MMA News
Dan Hardy says it will be “no time” before former UFC champion Francis Ngannou signs with PFL: “I know he’s coming”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Dan Hardy thinks former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is on his way to becoming a member of the PFL roster. Ngannou and UFC higherups could not come to terms on a new deal when “The Predator” was the UFC Heavyweight Champion. As a result, Ngannou is now a free agent. “The Predator” has expressed his desire to enter the world of boxing, which was his first love in terms of combat sports, but he recently revealed to Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” that he’s close to signing with an MMA promotion. He namedropped PFL and ONE Championship.
Justin Gaethje believes he could knock out current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “I’d have to fight the perfect fight”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Justin Gaethje believes that if he fights mistake-free against UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, he can defeat him. Gaethje is known for his exciting fighting style and knockout power, but Makhachev has built a reputation of being an elite grappler, who often avoids danger. The 155-pound kingpin did suffer one loss and it was via TKO, but that was back in 2015. Since that defeat to Adriano Martins, Makhachev has gone 12-0.
Cat Zingano confused by Cris Cyborg’s ducking claims: “She’s not even with the promotion”
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2023
Bellator star Cat Zingano has admitted that she’s confused by Cris Cyborg’s recent claims that she’s ducking her. Since arriving in Bellator, Cat Zingano has been pretty solid. She’s riding a 3-0 win streak and tomorrow night, she’ll look to extend that to four when she battles Leah McCourt.
Curtis Blaydes believes it is too late for Ciryl Gane to try and rectify his grappling issues: “He's not gonna get it”
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2023
UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes isn’t convinced that fellow contender Ciryl Gane will be able to rectify his grappling deficiencies. In recent years, Ciryl Gane has emerged as one of the most impressive fighters in the heavyweight division. Despite that, though, the former interim champion has been unable to capture the undisputed belt – despite having two attempts at doing so.
Conor McGregor responds to “cheating” allegations from Beneil Dariush
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2023
Conor McGregor has laughed off Beneil Dariush in response to accusations from the lightweight that he’s cheating. In recent weeks, there’s been a great deal of speculation surrounding Conor McGregor and his relationship with USADA. As of this moment, it’s not yet known whether or not he’s re-entered the testing pool – although it seems unlikely.
Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria set to headline UFC Fight Night card in June
Cole Shelton - March 29, 2023
Josh Emmett will look to return to the win column in June. According to KoImenero, Emmett is set to headline a UFC Fight Night card against Ilia Topuria on Saturday, June 17. The location of the event was not reported.
Markus Perez reveals Gamebred Boxing is paying him "three times more" than what he was making in the UFC
Cole Shelton - March 29, 2023
Markus Perez says Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing promotion is paying fighters quite well. Perez is set to box Joe Riggs on Saturday in Milwaukee in the Gamebred Boxing event. In the UFC, Perez went 2-5 and asked for his release so he could improve his game. He has since gone 2-1 in MMA but will now be entering the squared circle against Joe Riggs.
Chris Weidman aiming for International Fight Week return two years after brutal leg break: "I just want to defy the odds"
Josh Evanoff - March 29, 2023
Nearly two years on from his devastating leg injury, Chris Weidman is closing in on a return. The former UFC middleweight champion has been out of action since his fight with Uriah Hall in April 2021. While many didn’t know it, the bout was actually a rematch, with Weidman winning by knockout in their fight a decade earlier. Sadly, the second fight went much differently.
Paddy Pimblett hits back at critics who believe he's benefitted from UFC bias: "I'm just a fighter on his roster"
Josh Evanoff - March 29, 2023
UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has hit back at those who believe he’s received preferential treatment from the promotion. ‘The Baddy’ has been out of action since UFC 282 in December. In the co-main event of the pay-per-view, Pimblett faced Jared Gordon. The bout was expected to be another stepping stone for the British star who entered the fight a massive betting favorite.
