MMA News
Marijuana exemption denied for Nate Diaz ahead of Jake Paul boxing bout
Lewis Simpson - May 12, 2023
Nate Diaz and Jake Paul are set to collide between the ropes on August 5th, and it was confirmed both fighters would undergo drug testing, including for marijuana. The boxing contest between the pair is trending as one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the summer due to both men’s massive fan bases and personalities. Diaz has built a loyal following while competing in MMA under the UFC banner.
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen is confident he would “destroy” UFC title holder Israel Adesanya: “He really exposed himself when he fought Pereira”
Susan Cox - May 12, 2023
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen is confident he would ‘destroy’ UFC title holder Israel Adesanya. Apparently, Johnny Eblen (13-0 MMA) believes he has what it takes to defeat UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Daniel Cormier reacts to Francis Ngannou’s “fumbling the bag” post on social media: “Maybe Francis isn’t hurting as much as we think”
Susan Cox - May 12, 2023
Daniel Cormier is reacting to Francis Ngannou’s ‘fumbling the bag’ post on social media. Ngannou recently took to ‘Instagram’ with a picture of himself, sitting on his Mercedes, on the phone, with the caption:
Aljamain Sterling addresses "aged gracefully" comments from Anthony Smith regarding the illegal knee incident: "When you've got a bone to pick with somebody, you kinda got to call it how it is"
Lewis Simpson - May 12, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has addressed Anthony Smith’s “aged gracefully” comments regarding his illegal knee incident with Petr Yan. Back in 2021, at UFC 259, Sterling’s championship reign began, but the way the championship was attained caused a massive uproar in the community. Sterling had challenged Yan in a highly-anticipated matchup at the top of the division, and after cruising his way to victory, before making a crucial mistake that would cost him his world title.
UFC on ABC 4: ‘Rozenstruik vs. Almeida’ Weigh-in Results: One fight canceled
Susan Cox - May 12, 2023
UFC on ABC 4 takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 13th, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Headlining the event will be Jailton Almeida (18-2 MMA) vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-4 MMA) in a heavyweight battle.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill responds to critics suggesting 205 is a weak division: “That’s insane to me”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2023
UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has slammed critics who believe the division is weaker than most in the promotion. At the start of the year, Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira to become the new king at light heavyweight. It concluded a monumental rise for the 31-year-old, and one that few saw coming so quickly.
Demetrious Johnson believes Henry Cejudo would have defeated Aljamain Sterling under ONE Championship rule set: “Oh, 1,000 percent”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2023
Demetrious Johnson believes Henry Cejudo would’ve gotten his hand raised over Aljamain Sterling if it was fought under ONE Championship rules. At UFC 288 last weekend, Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo. He did so via split decision, following an incredibly tight main event for the UFC bantamweight championship. When it was all said and done, many felt as if it was one of the tightest UFC title fights in recent years.
Nate Diaz shares high praise for former opponent and current UFC champion Leon Edwards: “He’s great”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2023
Former UFC star Nate Diaz has praised former opponent Leon Edwards for his work ethic, almost two years on from their UFC 263 collision. On August 5, former UFC sensation Nate Diaz will return to combat sports. However, as opposed to mixed martial arts, he’ll be venturing into the squared circle for a boxing match. When he does, he’ll go head to head with Jake Paul in a meeting that has been years in the making.
Bellator to adopt pay-per-view model for Canadian viewers starting with Bellator 296
Zain Bando - May 11, 2023
Bellator will begin a new era of its broadcasting history Friday, as the promotion announced a new change for Canadian MMA viewers. According to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Bellator events will move from exclusive broadcasts on YouTube to a semi-traditional pay-per-view model, beginning with Bellator 296 in Paris, France.
Gabe Green plans to pressure Bryan Battle early and often at UFC Charlotte to get stoppage win: "I've knocked out guys who have never been knocked out before"
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2023
Gabe Green is just ready to fight. Green is coming off a decision loss to Ian Garry back at UFC 276 last July and since then, he’s taken some time off to add some size. He is a former lightweight that moved up to welterweight so he wanted to add some mass before his next bout. Unfortunately, once he had added the desired weight, he suffered an injury that kept him on the sidelines until now as he is finally set to return at UFC Charlotte.
