MMA News
Actor Kevin James details "scary" sparring with Merab Dvalishvili: "He starts lighting me up like a Christmas tree"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Kevin James had an interesting sparring session with UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. James, who has acted in shows like The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond while also being in movies like Paul Blart Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and Here Comes The Boom, was training in a gym when Dvalishvili started to work with him. James says he tagged in, when everyone in the gym knew he was an actor but Dvalishvili just assumed James was a heavyweight fighter.
Gilbert Burns anticipates a bloody war with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287: “I’m looking forward to a finish”
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Gilbert Burns expects his fight against Jorge Masvidal to be a violent one. Burns and Masvidal are set to be the co-main event of UFC 287 on April 8 in Miami, Florida. It’s an intriguing matchup where the winner could be in title contention and given that Burns is a sizeable favorite, he expects to finish Masvidal in a violent fight.
Dustin Poirier accepts Islam Makhachev's call for a new title challenger: "That's the plan"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has answered Islam Makhachev’s call. The Russian returned to the octagon earlier this month in the main event of UFC 284. Standing opposite the newly crowned champion was fellow titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. Despite Makhachev entering the fight a massive favorite, ‘The Great’ held his own for five rounds.
Tyron Woodley blasts KSI for ducking him after signing a contract to box the YouTuber: "You are not a real fighter"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Tyron Woodley believes YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI never truly wanted to box him but was using his name for clout. After Woodley lost back-to-back fights to Jake Paul, Paul mentioned Woodley as a possible opponent for his rival, KSI. The two sides then began negotiating a deal and Woodley says he signed a deal to box KSI but the YouTuber declined and decided to fight Dillon Danis instead.
Aaron Chalmers reveals discussions underway for two-fight crossover series with Jake Paul: "I'm sitting down with the PFL in March"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
Bellator veteran Aaron Chalmers might have the task of being Jake Paul‘s first MMA opponent. ‘The Joker’ is currently slated to face Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition fight this Saturday night. The bout will be the first time ‘Money’ competes in the U.K., as the two will headline a pay-per-view card at The O2 Arena in London.
Erin Blanchfield confident ahead of possible title shot against Valentina Shevchenko: "I've been watching her since high school"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield believes she will be champion by the end of 2023. ‘Cold Blooded’ returned to the octagon over the weekend in the main event of UFC Vegas 69. While Blanchfield was initially slated to face Taila Santos in the headliner, the Brazilian was forced to pull out due to injury. As a result, Jessica Andrade got the nod to the main event.
Diego Sanchez set to file an appeal to overturn loss against Austin Trout at KnuckleMania 3: "We will be filling a formal complaint"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Diego Sanchez will be appealing his KnuckleMania 3 loss to Austin Trout. Sanchez was set to make his BKFC debut against the former boxing world champ in Trout. It was a big fight and heading into the scrap, both men were confident that they would emerge victorious. However, in the end, it was Trout winning by stoppage due to a cut above Sanchez’s eye.
Alexander Volkanovski responds after UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev asks who is next: “Give the people what they want!”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is responding after UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev went on social media to ask “who is next”. It was almost 2 weeks ago, at UFC 284 where Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) defeated Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) via unanimous decision in the lightweight main event at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. And in doing so the 31-year-old Makhachev retained the lightweight belt.
Ryan Bader set for TUF return as a coach on Team Chandler
Susan Cox - February 22, 2023
Ryan Bader is set to return to TUF as a coach on Team Chandler. The former UFC light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader (31-7 MMA), who currently fights under the Bellator banner, will be heading back to the UFC to assist head coach Michael Chandler in Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Conor McGregor's lawsuit over alleged assault dropped by Dublin Woman
Lewis Simpson - February 22, 2023
Samantha Murphy, the woman who accused Conor McGregor of assaulting her on his yacht, terminated the lawsuit this Monday, a month after she had launched the case. It was claimed that McGregor assaulted Samantha on July 17, 2022, following birthday celebrations held at Ocean Beach Club in Ibiza and then at the Irishman’s yacht.
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes set to headline UFC Fight Night event on April 22
Susan Cox - February 22, 2023
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes is set to headline the UFC Fight Night event on April 22nd. This, according to ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, who took to ‘Twitter’ with a picture of the two fighters and the commentary:
Aljamain Sterling says Michael Chandler has to “put together his Fight IQ” ahead of Conor McGregor fight: “You don't want people telling stories about you around the firepit”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2023
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has given Michael Chandler some advice ahead of his fight against Conor McGregor. A few weeks back, it was confirmed that Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. In addition to that, they will also fight one another when the season is over.
Jon Jones explains why he is gunning for Stipe Miocic after UFC 285: “To compete against such a man, I'd be honored”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2023
UFC star Jon Jones has explained why he’s gunning to face off with Stipe Miocic during his heavyweight run. Next weekend at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, Jon Jones is back. After three years away from the Octagon, he will return to lock horns with Ciryl Gane. The UFC heavyweight championship will be on the line as Jon makes his first appearance in the division.
Tyron Woodley interested in facing Jake Paul in PFL, blasts people for saying he took a dive: "If you stand still and let someone punch you as hard as they can, you can die!"
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2023
Tyron Woodley believes he and Jake Paul could fight again, but this time in MMA. Woodley made his boxing debut against Paul in August of 2021, with Jake winning a split decision in a fight the former UFC champion thought he won. The two then rematched a few months later in December but this time around, it was Paul winning by KO.
UFC adds two fights to May 13 fight card including Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2023
The UFC has started to fill out its May 13 event with two fights being added including the return of Mackenzie Dern. According to MMAJunkie, Dern is set to face Angela Hill at strawweight on May 13 at a location TBD. Later, it was reported by Mani Mayer that Karolina Kowalkiewicz will face Vanessa Demopoulos on that same May 13 event. The location of the card has not been announced, but the main event will see Anthony Smith take on Johnny walker.
The UFC parts ways with four more fighters
Jeffrey Walter - February 21, 2023
The UFC has parted ways with another four fighters according to recent reports from @UFCRosterWatch on ‘Twitter’. It should also be noted that it has not been confirmed if all of these moves were outright releases or simply contracts which were not renewed.
Henry Cejudo claims Aljamain Sterling is "afraid of him," expects the champ to pull out and be replaced by Sean O'Malley
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2023
Henry Cejudo isn’t sold that his UFC 288 title fight against Aljamain Sterling on May 6 will happen. Cejudo and Sterling have been linked to a fight since UFC 284 in February and at one point were slated to compete in April at UFC 287. Most recently, ‘Funkmaster’ announced that the fight was officially set for May 6, however Cejudo wonders if Sterling will actually make the walk to the Octagon as he believes the bantamweight champ is afraid of him.
Paulo Costa proposes clash with Sean Strickland at former U.S. President Donald Trump's house: "Let’s fight at Mar A Lago dude"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2023
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has an interesting idea in mind for his return. ‘The Eraser’ has been out of action since his clash with Luke Rockhold last August. In that outing, the Brazilian put on a classic, going back and forth with the former champion for 15 minutes. At the end of the three rounds, Costa got the badly-needed win by unanimous decision.