MMA News
Robert Whittaker shares theory on Dricus du Plessis' UFC success: "I do believe that is one of the major reasons"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Robert Whittaker thinks he knows why Dricus du Plessis has been nabbing some key wins in the UFC. Dricus du Plessis is riding a seven-fight winning streak. He hasn’t been defeated since October 2017 when he was knocked out by Roberto Soldić. Du Plessis has beaten the likes of Derek Brunson and Darren Till. At UFC 290 on July 8, Dricus du Plessis will take on former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. A win would almost guarantee du Plessis a shot at the current 185-pound titleholder Israel Adesanya.
Maycee Barber on Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko UFC rematch: "It's a toss-up"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Maycee Barber has chimed in on the rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko reportedly being in the works. Barber is coming off perhaps the biggest showing of her pro MMA career. In a bloody UFC Jacksonville scrap, Maycee Barber finished Amanda Ribas via second-round TKO. The win earned Barber a “Performance of the Night” bonus.
Eddie Hearn reacts to Canelo Alvarez leaving Matchroom Boxing for PBC: "We were asked to make the Bivol fight that wasn't possible"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has spoken on losing Canelo Alvarez to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). Hearn had been promoting most of Canelo’s recent outings. Canelo fought under Eddie Hearn’s banner in six of his last seven outings. While Hearn seemingly enjoyed his time working with the Mexican star, it was time for a change. Canelo has signed a multifight deal with PBC, where he can fight the likes of Jermall Charlo and David Benavidez.
Raush Manfio's manager slams PFL over regular season suspension: "Just a bad look"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Raush Manfio’s manager is none too pleased with the PFL’s decision to suspend his fighter and Natan Schulte from the 2023 regular season. Much has been made over the recent PFL 6 bout between Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte. The two went one-on-one during the preliminary portion of the card. Fight fans got very little action with this one, and it was quite clear that both men hesitated. As it turns out, Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte have a close friendship. Schulte also happens to be the godfather of Manfio’s daughter.
Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio receive suspensions from PFL for substandard performance in Atlanta
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
The PFL has suspended two fighters from the 2023 season. Natan Schulte and Rush Manfio were in action for PFL 6 this past Friday (June 23). The two shared the cage on the preliminary portion of the card. It was a bizarre fight with very little action. Schulte won the bout via unanimous decision.
Austen Lane issues apology to Justin Tafa for fight-ending eye poke at UFC Jacksonville
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Former NFL player turned MMA heavyweight Austen Lane is apologizing for how his UFC Jacksonville bout ended. Austen Lane went one-0n-one with Justin Tafa on the main card of UFC Jacksonville this past Saturday (June 24). This was Lane’s UFC debut. Things went south in a hurry, as Austen Lane caught Justin Tafa with a nasty accidental eye poke.
Conor McGregor calls out Artem Lobov for not returning to Russia: "Still in Ireland on benefits"
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
Conor McGregor has called out his former friend and training partner Artem Lobov for not returning home to Russia. Russia is of course at war with the Ukraine and the ongoing conflict has created chaos in both nations. The situation now has a new wrinkle as it is being reported that a rebellion run by Yevgeny Prigozhin is challenging Vladimir Putin’s reign of power. If true, this new controversy could lead to a civil war.
Ilia Topuria lists his lone stipulation for accepting a fight with Max Holloway
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
Ilia Topuria is willing to fight former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway next on one condition. Topuria (14-0) faced the biggest test of his MMA career at this afternoon as he collided with Josh Emmett (18-4 MMA) in the UFC Jacksonville main event.
UFC Jacksonville Bonus Report: David Onama one of four fighters to take home $50k
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
The Octagon returned to Florida for today’s UFC Jacksonville event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria. The highly anticipated featherweight main event resulted in a masterful performance from the still undefeated Ilia Topurai. ‘El Matador’ was able to batter Josh Emmett with punches and kicks throughout the course of their twenty-five-minute affair, cruising to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. It was a statement win for the surging contender and one that had many fight fans calling for Topuria to receive the next featherweight title shot following next month’s Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez fight at UFC 290.
