MMA News
Aljamain Sterling uncertain Sean O’Malley fight will happen in August: “I just fought one of the baddest dudes in the game”
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2023
Aljamain Sterling isn’t sure if he will be ready to face Sean O’Malley in August. Sterling defended his bantamweight title for a third time in the main event of UFC 288 earlier this month with a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo. After the win, O’Malley came into the Octagon to set up their fight and Dana White said the promotion was hoping to make it happen in August. Yet, Sterling is now uncertain if he will be ready to go by August.
What's next for Jailton Almeida and Jairzinho Rozenstruik after UFC Charlotte?
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2023
In the main event of UFC Charlotte, a battle of top-12 heavyweights went down as Jairzinho Rozenstruik took on Jailton Almeida. Rozenstruik entered the fight coming off a 23-second knockout win over Chris Daukaus back in December to return to the win column. Almeida, meanwhile, was a perfect 4-0 in the Octagon and was set for his first UFC main event.
Aljamain Sterling eager to expose Sean O'Malley's kryptonite in August clash: "One time on his back, he was like a fish on land"
Josh Evanoff - May 15, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling believes he knows Sean O’Malley’s kryptonite. ‘The Funk Master’ returned to the cage earlier this month against Henry Cejudo. In the main event of UFC 288, Sterling scored a split-decision victory over the former champion. In the process, Sterling scored his third-straight title defense, a record for the weight class.
Georges St-Pierre reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov's team privately warned of callout before shocking retirement: "They pulled me right back in"
Josh Evanoff - May 15, 2023
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre was expecting to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘Rush’ retired from the sport in February 2019, over a year after his successful return against Michael Bisping. When St-Pierre announced his retirement, he meant it. As of now, the Canadian hasn’t competed in years and has shown zero interest in doing anything besides an exhibition boxing match.
Aljamain Sterling admits Alexander Volkanovski callout was nixed at UFC 288: "It wasn't the performance I wanted"
Josh Evanoff - May 15, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling still believes he can beat Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Funk Master’ returned to the octagon earlier this month at UFC 288. In the main event, the bantamweight champion faced the returning Henry Cejudo. ‘Triple C’ had been out of the cage since a May 2020 title defense against Dominick Cruz, but was confident he could regain the bantamweight gold upon his return.
Report | UFC is working on a fight between bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2023
The UFC is targeting a pivotal fight at bantamweight. According to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, the UFC is looking to put together a bout between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. It’s uncertain when the fight will take place and if it will be a headliner, but all signs point to that scrap happening next. Nurmagomedov also hinted on Instagram that he has a fight lined up, so expect the official booking to come sooner than later.
Israel Adesanya responds after his ex-girlfriend takes him to court for half of his earnings
Susan Cox - May 15, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is responding after his ex-girlfriend took him to court for half of his earnings. Apparently, Charlotte Powdrell, Adesanya’s ex is taking the middleweight champion to court, in an attempt to take half of his earnings.
Kron Gracie issues statement on his loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288
Susan Cox - May 15, 2023
Kron Gracie has issued a statement on his loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC 288. UFC 288 took place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Colby Covington slams "UFC washouts" for competing under BKFC: "They couldn’t make it in the UFC"
Lewis Simpson - May 15, 2023
The sport of mixed martial arts has grown rapidly over the last decade, and bare-knuckle boxing is quickly following the same footprint. However, the next welterweight title challenger, Colby Covington, isn’t a fan of the sport. The past face, the violent and bloody sport, has made it extremely popular among hardcore combat sports fanatics who crave the chaos of what bare-knuckle boxing brings. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) are the leading organization in the sport and has a reputation for handsomely paying its athletes. This has resulted in former UFC fighters eager to test their skills between the ropes for a lucrative payday.