Michael Chandler responds to footage of Conor McGregor shoving him at TUF 31: “Barely felt it”
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2023
Michael Chandler says Conor McGregor’s shove wasn’t as bad as it looked. On Wednesday, the TUF 31 trailer dropped and at the end of the trailer, McGregor violently shoved Chandler and it appeared it sent him stumbling back. What caused the shove was uncertain but Dana White did say something went down that caused the two to not like one another.
Jake Paul eyes two-fight deal with Conor McGregor after he KO's Nate Diaz: "One boxing, one MMA in PFL"
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2023
Jake Paul is planning to secure a two-fight deal with Conor McGregor after he KO’s Nate Diaz. Paul is set to headline a DAZN boxing pay-per-view against Diaz on August 5 in Dallas, Texas. It’s an intriguing matchup and one the brash YouTuber-turned-boxer is confident he will win by KO. If he does knockout Diaz, he believes it will be a statement victory and leave McGregor no choice to fight him next as he KO’d the guy that he couldn’t.
Kelvin Gastelum announces official plans to return to UFC welterweight division: "I'm going to get shredded!"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Kelvin Gastelum is officially back at 170 pounds. The 31-year-old is fresh off his clash with Chris Curtis in April at UFC 287. In that outing, the two middleweights put on a show in the three-round contest. After 15 minutes of action, it was Gastelum who halted ‘The Action Man’, winning by unanimous decision.
Kayla Harrison hints at Bellator move to face rival Cris Cyborg: "My contract is up in December"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2023
PFL women’s lightweight star Kayla Harrison is still eyeing a fight against Cris Cyborg. The Judoka has been out of the cage since her trilogy bout against Larissa Pacheco last November. In their first two outings, Harrison dominated the Brazilian, not even losing a round. However, in a massive upset last year, Pacheco scored a unanimous decision victory. In the process, she handed Harrison the first defeat of her MMA career.
Colby Covington alleges that Jorge Masvidal was on steroids during their fight: "I used to watch him inject EPO"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington continues to take shots at Jorge Masvidal. ‘Chaos’ and ‘Gamebred’ were close friends for years, even living together at one point. However, a few years ago, the two had a massive falling out. According to Masvidal, the feud began with Covington not paying their striking coach an amount they had agreed on. From there, the rivalry spiraled out of control.
Anthony Smith predicts second-round submission over Johnny Walker at UFC Charlotte: "In the scramble, I think he'll give up something easy"
Lewis Simpson - May 11, 2023
Anthony Smith is set to face Johnny Walker this Saturday in the UFC Charlotte co-headliner, and the light heavyweight standout predicts a second-round submission victory coming his way. The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, will host 12 thrilling mixed martial arts contests. Heavyweight contenders Jailton Almeida and Jairzinho Rozenstruik top the bill, with Smith and Walker taking the co-main event slot.
Colby Covington claims Israel Adesanya "can't hang" with him: "I beat him from pillar to post"
Lewis Simpson - May 11, 2023
Colby Covington made a bold statement claiming that UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesayna doesn’t stand a chance with him inside the Octagon and is willing to back it up. Covington is currently ranked No.2 in the welterweight division and is on the hunt for a third championship fight later in the year. During his time under the UFC banner, Covington has attained the interim welterweight gold strap and fell short on two occasions to claim the undisputed championship against Kamaru Usman.
Sean O'Malley says Aljamain Sterling's awkward style will cost him in their UFC Bantamweight Championship fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 11, 2023
Sean O’Malley believes that Aljamain Sterling’s awkward standup game will be his downfall. O’Malley appears to have punched his ticket for a shot at the UFC Bantamweight Championship. UFC officials had “Suga” enter the Octagon after Sterling’s successful title defense against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey. O’Malley traded verbal jabs with Sterling, setting the stage for a future title fight at 135 pounds.