MMA News

UFC

UFC strawweight Tabatha Ricci shares disturbing DMs she received on Twitter: “Step on my face”

Harry Kettle - March 13, 2023

UFC strawweight Tabatha Ricci has shared a screenshot of some disturbing direct messages she received from a fan on Twitter. In the last twelve months or so, Tabatha Ricci has really cemented herself as a contender at strawweight. After losing to Manon Fiorot at flyweight in her debut, she’s bounced back with three straight wins.

Dustin Poirier Michael Chandler UFC 281
Dustin Poirier

Islam Makhachev claims Michael Chandler “lost on purpose” to obtain Conor McGregor fight

Harry Kettle - March 13, 2023

Islam Makhachev believes Michael Chandler lost his last fight on purpose in order to get a fight with Conor McGregor. Later this year, Michael Chandler will fight Conor McGregor following the latest season of Th Ultimate Fighter. It’s a bout that he has been calling for and now, he’s finally got it.

Bo Nickal, UFC 285, UFC
Michael Chandler

Bo Nickal doesn't take offense to Michael Chandler's criticism: "He's always been nice to me"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

Don’t expect highly touted prospect Bo Nickal and Michael Chandler to start beefing anytime soon. Nickal has made it clear that he has confidence in his ability to live up to the hype and beyond. The three-time NCAA Division I National Champion is off to a blazing start, going 4-0 with all of those fights ending in the first round to begin his pro MMA career.

Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo suggests Merab Dvalishvili be on standby in case Aljamain Sterling backs out of UFC 288 title fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

Henry Cejudo doesn’t appear to be sold on his UFC Bantamweight Championship match against Aljamain Sterling actually taking place on May 6. Cejudo is set to challenge Sterling for the top prize in the UFC’s male bantamweight division in the main event of UFC 288. The action will be held inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Cejudo took to his Twitter account to suggest to the UFC brass that Sterling’s teammate and close friend Merab Dvalishvili serve as a backup opponent in case Sterling pulls out of the fight (h/t MMAFighting).

Goiti Yamauchi
Goiti Yamauchi

Bellator President Scott Coker gives update on Goiti Yamauchi following grotesque knee injury

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

Goiti Yamauchi suffered a nasty knee injury at the conclusion of his Bellator 292 scrap with Michael Page. Yamauchi and Page shared the cage inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California. This one only last 26 seconds as Page landed a leg kick that totaled Yamauchi’s knee for the TKO finish. It was not a pretty sight, and it was quite clear that Yamauchi suffered an injury that will keep him out of action for a while.

Raphael Assuncao
Raphael Assuncao

Raphael Assuncao's coach speaks on controversial UFC Las Vegas fight ending

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

Raphael Assuncao closed out his pro MMA career on a technical submission loss, but it wasn’t without controversy. Assuncao shared the Octagon with Davey Grant on the UFC Las Vegas card on March 11. Assuncao appeared to be closing in on a decision victory when the drama ensued. In the final frame, referee Keith Peterson deducted a point from Grant for grabbing the fence.

Merab Dvalishvili
UFC

Merab Dvalishvili says he would have killed himself if he lost to Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

Merab Dvalishvili couldn’t picture a scenario where he wouldn’t get his hand raised in a fight with Petr Yan. Dvalishvili and Yan clashed inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 11 for a “UFC Fight Night” event. It was clear that Dvalishvili’s grappling and pressure left Yan confused on the feet. While Yan is usually loose and creative with his striking, the threat of the takedown, as well as Dvalishvili’s ability to mix it up made it difficult for the former UFC Bantamweight Champion to mount any sort of offense.

Dana White Merab Dvalishvili, UFC, MMA, Sean O'Malley
Merab Dvalishvili

Dana White discusses Merab Dvalishvili refusing to fight teammate Aljamain Sterling: “It would be a really bad idea for Merab to go down that path”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023

UFC President Dana White doesn’t like the idea of Merab Dvalishvili skipping a UFC Bantamweight Championship opportunity for his close friend Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili is coming off a one-sided five-round affair against Petr Yan this past Saturday. As UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier mentioned, in any other fight, a performance such as the one Dvalishvili had against Yan, winning via unanimous decision, would have everyone clamoring for him to get a title opportunity. The problem is, Dvalishvili and Sterling have vowed never to fight one another.