Ian Garry names the “perfect opponent” he wants to “go out there and smoke” next
Susan Cox - May 15, 2023
Ian Garry is naming the ‘perfect opponent’ he wants to ‘go out there and smoke’ next. Garry (12-0 MMA) is hot off a TKO victory over welterweight Daniel Rodriguez (17-4 MMA) this past weekend at UFC on ABC 4 (see that here).
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman responds to callout from Khamzat Chimaev: “LFG!”
Harry Kettle - May 15, 2023
Kamaru Usman has issued his response to a recent callout from Khamzat Chimaev as talk of a fight between them grows. Following his two defeats to Leon Edwards, many have wondered what’s next for Kamaru Usman. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is eager to try and climb back to the top, but he’ll have to work incredibly hard to get there.
Michael Bisping sounds off on “hater” for suggesting Anthony Smith “was smashed” by Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 4
Harry Kettle - May 15, 2023
MMA analyst Michael Bisping has hit out at a “hater” for implying that Anthony Smith got smashed in his defeat to Johnny Walker. Last weekend, Anthony Smith fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Johnny Walker. While it did wind up going to the judges’ scorecards, it was clear to see that Smith had taken a decent amount of punishment. In the eyes of many, Walker could’ve – and perhaps should’ve – been able to secure a finish in the third and final round.
Dana White gushes over Jailton Almeida following UFC on ABC 4 win: "I think he's going to be something special"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 14, 2023
UFC President Dana White is over the moon when it comes to Jailton Almeida’s potential. Almeida was in the main event of UFC on ABC 4 this past Saturday (May 13). He took on Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who was the number-nine-ranked UFC heavyweight. Almeida sat at the number 12 spot, but he will earn his place in the top 10 following his victory over “Bigi Boy.” Almeida scored a first-round submission finish via rear-naked choke to earn his 14th win in a row.
Johnny Walker on UFC on ABC 4 win over Anthony Smith: "I know I can do better"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 14, 2023
Johnny Walker is happy to pick up his third win in a row, but he feels he can make improvements. Walker collided with Anthony Smith in the co-main event of UFC on ABC 4. The light heavyweight battle was contested inside the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Walker had Smith hurting throughout the fight, but he couldn’t secure a finish. He did, however, earn a unanimous decision victory.
Scott Coker details how Cris Cyborg's new Bellator deal came to fruition
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 14, 2023
Bellator President Scott Coker recently recalled how Cris Cyborg’s new Bellator contract came to be. Cyborg, the reigning Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, had been a free agent. Many wondered if she would make the move to PFL in order to fight Kayla Harrison. Ultimately, Cyborg decided to stick around with Bellator.
Jailton Almeida eyes UFC Heavyweight Championship fight in 2024: "Maybe go and shoot for the title we all dream of"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 14, 2023
Jailton Almeida is fresh off a big win at UFC on ABC 4 and he’s hoping to eventually fight for UFC gold. Almeida headlined UFC Charlotte this past Saturday (May 13). He went one-on-one with Jairzinho Rozenstruik inside the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Almeida emerged victorious via first-round submission. It was a rear-naked choke that got the job done for “Malhadinho.”
Dana White wasn’t overly impressed with Johnny Walker’s decision win against Anthony Smith at UFC on ABC 4: “Didn’t really wow anybody”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 14, 2023
UFC President Dana White doesn’t think Johnny Walker had a standout performance at UFC Charlotte. Walker shared the Octagon with Anthony Smith in the co-main event of the fourth UFC on ABC card. This one went the distance and Walker was awarded the unanimous decision victory. It was a showing that didn’t have White on the edge of his seat.
Anthony Smith issues classy statement following loss to Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 4
Chris Taylor - May 13, 2023
Anthony Smith has issued a classy statement following his unanimous decision loss to Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 4. Smith (36-18 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a TKO loss to Magomed Ankalaev in most previous Octagon appearance last July. Prior to that setback, ‘Lionheart’ was riding a three-fight win streak which included stoppage victories over Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute and Ryan Spann.