MMA News
Corey Anderson vs. Phil Davis added to stacked Bellator 297 event in June
Josh Evanoff - March 30, 2023
Bellator 297 continues to add more high-profile names and former champions to the card. The event is slated for June 16th at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago and already has some massive fights. The card is expected to be headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between Vadim Nemkov and Yoel Romero. The two were previously expected to clash at Bellator 290 in January, but the Russian withdrew.
Daniel Cormier shows no interest in meeting with Jon Jones but admits rivalry with 'Bones' is over: "There's good in that dude"
Josh Evanoff - March 30, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has confirmed his rivalry with Jon Jones is officially over. ‘Bones’ made his return to the octagon earlier this month at UFC 285. The bout was Jones’ first in over three years and was also his heavyweight debut as he faced Ciryl Gane. The two battled over the heavyweight championship left vacant after Francis Ngannou left the UFC in January.
Daniel James discusses his upcoming Bellator 293 main event fight with Marcelo Golm: "I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but there’s no more losing"
Zain Bando - March 30, 2023
Daniel James returns to the Bellator cage Friday night, taking on Marcelo Golm in the main event of Bellator 293 in Temecula, Calif. James (14-6-1 MMA, 2-0 Bellator) made an emphatic return to the big show in Nov. 2022, rallying to defeat top-10 heavyweight Tyrell Fortune in his home city of Chicago, Ill.
Brendan Loughnane expecting "a high-level technical kickboxing match" against Marlon Moraes at PFL 1: "My pressure will be too much for him"
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2023
Brendan Loughnane was excited when he found out he would be fighting Marlon Moraes in the 2023 PFL season opener. Loughnane is the reigning PFL featherweight champion and is back for season 2023 as he looks to repeat as champion. When Loughnane won the title last year, he said it was surreal as years of hard work had finally paid off.
Conor McGregor responds after Justin Gaethje threatens to “quit” if the Irishman is awarded a title shot for beating Michael Chandler
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Conor McGregor has responded to Justin Gaethje’s recent comments on the possibility of the “Notorious” one receiving a title shot with a win over Michael Chandler. McGregor and Chandler will be serving as opposing coaches on season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and the UFC plans to book them in a fight at some point this year. McGregor is a massive star for the UFC, and many wouldn’t be surprised if he cuts the line for a UFC title opportunity if he were to defeat Chandler.
UFC 287 fighter Gilbert Burns hopes to face Colby Covington soon: "I believe I can finish Colby"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Gilbert Burns is focused on his upcoming clash with Jorge Masvidal, but he hopes to share the Octagon with Colby Covington in the future. UFC President Dana White has insisted that Covington is next in line for a shot at Leon Edwards’ UFC Welterweight Championship. So, Burns may be waiting a while to get his wish. Burns is currently the number five-ranked UFC welterweight, and a win over the number 11-ranked Masvidal isn’t likely to push him further up the ladder.
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.
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.
Henry Cejudo has suffered a nasty cut ahead of his slated title fight with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2023
Henry Cejudo seems to have sustained a nasty-looking head cut ahead of his title fight against Aljamain Sterling. At UFC 288 on May 6, Henry Cejudo is set to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight championship. It will serve as his return bout following three years away, as he attempts to reclaim the gold he never lost at 135 pounds.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor responds to Carl Froch's offer to fight him in MMA: "Get this signed up, lad"
Josh Evanoff - March 29, 2023
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor is seemingly down to fight Carl Froch. ‘The Notorious’ is currently preparing for his return to the cage. The former champion has been out of action since his infamous leg break against Dustin Poirier in their July 2021 trilogy fight. Nearly two years on from that injury, McGregor is closing in on a return.
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.
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).
Marlon Moraes expects to finish Brendan Loughnane at PFL 1 and prove he's still "one of the best in the world"
Cole Shelton - March 29, 2023
Marlon Moraes still believes he can be a world champion. After Moraes lost his fourth fight in a row to Song Yadong, he announced his retirement from MMA. Yet, not even a year later, he unretired and signed with PFL to face Sheymon Moraes last November where he ultimately suffered a third-round knockout loss.