MMA News
PFL's Loren Mack confirms Jake Paul will "absolutely" make MMA debut in 2023: "He’s gonna really develop into a superstar in the sport"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2023
Fear not, PFL’s Jake Paul is still set for his MMA debut this year. ‘The Problem Child’ made headlines in January when he signed with the PFL. At the time, there was little known beyond that Paul would both work and fight for the company. The YouTuber also stated that the deal wouldn’t interfere with his boxing career.
Robert Whittaker reveals he was never offered rumored fight against Khamzat Chimaev: "Let's wait and see what happens with this title shot"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker doesn’t have any plans to return right now. ‘The Reaper’ has been out of the octagon since his bout with Marvin Vettori at UFC Paris last November. In that outing, the former champion dominated. Whittaker wound up scoring a lopsided unanimous decision that night over ‘The Italian Dream’.
Nick Diaz admits he was "backed into" return fight against Robbie Lawler: "I didn't go in there to win"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2023
Over a year and a half on from his return, Nick Diaz has discussed all the controversy behind it. In September 2021, the former Strikeforce champion made his return to the cage against Robbie Lawler. The bout was a rematch of their prior encounter at UFC 47 in 2004. In that outing, Diaz won by first-round knockout.
Michael Chiesa reveals he won't fight at UFC 287 after injury to Li Jingliang, eyes Gunnar Nelson in London
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2023
Michael Chiesa won’t be fighting this Saturday at UFC 287. Chiesa was set to take on Li Jingliang in his first fight since November of 2021, as he had been dealing with an injury. However, last week it was revealed Jingliang was forced out of the fight and Chiesa confirmed no replacement opponent was found.
WWE CEO Nick Kahn expects UFC crossovers to continue under new Endeavor deal: “We will be looking to collaborate with them when appropriate”
Susan Cox - April 3, 2023
WWE CEO Nick Kahn expects UFC crossovers to continue under new Endeavor deal. It was announced today, Monday, April 3rd that the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is set to merge with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to form a new publicly traded company under the umbrella of the Endeavor Group.
Jorge Masvidal admits he might call it quits if he loses to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287: “This could be the last one”
Susan Cox - April 3, 2023
Jorge Masvidal is admitting he may call it quits if he loses to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. UFC 287 takes place this coming Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida.
Free agent Anthony Pettis confirms plans of returning to mixed martial arts following recent boxing debut: “I’m not done with MMA”
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2023
Anthony Pettis has confirmed his desire to return to mixed martial arts following his successful pro boxing debut. Last weekend, Anthony Pettis succeeded in his pro boxing debut against Roy Jones Jr. He defeated the legendary figure, outworking him over the course of their contest.
UFC champion Jamahal Hill shares footage of a former opponent experiencing police brutality: “Yo this wild asf”
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2023
Jamahal Hill has shared footage of a former opponent of his experiencing police brutality back in 2012. UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has been on quite the journey. From his childhood all the way up to the present day, he’s had to face some real adversity. Now, though, he sits at the top of the mountain as the king of the 205 pound division.
Conor McGregor and Paul Heyman trade shots following news of UFC and WWE forming a new publicly traded company: “Careful Grampa”
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2023
Conor McGregor and Paul Heyman squared off on social media last night following the news that UFC and WWE may be forming a new publicly traded company. Yesterday, news broke that Endeavor have reportedly purchased WWE. As many will know, Endeavor also bought the Ultimate Fighting Championship back in 2016 for a fee of around $4 billion.
Michael Bisping thinks "element of surprise" could play into Israel Adesanya's hands in Alex Pereira rematch at UFC 287
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Michael Bisping feels Israel Adesanya may be able to catch Alex Pereira by surprise when they collide inside the Octagon a second time. Adesanya is set to challenge Pereira at UFC 287 on April 8. The UFC Middleweight Championship fight will be held inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida. Back in November 2022, Pereira defeated Adesanya via fifth-round TKO to capture the UFC middleweight title. This was Pereira first MMA win over “The Last Stylebender,” but his third combat sports victory against him.
