MMA News

Cole Shelton - May 24, 2023

Chael Sonnen has heard rumors of an interesting main event for UFC 293 in Australia. When the card was announced, many expected the main event to be Israel Adesanya defending his middleweight title against the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis. However, according to Sonnen, he says the winner of that fight may not be ready so instead, he’s heard that the main event will be Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title for the first time against Sergei Pavlovich.

Cole Shelton - May 24, 2023

Dricus Du Plessis believes Robert Whittaker is a harder fight than Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis is set to face Whittaker at UFC 290 in a middleweight title eliminator bout with the winner going on to face ‘Stylebender’ later this year. Although Adesaya wanted to face Du Plessis his next time out, the UFC booked the South African to face Whittaker first which he knows is a tough task.

Josh Evanoff - May 24, 2023

UFC light-heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is still confused by Anthony Smith’s mid-fight comments. The Brazilian is fresh off his return at UFC Charlotte earlier this month. There, Walker faced ‘Lionheart’, who entered the fight after a loss to Magomed Ankalaev last July. Heading into their co-main event showcase earlier this month, both men were hoping to earn a potential title shot.

Josh Evanoff - May 24, 2023

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has paid respect to former champion BJ Penn. On a recent edition of his podcast, the comedian discussed MMA alongside Bas Rutten. Naturally, the two shifted the conversations to the older day of the sport. There, they discussed some of the greatest fighters of all time, and began praising ‘The Prodigy’.

Cole Shelton - May 24, 2023

Robin Black has issued a response to Dana White. At the post-fight press conference following UFC Vegas 73, White was asked about Francis Ngannou signing with the PFL when he took aim at Black who is an MMA analyst for TSN about his comments saying the UFC no longer has the best fighters in the world.

Josh Evanoff - May 24, 2023

Francis Ngannou’s manager, Marquel Martin, believes fans will be shocked by his boxing debut. ‘The Predator’ made headlines earlier this month by ending his high-profile free agency. In January, Ngannou walked out of the UFC, becoming the first reigning champion since BJ Penn in 2004 to do so. At the time, the heavyweight stated that issues with pay, restrictive contracts, an inability to box, and more, triggered his move.

Josh Evanoff - May 24, 2023

UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch feels the promotion wants him to be champion. ‘Sugar’ has been out of action since a high-profile clash with Petr Yan at UFC 280 last October. The test was the biggest of the bantamweight’s career, and he passed. O’Malley defeated ‘No Mercy’ by split decision in their bantamweight showcase last fall, earning him a title shot against ‘The Funk Master’.

Lewis Simpson - May 24, 2023

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has taken aim at UFC President Dana White. Sterling and White’s war of words continues following White’s initial jab at his bantamweight kingpin. White previously stated that Sterling was an individual who “couldn’t get out of his own way.” From there, the pair have pursued to poke at one another to the media and the general public.

Cole Shelton - May 24, 2023

Marquel Martin, the manager of Francis Ngannou, says the former UFC heavyweight champion got close to re-signing with the Las Vegas-based promotion. Ahead of UFC 270, it was well-known that Ngannou was fighting out his contract when he was defending his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. He had been vocal about his displeasure with the UFC at times, but many expected him to eventually re-sign with the promotion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 24, 2023

Khamzat Chimaev has one theory on why the UFC is giving Colby Covington the next crack at welterweight gold. Covington is expected to challenge Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship later this year. Edwards has said he’d like the fight to take place in Abu Dhabi this October. Belal Muhammad waits in the wings as he has been promised a shot at the winner following his unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 288.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 24, 2023

Mike Perry has a suggestion for Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in case of emergency. Paul, a social media star turned boxer, will be taking on former UFC title contender Nate Diaz in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match. The bout will take place on August 5. Perry, who has garnered some buzz with his handiwork over at BKFC, has thrown his name in the hat to be the backup fighter.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 24, 2023

Brendan Schaub believes UFC President Dana White is being hypocritical when addressing Francis Ngannou’s PFL signing. Ngannou and the UFC parted ways back in January. The two sides couldn’t come to terms on a new deal, and Ngannou, who was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, was free to sign with another promotion. He recently inked a deal with the PFL, and he will be allowed to have a boxing match later this year.

Harry Kettle - May 24, 2023

Urijah Faber believes Conor McGregor has enough in his locker to get the job done in his upcoming fight against Michael Chandler. Later this month, the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter will air. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will serve as the head coaches, with the expectation being that they will compete against one another later this year. When exactly they do, though, remains to be seen as McGregor prepares to get back in the USADA testing pool.

Harry Kettle - May 24, 2023

MMA veteran Matt Brown has discussed PFL’s gamble by making such a lucrative offer to former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. The MMA world now knows what Francis Ngannou’s next move is: to fight for PFL next year. Of course, that’s just in the cage because he also looks set to make his boxing debut later in 2023. ‘The Predator’ was able to secure a blockbuster deal with the promotion that may well be the most lucrative in the history of mixed martial arts.

Harry Kettle - May 24, 2023

UFC president Dana White has responded to comments made by Aljamain Sterling as he prepares to return to the Octagon. This summer, Aljamain Sterling is expected to take on Sean O’Malley. He’ll be putting his UFC bantamweight championship on the line just a few months after defending it against Henry Cejudo. ‘Funk Master’ has proven himself to be a real champion, but as many fans know, he’s also had to deal with his fair share of injuries over the years.

Andrew Whitelaw - May 23, 2023

Sean O’Malley has no qualms about Henry Cejudo stepping in as a replacement for Aljamain Sterling. During the post-fight press conference for UFC Vegas 73 last weekend, Dana White cast doubts over the champ’s participation in the proposed clash at UFC 292. The UFC president explained that Henry Cejudo has been offering to step in.

Andrew Whitelaw - May 23, 2023

Gordon Ryan continues to be plagued by health issues. The BJJ powerhouse has been sidelined for more than six months and is back in the hospital following a recent surgery. The 27 year old has had long-standing issues with his stomach but has recently been struggling with his throat.

Cole Shelton - May 23, 2023

Donn Davis, the founder of PFL, has fired back at Dana White. Last week, Francis Ngannou officially signed his contract with PFL and he is expected to debut in 2024, as well as getting to be an executive in PFL Africa among others. Although all the details weren’t out there, UFC president, Dana White was surprised by PFL’s deal as he doesn’t think the promotion knows what they are doing.