MMA News
TUF 31 produces 294k average viewers, less than half of Conor McGregor’s previous The Ultimate Fighter appearance
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2023
The premiere episode for season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, averaged 294,000 viewers. Whenever Conor McGregor is around, people sit up and listen to what he says. The Irishman is easily the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts, and his return is set to be one of the biggest events of the year for the sport.
Paul Felder replaces Joe Rogan for UFC 289 commentary team duties
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2023
Former UFC fighter Paul Felder is set to replace Joe Rogan on commentary this weekend for the UFC 289 pay-per-view event. This Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Canada for the first time since before the pandemic. They’ll be heading to Vancouver for UFC 289, with Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana serving as the main event of the evening. While the card isn’t entirely stacked from top to bottom, we will also be getting to see the return of Charles Oliveira when he clashes with Beneil Dariush in a vital lightweight collision.
Dana White claims Michael Jordan is a “killer,” says Jordan would beat LeBron James in slap fight
Zain Bando - June 5, 2023
Dana White’s newfound obsession with “Power Slap,” the online reality television series launched by he and Lorenzo Fertitta in January, has taken on a life of its own. White, who has been UFC president since 2001, had a vision for Power Slap’s social media success and international appeal upon its initial launch. After two events, the conversations about who would win have become deeper, reaching into different sports and eras.
What's next for Amir Albazi and Kai Kara-France after UFC Vegas 74?
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 74, top-15 flyweights headlined the card as Amir Albazi took on Kai Kara-France. Albazi entered the fight as a perfect 4-0 in the UFC but hadn’t fought a ranked opponent within the promotion. He was actually scheduled numerous times prior to Saturday night, but those opponents pulled out due to injuries.
Tony Ferguson pleads not guilty to DUI charge
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2023
UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson has pled not guilty to his DUI charge. In early May, Ferguson was involved in a multi-vehicle accident that occurred just before 2 a.m. local time. TMZ Sports first reported the news and revealed that, and law enforcement officials told the media outlet that Ferguson was “very uncooperative” and refused to take a sobriety test and he reeked of alcohol. Ferguson was arrested and booked into the Hollywood Community Police Station, and he later posted bail.
Francis Ngannou slams Tyson Fury as talk of boxing match again resurfaces: "Stop talking, and come try"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is tired of Tyson Fury’s talking. ‘The Predator’ is still attempting to book his boxing debut. Last month, Ngannou ended months of media silence by ending his high-profile free agency and signing with the PFL. Earlier this year in January, the heavyweight left the UFC, vacating his championship in the process.
Former champion Andre Ward reveals plans to train Nate Diaz for boxing debut against Jake Paul: "Respect what he's done for Stockton"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2023
Former boxing champion Andre Ward believes it’s time to repay the favor. ‘Son of God’ has been retired since his 2017 rematch against Sergey Kovalev. In that outing, the light-heavyweight champion scored his second-straight victory over the Russian. Following the win, Ward retired from boxing, which has held for years, despite talk of a potential comeback.
Chris Weidman set to make highly-anticipated return from injury at UFC 292 against Brad Tavares
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2023
Chris Weidman will make the walk to the Octagon again. Weidman last fought at UFC 261 in April 2021 against Uriah Hall. Sadly, just 17 seconds into the fight, the former UFC middleweight champion threw a leg kick that Hall checked and it broke his leg which forced him to need multiple surgeries.
Alex Pereira reveals plans to train and learn English from former opponent Sean Strickland: "He's a nice guy!"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2023
Everyone might not be a fan of Sean Strickland, but Alex Pereira is cool with him. ‘Poatan’ has been out of action since his rematch with Israel Adesanya in April. Just a few months prior to that bout, Pereira captured the gold with a fifth-round stoppage win over ‘The Last Stylebender’. However, the former middleweight champion got his revenge at UFC 288.
UFC parts ways with six more fighters
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2023
The UFC continues to part ways with fighters and trim its roster. On Monday, the Twitter account UFC Roster Watch which tracks the UFC roster and who has been added and removed – revealed six fighters have been let go. According to the account, Makwan Amirkhani, Trevin Jones, Tony Gravley, Batgerel Danaa, Omar Morales, and Ilir Latifi have all been revealed removed from the roster.