Scott Coker on Cris Cyborg's Bellator status: "We expect to bring her back here at some point this year"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Bellator President Scott Coker has given an update on Cris Cyborg’s future with the promotion. Cris Cyborg is the reigning Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion, but she hasn’t been seen in pro MMA action since April 2022. While she’s recognized as a Bellator titleholder, Cyborg is a free agent. She has been inside the boxing ring during her free agency, but hasn’t committed to an MMA promotion.
Jeremy Stephens fires back at Conor McGregor: "Your brittle bones ready to throw heat?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Jeremy Stephens has responded to Conor McGregor suggesting that the two of them trade leather inside the boxing ring. Stephens and 2023 UFC Hall of Fame inductee Jose Aldo went one-on-one on the Gamebred Boxing 4 card. The bout lasted through all six rounds and the judges scored this one as a majority draw. During the event, McGregor took to his Twitter account to respectfully call Aldo out for a boxing match. Aldo had none of it, as he blasted McGregor when speaking to reporters at the Gamebred Boxing 4 post-fight press conference.
Gamebred Boxing 4 winner Markus Perez claims Jake Paul never paid him for sparring session because “I kicked his butt”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Markus Perez claims Jake Paul stiffed him on pay. Perez appeared on MMAFighting.com‘s “Trocação Franca” and he made quite the claim on why Jake Paul never paid him for their time sparring.
Jose Aldo responds to callout from Conor McGregor: “You run and now you still talk shit?”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Jose Aldo was not in the mood when asked about Conor McGregor’s suggestion for a boxing match with him. Aldo was in action this weekend, taking on familiar foe Jeremy Stephens in a boxing match. The bout was featured on the main card of Gamebred Boxing 4. The bout went six rounds and ended in a majority draw. Aldo made it clear that he was not happy with the decision.
Bob Sapp and Rampage Jackson emerge victorious in wild Siamese boxing match at Fight Circus 6 (Video)
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2023
Bob Sapp and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson teamed up for a Siamese boxing match at Fight Circus 6 and it was quite the spectacle. Jackson and Sapp took on promoter Jon Nutt and Woody in Phuket, Thailand this weekend. Things went off the rails quickly in hilarious fashion, as one would expect. Jackson and Sapp landed a knockdown in the first round. In the second stanza, however, “Rampage” and Sapp delivered some punches to the referees. One official wasn’t about to take this lying down, as he pushed “Rampage” and Sapp to the corner and even went for a single-leg takedown on Jackson.
Pros react after Anthony Pettis defeats Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4
Chris Taylor - April 1, 2023
Tonight’s Gamebred Boxing 4 event was headlined by a heavyweight fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Anthony Pettis. Jones Jr. (66-10) was competing for the first time since fighting Mike Tyson to a draw in an exhibition bout in 2020. The 54-year-old had last competed as a professional in 2018, where he extended his win streak to 4 in a row with a decision victory over Scott Sigmon.
Pros react after Vitor Belfort defeats Jacare Souza at Gamebred Boxing 4
Chris Taylor - April 1, 2023
Tonight’s Gamebred Boxing 4 event was co-headlined by a heavyweight fight between Vitor Belfort and Jacare Souza. Belfort (26-14 MMA, 1-0 Boxing) was returning to action for the first time since defeating boxing legend Evander Holyfield via first-round TKO in an exhibition bout in 2021. ‘The Phenom’ was looking to avenge his previous loss to ‘Jacare’ which occurred via TKO at UFC 198 in May of 2016.
Gamebred Boxing 4 Results: Vitor Belfort defeats Jacare Souza (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - April 1, 2023
Tonight’s Gamebred Boxing 4 event is co-headlined by a heavyweight fight between Vitor Belfort and Jacare Souza. Belfort (26-14 MMA, 1-0 Boxing) will be returning to action for the first time since defeating boxing legend Evander Holyfield via first-round TKO in an exhibition bout in 2021. ‘The Phenom’ will be looking to avenge his previous loss to ‘Jacare’ which occurred via TKO at UFC 198 in May of 2016.