Conor McGregor admits he's "addicted" to fighting again ahead of return against Michael Chandler: "It's the best buzz ever"
Josh Evanoff - March 29, 2023
Former UFC double-champion Conor McGregor is addicted to fighting ahead of his return. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. In the main event of UFC 264, McGregor broke his leg in the final moments of round one. As a result, ‘The Diamond’ won by first-round stoppage, and the Irishman had a long road ahead.
Darren Till doesn’t understand why fighters get “offended” by UFC President Dana White: “What are you getting your feeling hurt for?”
Lewis Simpson - March 29, 2023
Former UFC fighter Darren Till doesn’t understand why fighters get offended by the words of Dana White. White has been the face of the UFC dating back since his purchase in 2001. During that time, the boss has made headlines for the right and for the wrong reasons. White is often a negative topic of conversation in the media, whether it be fans, analysts, or his own active roster criticizing him.
Henry Cejudo names the “most dangerous guy” in the UFC’s stacked bantamweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 29, 2023
Henry Cejudo has shared his opinion on who is a true threat in the UFC’s bantamweight division. Cejudo has made it clear that he’s gunning to become a two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, and he’ll have the chance to do so against titleholder Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 on May 6. With that said, Cejudo thinks that Umar Nurmagomedov is a problem for the bantamweight division (h/t MMAJunkie.com).
Donald Cerrone details the tight bond he shares with current UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez: “He’s been a big part of my entire career”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 29, 2023
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has discussed his bond with interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez. Cerrone and Rodriguez have been chummy over the years, and “Cowboy” says it’s due to their time training together. During a media scrum, Cerrone told reporters that he hasn’t forgotten training with “El Pantera” before the Mexican star even signed a UFC contract (via MMAJunkie.com).
Colby Covington shares bold prediction for his upcoming UFC title fight with Leon Edwards: “I beat him from pillar to post”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 29, 2023
Colby Covington believes he will have an emphatic victory over Leon Edwards if the UFC brass follows through on plans. UFC President Dana White has been adamant about Covington being Edwards’ next welterweight title challenger. White’s stance has drawn the ire of some given that Covington has fallen short in two title opportunities and hasn’t fought since March 2022. White has shut down the criticism, expressing his belief that if it wasn’t for Kamaru Usman, Covington would’ve been an undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion by now.
Israel Adesanya fires back at Paulo Costa after ‘Borrachinha’ posts that he is out of UFC 287 due to a “clitoris fracture”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 29, 2023
The beef between former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa is alive and well. Adesanya and Costa exchanged heated words going into their UFC 253 clash back in 2020. Ultimately, Adesanya won the fight via second-round TKO. After the fight, Adesanya made a doggy-style gesture behind Costa, who was trying to recover.
Chael Sonnen discusses the possibility of Colby Covington dethroning welterweight champion Leon Edwards: “Become the biggest villain to be UFC champion in the sport's history”
Harry Kettle - March 29, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has looked ahead to a possible future in which Colby Covington becomes UFC welterweight champion. Following Leon Edwards’ win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Dana White confirmed that Colby Covington is next in line for the belt. In the eyes of many, this came as something of a surprise.
Ian Garry confident that teammate Leon Edwards would admit he could lose to him in a potential fight: “I guarantee you he’d say yes”
Harry Kettle - March 29, 2023
UFC star Ian Garry believes that Leon Edwards would admit he could lose to the Irishman if they fought one another. Since entering the UFC in late 2021, Ian Garry has gone 4-0 with the promotion. He’s had to overcome adversity in that time but with two finishes and two decisions to his name, he’s already been able to showcase his versatility.
Israel Adesanya sounds off on Alex Pereira for recent troll job: “Who the f**k do you think you are?”
Harry Kettle - March 29, 2023
UFC star Israel Adesanya has hit back at Alex Pereira following a recent video the champion released in which he mocks him. At UFC 281 last November, Alex Pereira knocked out Israel Adesanya to become the new UFC middleweight champion. Unsurprisingly, the promotion opted to run it back with an immediate rematch.