Pros react after Ilia Topuria defeats Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
Tonight’s UFC Jacksonville main featured a key featherweight contest between perennial contenders Ilia Topuria and Josh Emmett. Emmett (18-4 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a submission loss to Yair Rodriguez in a bout for the promotion‘s interim featherweight title back in February. Prior to that defeat, the 38-year-old American had put together a five-fight win streak, which included knockouts victories over Michael Johnson and Mirsad Bektic.
UFC Jacksonville Results: Ilia Topuria defeats Josh Emmett (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Jacksonville results, including the featherweight main event between Ilia Topuria and Josh Emmett. Emmett (18-3 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a submission loss to Yair Rodriguez in a bout for the promotion‘s interim featherweight title back in February. Prior to that setback, the 38-year-old American had put together a five-fight win streak, which included knockouts victories over Michael Johnson and Mirsad Bektic.
Pros react after Maycee Barber TKO's Amanda Ribas at UFC Jacksonville
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
Tonight’s UFC Jacksonville co-main featured a key women’s flyweight contest between Amanda Ribas and Maycee Barber. Ribas (12-4) had most previously competed at March’s UFC 285 event, where she picked up a unanimous decision victory over Viviane Araujo. The Brazilian had gone 3-2 over her previous five Octagon appearances ahead of this afternoon’s event.
UFC Jacksonville Results: Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane ends in a no-contest (Video)
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Jacksonville results, including the heavyweight fight between Justin Tafa and Austen Lane. Tafa (6-3 MMA) enters the contest on a two-fight win streak, his most recent victory coming by way of knockout over Parker Porter this past February. The New Zealand born fighter has gone 3-3 since joining the UFC ranks in October of 2019.
UFC Jacksonville Results: Neil Magny defeats Philip Rowe
Chris Taylor - June 24, 2023
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Jacksonville results, including the featured prelim between Neil Magny and Philip Rowe. Magny (28-10 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a submission loss to Gilbert Burns in his most recent Octagon appearance this past January. Prior to that setback, ‘The Haitian Sensation‘ was coming off of a submission victory over Daniel Rodriguez.
Jon Anik weighs in on the possibility of Ronda Rousey getting an immediate title shot in UFC return: "I didn't like that Henry Cejudo came back and cut the line"
Chris Taylor - June 23, 2023
UFC commentator Jon Anik is not a big fan of the idea of Ronda Rousey getting an immediate title shot should she return to the Octagon. Rousey (12-2 MMA) has not competed in MMA since suffering a devastating beatdown at the hands of Amanda Nunes in December of 2016. That setback to ‘The Lioness’ marked Ronda’s second straight defeat, as she was previously knocked out cold by Holly Holm in November of 2015.
Francis Ngannou takes issue with Dana White's comments to Pat McAfee on failed Jon Jones fight
Chris Taylor - June 23, 2023
Francis Ngannou was not impressed by the recent comments made by UFC President Dana White on the Pat McAfee show. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) of course signed with PFL (Professional Fighters League) last month after being offered ‘equity and leadership’ roles within the company. In addition to having a seat on the athlete advisory board and the role of PFL Africa chairman, the agreement also allows for ‘The Predator’ to seek out his own boxing matches.
Sean O’Malley shares prediction for Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Vera fight at UFC 292
Josh Evanoff - June 23, 2023
UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley believes Henry Cejudo has the edge against Marlon Vera. Earlier this week, the bout was announced between ‘Triple C’ and ‘Chito’. The two will return at UFC 292 in Boston, in what has turned out to be a bantamweight-filled card. In addition to Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Vera, the card itself will be headlined by Aljamain Sterling’s return against Sean O’Malley.
Dana White reveals planned meeting with Elon Musk for Mark Zuckerberg fight: "Like UFC 1 for Christ's sake"
Josh Evanoff - June 23, 2023
Life is stranger than fiction, UFC president Dana White fully intends to make Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk. Over the last few days, the two billionaires have been going back and forth over a potential fight. For a while now, the two have been at odds, as they both manage massive social media platforms. Earlier this week, Elon Musk offered a cage fight to help settle their dispute, and Mark Zuckerberg agreed.