MMA News
Justin Gaethje reveals the opponent that had him "scared walking into a fight"
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2023
Justin Gaethje is known as the most violent fighter in the UFC but he admits he was scared to face one opponent. Back in the main event of UFC Philadelphia on March 30, 2019, Gaethje was headlining the card against Edson Barboza. On paper, it was supposed to be a fan-friendly fight between two action fighters and Gaethje admitted he was scared going into the scrap.
Ryan Hall reveals he's had 16 surgeries since last UFC fight but is now targeting a return: "MMA is all I care about"
Josh Evanoff - March 30, 2023
Former UFC featherweight contender Ryan Hall is finally on the road to recovery. ‘The Wizard’ has been out of action since his unanimous decision victory over Darrick Minner in December 2021. That victory was a big one for Hall, as it helped him get back on track after his knockout defeat to Ilia Topuria. That loss was the first in his promotional career and also snapped an eight-fight winning streak.
Jose Aldo hopeful to book Floyd Mayweather boxing match after he fights Jeremy Stephens: "We’ve been in negotiations for a long time"
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2023
Jose Aldo is hopeful that he will secure a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather after competing this weekend in Milwaukee. Aldo is set to collide with Jeremy Stephens on the main card of Gamebred Boxing 4. The bout will serve as a rematch, as the pair previously collided in the Octagon in 2018, with Aldo winning by first-round TKO. Although Aldo has a fight taking place on Saturday night, the Brazilian revealed he is already in talks to face Mayweather after this event.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia added to SlapFight 25 in April
Josh Evanoff - March 30, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia is the latest fighter to move to slap competitions. ‘The Maine-iac” has been out of action since a decision defeat to Ruslan Magomedov in October 2013. That defeat was the third in a row for the former UFC heavyweight champion. Prior to that loss to Magomedov, Sylvia suffered losses to Tony Johnson and Satoshi Ishii.
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.
Ian Garry wants to headline UFC’s return to Ireland: “Give me Masvidal in Dublin”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Ian Garry is shooting for the stars, as he wants to go one-on-one with Jorge Masvidal in Dublin, Ireland. Garry has been on a roll to start his pro MMA career. He has a perfect record of 11-0 with six of those wins coming by way of knockout. He’s also got one submission victory. Garry thinks he’s in for big things, and he’s even calling for a showdown with Jorge Masvidal in the future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.