “three fights” away from fighting Israel Adesanya for the championship, says Glover Teixeira. Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing star who made his UFC debut earlier this month at UFC 268 in spectacular fashion when he knocked out Andreas Michailidis with a flying knee. Considering Pereira holds a previous KO win over Adesanya in kickboxing, his teammate Teixeira believes that win will help him fast-track up the 185lbs ladder and get closer to a title shot against the champ. As far as Teixeira goes, it’s possible that we could see Pereira fight for the UFC middleweight title in just three fights if he continues to look in sharp form.
Quinton Jackson says "UFC and Bellator should be worried" about Triller Triad Combat
Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion legend Quinton Jackson says that the “UFC and Bellator should be worried” about Triller Triad Combat. Jackson was a guest at the Triller Triad Combat event that took place this past Saturday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Jackson did not fight at the event, but he was seen getting into it with boxer Shannon Briggs, and there is a good chance we see these two meet in the Triad ring sometime in 2022. It appears as though Jackson has taken a liking to what Triller is doing, and he believes the promotion has been things in store for its future. In fact, Jackson believes that Triller will soon be able to rival the UFC and Bellator.
Fabricio Werdum shares detailed prediction for Ciryl Gane vs Francis Ngannou title fight
Harry Kettle - November 29, 2021
UFC veteran Fabricio Werdum has given his thoughts on what will go down between Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. In January, we’ll finally see Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou collide with the undisputed UFC heavyweight title on the line. Ngannou is the reigning champion, but many believe Gane will pose a significant threat to his reign as the king of the division.
Tyron Woodley reveals plans for 2022, says he will return to MMA next July
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley revealed his plans for 2022, saying that he will return to MMA next July. Woodley was released by the UFC earlier this year following a submission loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 260. He then made the move to the world of boxing and made his professional boxing debut when he took on Jake Paul in August. Although Woodley lost a split decision in that fight, he made a lot of money doing so, and it feels like he still has more fights left for him inside the boxing ring. Indeed, it looks like Woodley is interested in boxing again — in addition to competing in MMA and then two other combat sports events.
Colby Covington explains why Kamaru Usman did not deserve 10-8 round at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington explained why champion Kamaru Usman did not deserve 10-8 round in their rematch at UFC 268. Covington lost a unanimous decision to Usman earlier this month at UFC 268 in what was a very competitive fight between the two rivals. While most of the rounds were close, the second round is the one where Usman appeared to take the lead as he knocked Covington down twice. However, none of the three judges cageside gave Usman a 10-8 round, so when fans and the media on social media gave him a 10-8, Covington disagreed with them.
Colby Covington won't consider dropping down to 155lbs: "I'm not a bully"
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says that he won’t consider dropping down to 155lbs, saying that “I’m not a bully.” Covington recently lost a close decision to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 268 earlier this month. Since this is the second time that Covington has lost to Usman, there are now hints that “Chaos” could consider a weight class change, with a move down to 155lbs a possibility since he isn’t a big welterweight. But as far as Covington goes, those rumors are not coming from him, because he has no desire to cut all the weight to make it to lightweight. Speaking to MMANews reporter James Lynch, Covington explained why he won’t cut down to 155 and be a “bully” as he suggests Dustin Poirier is.
Mike Perry issues statement following big upset win at Triller Triad Combat
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
Former UFC welterweight fighter Mike Perry issued a statement following his big upset win over Michael Seals at Triller Triad Combat. Perry was released by the UFC a few months ago and he signed with Triller for this matchup against Seals. Despite Seals entering the fight as a -1000 betting favorite and Perry being a +600 betting underdog, it was “Platinum” who was able to get the win in the fight. Taking to his social media following his big win over Seals, Perry issued a statement.
Islam Makhachev opens up as big betting favorite against Beneil Dariush
Adam Martin - November 28, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Beneil Dariush when they fight in early 2022. Makhachev vs. Dariush was officially announced this weekend, and the fight will take place on February 26 in what will be a five-round non-title main event. It goes without saying that this fight between Makhachev and Dariush is one of the biggest fights that the lightweight division currently offers, and it seems fair to assume the winner of this fight is going to get a title shot at 155lbs. Justin Gaethje is first up for the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier, and the winner of Makhachev/Dariush will be up next.