Davey Grant, UFC
UFC

UFC Las Vegas Bonus Report: Davey Grant one of four fighters to take home $50k

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili. Tonight’s highly anticipated bantamweight fight proved to be a coming out party for Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ dominated Petr Yan for all five rounds, using a crazy pace to frustrate and overwhelm the former bantamweight title holder. After twenty-five minutes of frantic activity, Merab was awarded the unanimous decision win.

Petr Yan, Merab Dvalishvili
Petr Yan

Pros react after Merab Dvalishvili defeats Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event was headlined by a key bantamweight matchup featuring Petr Yan taking on Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-5 MMA) had entered tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion was coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.

Merab Dvalishvili, Petr Yan, UFC Las Vegas, UFC
Petr Yan

UFC Las Vegas Results: Merab Dvalishvili defeats Petr Yan

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event is headlined by a key bantamweight matchup featuring Petr Yan taking on Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-4 MMA) will enter tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion is coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.

Alexander Volkov, UFC 267
Alexander Volkov

UFC Las Vegas Results: Alexander Volkov stops Alexandr Romanov in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas is co-headlined by a heavyweight matchup featuring Alexander Volkov taking on Alexander Romanov. Volkov (36-10 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a TKO victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in June of last year. The former Bellator champion has gone 3-2 over his past five fights overall.

Nikita Krylov, UFC
Ryan Spann

UFC Las Vegas Results: Nikita Krylov stops Ryan Spann in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas main card features a key light heavyweight matchup featuring Nikita Krylov taking on Ryan Spann. Krylov (29-9 MMA) enters tonight’s bout with hopes of earning his third victory in a row. ‘The Miner’ is coming off back-to-back victories over former division title challengers Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustaffson in his most previous efforts, the latter of which was a TKO finish (see that here).

Petr Yan

UFC Las Vegas: 'Yan vs. Dvalishvili' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-4 MMA) will enter tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion is coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.

Jon Jones
Stipe Miocic

Jon Jones opens up on his upcoming title fight with Stipe Miocic: “There’s never been a fight that means more to me”

Harry Kettle - March 11, 2023

Jon Jones has given his thoughts on his upcoming UFC heavyweight title fight against Stipe Miocic. While it hasn’t quite been confirmed, Jon Jones is expected to defend his newly-won crown against Stipe Miocic at UFC 290. The bout will likely serve as the headliner for International Fight Week.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz
Mike Tyson

Nate Diaz takes issue with Mike Tyson’s praise of Conor McGregor: “I took him all the way out in about 8 minutes”

Harry Kettle - March 11, 2023

Former UFC star Nate Diaz has taken issue with Mike Tyson’s recent praise for his rival Conor McGregor. While he isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Nate Diaz is certainly a fascinating figure in mixed martial arts. One of the reasons for his popularity, as we know, is his previous rivalry with Conor McGregor.

Michael Page, Bellator, Bellator 292
Goiti Yamauchi

Bellator 292 Results: Michael Page stops Goiti Yamauchi in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - March 10, 2023

A welterweight bout between Michael Page and Goiti Yamauchi kicks off tonight’s Bellator 292 main card from San Jose. Page (21-2 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a majority decision loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 27 last August. Prior to that setback, ‘Venom’ was coming off a split decision loss to Logan Storley in a fight for Bellator’s interim welterweight title.

Dana White

Dana White discusses the possibility of Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar: "Brock and I have a great relationship"

Josh Evanoff - March 10, 2023

Don’t expect to see former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar returning to the octagon. Last Saturday night in Las Vegas, Jon Jones, and Ciryl Gane battled for heavyweight gold. The title was left vacant after Francis Ngannou left the promotion in January, and ‘Bones’ wasted no time in his heavyweight debut. In the main event of UFC 285, Jones won the title by first-round submission.