Tyson Fury responds to Francis Ngannou’s “I’ll be ready” claim: “I’ll have 15 pints and KO you”
Susan Cox - June 5, 2023
Tyson Fury has responded after Francis Ngannou sent him a message claiming he will ‘be ready’ when the call comes to fight. The previous UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) and the UFC parted ways back in January of this year. With the departure came the loss of the belt, but also free agency. ‘The Predator’ has indicated his interest in getting in the boxing ring for quite a while now.
Chael Sonnen takes aim at “narcissists” Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz ahead of UFC 291: “Two guys that don't have the ability to bring interest to anything”
Susan Cox - June 5, 2023
Chael Sonnen is taking aim at ‘narcissists’ Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz ahead of UFC 291. UFC 291 takes place on Saturday, July 29th at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The co-main event will feature Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA) vs. Jan Blachowicz (29-9 MMA) in a light heavyweight bout.
Curtis Blaydes targets end of summer return following TKO loss to Sergei Pavlovich: “After a TKO or KO you wanna adjust the brain”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2023
Curtis Blaydes is aiming to return by the end of the summer following his TKO defeat at the hands of Sergei Pavlovich. For the longest time now, Curtis Blaydes has been a contender in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Unfortunately for him, whenever he seems to be on the verge of a title shot, he falls short at the final hurdle. It’s happened against Francis Ngannou, Derrick Lewis and, most recently, Sergei Pavlovich.
Watch Israel Adesanya’s live reaction to Kai Kara-France’s controversial split decision loss to Amir Albazi
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2023
Israel Adesanya has released footage of his live reaction to Kai Kara-France’s controversial defeat on Saturday night. Over the years, Israel Adesanya has seen a lot in the world of mixed martial arts. From controversial decisions to massive knockouts, City Kickboxing has been at the forefront of some incredibly tense moments. Over the weekend, we saw another play out before our very eyes when Kai Kara-France stepped into the Octagon to battle Amir Albazi.
Dana White details why Jared Gordon was pulled from UFC Vegas 74: “You should have shown at least the company and your opponent some respect”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2023
UFC president Dana White has spoken candidly about why Jared Gordon was pulled from his fight against Jim Miller. Last weekend, Jared Gordon was set to return to the Octagon. He was scheduled to take on Jim Miller, just a few weeks on from his controversial fight with Bobby Green that left him with a concussion following an accidental headbutt. Unfortunately, that same injury was revealed by Gordon earlier on in the week. This caused his bout being pulled from the card.
Beneil Dariush may heed Justin Gaethje's advice if UFC doesn't follow through on promised title shot with win over Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2023
Beneil Dariush has trust in the UFC, but he may cause a scene if he doesn’t get what’s promised to him if he’s victorious in his next bout. Dariush will share the Octagon with former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. The 155-pound tilt will take place inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 10 at UFC 289. Dariush has been promised a title opportunity if he defeats “do Bronx.”
Alex Volkanovski reacts to the judges' scorecards from last night’s UFC Vegas 74 main event: “Giving Amir round 4 is just insane”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2023
Alex Volkanovski is none too pleased with two of the judges who scored the UFC Vegas 74 headliner. This past Saturday night, Amir Albazi and Kai Kara-France did battle inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both men put on a show for all five rounds, but the conclusion of UFC Vegas 74 left a sour taste in the mouths of fans.
Dana White doubles down on potential Jon Jones vs Tyson Fury fight: “If you really want to find out who the baddest man on the planet is”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2023
UFC President Dana White continues to push for a showdown between Jon Jones and Tyson Fury. Jones is the UFC Heavyweight Champion, while Fury is the WBC Heavyweight Champion. Of course, Jones is a renowned mixed martial artist, while Fury is an elite boxer. The two recently went back and forth on social media, which stemmed from Joe Rogan claiming Fury wouldn’t make it out of a room if he was locked in with Jon Jones.