MMA News
Eddie Hearn reveals Francis Ngannou's boxing debut could come on the same night as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
Francis Ngannou might make his boxing debut on the same card as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ is still waiting to make his return to combat sports, having been out of action for well over a year. In March, the former UFC champion signed with PFL, ending his high-profile free agency. Thanks to the deal, Francis Ngannou retained his right to box, which was one of the factors that forced his move.
Maycee Barber slams Julianna Pena's 'cringy' comments after Amanda Nunes retirement: "That was very stupid"
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
Women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber didn’t like Julianna Pena’s actions during Amanda Nunes’s retirement. ‘The Lioness’ returned to the cage at UFC 289 earlier this month, facing Irene Aldana. However, the women’s bantamweight champion was originally expected to face Julianna Pena in a trilogy bout. Nonetheless, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ pulled out due to injury, and Amanda Nunes faced ‘Robles’.
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 targeted for Mexican Independence Day in September
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
UFC women flyweights Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are nearly set to run it back. The two previously faced off in March at UFC 285 in the co-main event. Entering the contest, ‘Bullet’ was understandably a massive favorite, and was targeting a potential move back up to bantamweight. While Valentina Shevchenko was interested in a trilogy with Amanda Nunes, those plans were derailed by Alexa Grasso.
Mark Zuckerberg opens as gigantic favorite over Elon Musk in potential fight
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
Mark Zuckerberg has opened as a massive betting favorite to beat Elon Musk should the two fight one another. Zuckerberg and Musk recently went back-and-forth on social media and the two agreed to a cage fight in the UFC. Immediately many thought the two weren’t serious, but UFC president Dana White revealed he spoke to both of them, and they are dead serious about making the fight happen.
Bellator gets some serious props from Ariel Helwani: “There is no other promotion, outside of the UFC, that has a collection of champions like that”
Zain Bando - June 22, 2023
Ariel Helwani shares his thoughts about Bellator’s roster Long-time MMA journalist Ariel Helwani always gives credit where credit is due, especially when it comes to the sport as a whole. Last Friday showcased Bellator 297, which featured two world title fights. Bellator light heavyweight champion, Vadim Nemkov, took on Yoel Romero in the main event, while Sergio Pettis fought Patricio Pitbull for the bantamweight strep in the co-main.
Dana White says Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are "dead serious" about fighting each other in the UFC
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
Dana White plans to try and make Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk happen in the UFC. Zuckerberg – the FaceBook co-founder – and Musk – the CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter – recently took shots at one another and said they would fight each other in the Octagon in the UFC. Although not many fans thought it would happen, UFC president Dana White spoke to TMZ and confirmed they are serious about making the fight happen and he hopes it can get made.
Phil Rowe blasts UFC commentators for weight miss criticisms: "It's always negative until the guy is laid out in front of me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Phil Rowe has a bone to pick with UFC commentators. This Saturday (June 24), Phil Rowe will compete in the biggest pro MMA bout of his career. He’ll share the Octagon with Neil Magny inside the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s a significant bout for Rowe, as Magny holds the number 11 spot on the official UFC welterweight rankings. A win will put Phil Rowe in the top 15.
Marlon Vera dismisses Sean O'Malley's resume ahead of 'Sugar's' UFC title fight: "Who has he been in a fight with?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Marlon Vera isn’t sold on Sean O’Malley being deserving of a UFC bantamweight title opportunity. O’Malley is set to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on August 19. The two will collide in the main event of UFC 292. The action will be held inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jeremy Stephens calls out Conor McGregor for a boxing match: “Give the fans what they want”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Jeremy Stephens is calling for a boxing match with Conor McGregor. Stephens has been dabbling into the sweet science as of late. Back in April, he took on soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo in a boxing clash. The bout went the distance and the result was a majority draw. He’ll look to nab his first pro boxing victory when he steps in the ring with Chris Avila. The bout will be featured Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz card on August 5.
Daniel Cormier reacts to sexual assault allegations against Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the sexual assault allegations being made against Conor McGregor. It’s safe to say that Conor McGregor’s future is uncertain. He was supposed to be fighting Michael Chandler later this year, but it doesn’t appear as if that’s going to happen in 2023.
UFC veteran Neil Magny responds to “interesting” callout from undefeated welterweight Ian Garry
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
UFC veteran Neil Magny has given his thoughts on being called out by rising welterweight star Ian Garry. When you think of fan favorite fighters, it’s hard not to think of Neil Magny. While he may not exactly be an all-action star, he’s been an ever-present member of the welterweight division – and he has the most wins in history at 170 pounds.
Israel Adesanya loses out to Jon Jones after campaigning for ESPY’s “Best Comeback Athlete” award
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
Israel Adesanya was not nominated for ESPY Best Comeback Athlete of the Year award, with Jon Jones getting the UFC nod. The last twelve months have certainly been interesting for Israel Adesanya. While he did manage to defeat Jared Cannonier last July in a somewhat tepid affair, he proceeded to lose his UFC middleweight championship after getting finished by long-time rival Alex Pereira at Madison Square Garden.
Gillian Robertson plans to call out Mackenzie Dern after she submits Tabatha Ricci at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Gillian Robertson is making a quick turnaround. Robertson returned at strawweight back in April and submitted Piera Rodriguez in the first round. After the win, she called out Tabatha Ricci and was granted her wish as she will return just two months later at UFC Jacksonville.
Sean Strickland shares some interesting advice to "dumb" Marvin Vettori after loss to Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Sean Strickland has offered Marvin Vettori some advice following his lopsided decision loss to Jared Cannonier. Vettori entered the fight as the betting favorite, but after rocking Cannonier early, ‘The Killa Gorilla’ took over and dominated the rest of the scrap. It was a one-sided decision victory for Cannonier and after Vettori lost – which dropped him to 2-3 in his last five – Strickland shared some interesting advice for ‘The Italian Dream’.
Henry Cejudo opens as a sizeable betting favorite over Marlon Vera at UFC 292
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Henry Cejudo has opened as the betting favorite for his UFC 292 fight against Marlon Vera. Earlier this week, Dana White announced that Cejudo would return at UFC 292 on August 19 in Boston against Vera. It’s an intriguing matchup as ‘Triple C’ looks to rebound from his loss to Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title following his return fight from retirement.
Chris Avila vs. Jeremy Stephens added to the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
Josh Evanoff - June 21, 2023
UFC veterans Chris Avila and Jeremy Stephens have been added to Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz. ‘The Problem Child’ is slated to face the former UFC star in August on DAZN pay-per-view. The bout will be Nate Diaz’s first boxing match and his first combat sports appearance since September. That month at UFC 279, he scored a submission win over Tony Ferguson to close out his contract with the promotion.
John Gotti III reveals Floyd Mayweather rematch is targeted for October: "It was the most googled thing in the whole world"
Josh Evanoff - June 21, 2023
Believe it or not, John Gotti III vs. Floyd Mayweather 2 is somehow on the table. ‘Money’ had yet another exhibition bout earlier this month in Florida. While Floyd Mayweather has continued to compete in an exhibition capacity, the vast majority of these bouts have been treated as little more than sparring sessions. Over the last few years, the boxer has faced YouTubers such as Logan Paul and Deji.
Eddie Hearn labels Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz a mismatch: "You can see people hit pads and you know"
Josh Evanoff - June 21, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn doesn’t believe Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz will be competitive. In August, the Stockton slugger will make his long-awaited professional boxing debut. The bout will be Nate Diaz’s first since his exit from the UFC last September, submitting Tony Ferguson. Ahead of his boxing debut, the former MMA fighter has been training with names such as Andre Ward.