MMA News
Deontay Wilder explains why he wants to fight Francis Ngannou in the PFL: "I can come to yours"
Josh Evanoff - June 9, 2023
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is willing to step into the PFL smart cage. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Robert Helenius last fall. That stoppage victory was massive for the former champion, as it snapped a two-fight losing streak. Wilder had famously suffered two knockout losses at the hands of Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021.
Brendan Loughnane issues statement following shocking loss to Jesus Pinedo at PFL 4
Susan Cox - June 9, 2023
Brendan Loughnane has issued a statement following his shocking loss to Jesus Pinedo at PFL 4. PFL 4 took place yesterday, Thursday, June 8th at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Beneil Dariush reveals he asked to fight Arman Tsarykuan after Charles Oliveira pulled out of UFC 288 fight
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2023
Beneil Dariush wanted to remain on the UFC 288 card and had an opponent in mind. Dariush had hoped to face Charles Oliveira at March’s pay-per-view event, but the fight wasn’t booked until UFC 288 in May. However, just under a month out, it was revealed Oliveira had suffered a minor injury and the fight would be pushed back to UFC 289 in June.
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya likes the idea of money fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “Cheddar makes it better”
Susan Cox - June 9, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya likes the idea of a money fight with Khamzat Chimaev. Khamzat Chimaev has made in known that he wants a fight with Adesanya, speaking on his YouTube channel, the undefeated Swede said:
Dana White not committed to giving the winner of Beneil Dariush vs. Charles Oliveira the next UFC lightweight title shot: “We’ll see what happens”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
UFC president Dana White has not committed to giving the winner of Beneil Dariush vs Charles Oliveira the next title shot at lightweight. This Saturday night, the co-main event of UFC 289 will see Charles Oliveira square off with Beneil Dariush. In the eyes of many, this is the kind of bout that should determine the new number one contender for the UFC lightweight championship. That belt, as we know, is held by Islam Makhachev, who beat Oliveira for the strap last year.
Deontay Wilder confirms he’s had talks about fighting Francis Ngannou: “Something that could truly happen”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
Heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder has confirmed that he has held talks with Francis Ngannou’s team regarding a fight between the two. When you think of heavy hitters in boxing, you think of Deontay Wilder. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is one of the most ferocious knockout artists in the history of the sport, and he’s far from done yet.
Watch | Dan Hardy’s live reaction to Jesus Pinedo upsetting Brendan Loughnane at PFL 4 (Video)
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
PFL commentator Dan Hardy couldn’t hide his disappointment in seeing Brendan Loughnane get finished last night. Ever since leaving the UFC, Dan Hardy has been a hot commodity. He’s incredibly knowledgable within the industry, he’s passionate, and he’s a fantastic commentator. So, then, it’s no surprise that PFL showed great interest in bringing him over.
Watch | Jesus Pinedo stops Brendan Loughnane in shocking PFL upset (Video)
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
Jesus Pinedo shocked the mixed martial arts world last night by finishing reigning champion Brendan Loughnane at PFL 4. The PFL’s league format certainly makes for some fun drama. Between qualifying for the playoffs and the playoffs themselves, we’ve seen a lot of twists and turns across its existence. Last year, we saw a great story play out at featherweight as Brendan Loughnane finally climbed to the top of the mountain and claimed the $1 million prize.
WATCH | Marlon Moraes suffers seventh-straight knockout loss at PFL 4, announces retirement
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Marlon Moraes suffered another knockout loss this evening and subsequently announced his retirement from MMA. Moraes was taking on Gabriel Braga on the prelims of PFL 4 in the second and final regular season matchup for the featherweights. Right away, Braga went after Moraes and appeared to stun him with a hard shot.
Julianna Pena claims she made Amanda Nunes "relevant again" by beating her: "She’s probably really thankful for me"
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Julianna Pena says she made Amanda Nunes relevant again. At UFC 269, Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title for the sixth time and extend her win streak to 13. During the win streak, she also won the featherweight title and not many of those fights were all that competitive. With that, Pena believes fans started to not care about Nunes’ fights until she pulled off a submission win to become the new champ.
Bobby Green rips Jared Gordon for snitching on himself that he had a concussion before Jim Miller fight: "What’s the matter with you?"
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Bobby Green has taken aim at his former opponent Jared Gordon. Green and Gordon fought at UFC Vegas 71 back in April as both men were looking to get back into the win column. Unfortunately, in the first round, Green dropped Gordon with an accidental clash of heads and knocked him out with some ground and pound. Despite the finish, the fight was ultimately overturned to a No Contest.
Jorge Masvidal casts light on alleged assault of Colby Covington: "I wasn't even there bro!"
Josh Evanoff - June 8, 2023
Former UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has discussed his altercation with Colby Covington. ‘Gamebred’ and ‘Chaos’ fought last March in the main event of UFC 272. In that outing, Covington dominated in the battle of friends-turned-foes, as he won by unanimous decision. However, the fight itself did nothing to stop the trash-talking between the two. In the following weeks, Masvidal and Covington continued to throw verbal shots at one another.
Jorge Masvidal expresses interest in boxing career after UFC retirement: "Boxing was my first love"
Josh Evanoff - June 8, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal is down to enter the world of boxing. ‘Gamebred’ is fresh off his return at UFC 287 in April against Gilbert Burns. The bout was an important one for Masvidal, as he entered the contest on a three-fight losing streak. With losses to Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman, the welterweight entered his bout against ‘Durinho’ with the idea that another defeat would be his last.
Alexander Volkanovski keeping a close eye on Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush: "I still want that lightweight title"
Josh Evanoff - June 8, 2023
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has his eyes on UFC 289. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his journey up to lightweight earlier this year. At UFC 284, the featherweight champion went up to face lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev. The two champions put on a show in the main event, with the Russian retaining his title by unanimous decision.
Beneil Dariush shuts down talk that his UFC 289 fight against Charles Oliveira is the real main event
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Beneil Dariush doesn’t think his UFC 289 fight against Charles Oliveira is the ‘people’s’ main event. Once the UFC added Dariush vs. Oliveira to the card, many fans claimed that is the best fight on the card and the real main event. However, the actual headliner is Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana. Although Nunes is a sizeable betting favorite, Dariush says fans need to respect that title bout as he says getting to fight underneath Nunes is special.
Charles Oliveira reacts to possibility of being leapfrogged by the winner of Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2: "I'm next"
Lewis Simpson - June 8, 2023
Charles Oliveira believes a win over Beneil Dariush will be enough to secure a second fight with Islam Makhachev. Last October in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280, Oliveira failed to regain the lightweight championship. Still, this weekend he will get the opportunity to right the wrong if he successfully gets past No. 4 ranked lightweight Dariush.
Brendan Schaub encourages fighters to take action following latest MMA judging debacle - Boycott UFC 300
Lewis Simpson - June 8, 2023
Brendan Schaub is the latest to weigh in on the latest MMA judging crisis. Having fought eleven times in the UFC from 2009-2014, Schaub can sympathize with fighters who incompetent judges wrongly screw over.
Daniel Cormier explains why he doesn’t feel Jim Miller is worthy of the UFC Hall of Fame: "I just don’t feel like time served puts you in"
Susan Cox - June 8, 2023
Daniel Cormier is explaining why he doesn’t feel Jim Miller is worthy of being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Cormier, himself a member of the 2022 UFC Hall of Fame and two-division UFC champion, believes Jim Miller, although a veteran in the UFC, is not necessarily a candidate to get Hall of Fame accolades.