MMA News
Taila Santos forced out of fight with Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 69, Jessica Andrade steps in to fill the void
Chris Taylor - February 11, 2023
Taila Santos has been forced out of her fight with Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 69 and Jessica Andrade has agreed to fill the void. Santos (19-2 MMA) was slated to return for the first time since suffering a split decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko last June at UFC 275. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case, as ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported the following news on Twitter:
UFC 284: 'Makhachev vs. Volkanovski' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 11, 2023
The Octagon returns to Perth, Australia for tonight’s UFC 284 event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev (23-1 MMA) will be looking to defend his lightweight title for the first time when he faces reigning featherweight champion Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) this evening.
Blake Bilder plans to "put on a show" and finish Shane Young in his debut at UFC 284: "It will bring a spotlight and a lot of eyes on me"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
Blake Bilder is excited to finally make his UFC debut. After Bilder submitted Alex Morgan in the first round on the Contender, the 32-year-old earned a UFC deal. Although he was hoping to make his debut in 2022, he was offered to fight Shane Young at UFC 284.
UFC reportedly makes massive changes to contracts including more restrictions and waiver to prevent class action lawsuits
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2023
The UFC has made massive changes to their contracts, just one month after Francis Ngannou left the promotion. ‘The Predator’ famously left the promotion as heavyweight champion late last month. Ngannou negotiated with Dana White and the UFC for the majority of 2022, however, the two sides were unable to come to a new deal. At the time, the heavyweight stated that while the money was good, there were other issues with the contract.
Nate Diaz scolds “pussy” Dustin Poirier for dodging a real fighter: “When sh*t got hit you bitched out of the fight”
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2023
Former UFC welterweight Nate Diaz fired many shots at Dustin Poirier earlier today. The Stockton native has been out of action since submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 last September. However, as the story goes, Diaz was never supposed to face ‘El Cucuy’ that night. He was originally slated to face Khamzat Chimaev in the five-round headliner.
Anthony Smith vs. Johnny Walker set to headline May Fight Night event
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
Anthony Smith and Johnny Walker will meet in the main event of a Fight Night card in May. According to MMAFighting, Smith and Walker have agreed to headline a Fight Night card on May 13 at a location TBD. MMA Ideas was the first to report that the fight was in the works, and BJPENN.com has since confirmed that May 13 is the targeted date.
PFL CEO "excited" about the conversations they are having with Francis Ngannou: "We believe we're the perfect fit"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
PFL CEO Peter Murray says talks with free agent heavyweight Francis Ngannou are going well as he believes they are the perfect fit. It was recently announced that Ngannou was released from his UFC deal, and he could sign with whoever he wanted to. Immediately, many thought he would go to boxing and try and secure a fight against Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder, but Murray says PFL is in solid discussions with Ngannou.
Dana White reveals Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chander could take place at Dallas Cowboys Stadium: "They're in the running"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2023
UFC president Dana White believes Conor McGregor’s return could land in a massive stadium. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. In the final moments of the first round, McGregor broke his leg. In the process, losing his second straight bout to ‘The Diamond’. However, it also put him on the shelf for over a year.
Alexander Volkanovski eager to test the waters at welterweight if successful at UFC 284: "If my goal is to do three belts, I don’t care who it is"
Lewis Simpson - February 10, 2023
On Sunday morning, in Perth, Australia, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski could become a two-weight division champion. However, that may not be enough. Volkanovski will challenge for Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title in the Dagestan native’s first title defense at UFC 284. Having cleared out the featherweight division, Volkanovski is moving up to become the fifth ‘double champ’ in the history of the UFC.
Brandon Moreno weighs-in on angry Brazilian fans following his UFC 283 victory over Deiveson Figueiredo
Lewis Simpson - February 10, 2023
Brandon Moreno weighed in on the reaction from the Brazilian fans following his victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283. The co-headliner in Brazil featured a fourth contest between Moreno and Figueiredo. In the third round, Moreno landed a clean shot that forced the then-champion to retreat. ‘The Assassin Baby’ was then awarded the win by doctor stoppage and crowned the new UFC flyweight champion.
Vitor Belfort slams “Fake Paul” for running from him: “The biggest talker of all time”
Susan Cox - February 10, 2023
Vitor Belfort is slamming ‘Fake Paul’ for running from him. ‘The Phenom’ (26-14 MMA) retired from the UFC back in 2018, after a TKO loss to Lyoto Machida (26-12 MMA) at UFC 224.
Alexander Volkanovksi claims Islam Makhachev was “feeling a little frail” during their UFC 284 faceoff
Susan Cox - February 10, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is claiming Islam Makhachev was ‘feeling a little frail’ during their UFC 284 press conference face-off. UFC 284 takes place tomorrow, Saturday February 11th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Michael Chandler explains why former opponent Dan Hooker is one of his favorite fighters
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
UFC star Michael Chandler has explained why former opponent Dan Hooker is one of his favourite fighters in mixed martial arts. Last week, it was announced that Michael Chandler will welcome Conor McGregor back to the Octagon this year. He’ll do so after the two have coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.
CTE expert Dr. Bennet Omalu speaks out against Dana White’s “primitive” Power Slap League: “It is very dumb”
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
CTE expert Dr. Bennet Omalu has lashed out at UFC president Dana White over the dangers of his Power Slap league. While the numbers have been good, Dana White’s Power Slap league has generated a lot of controversy. Between the low pay and known health concerns, it’s understandable to see why there’s been so much pessimism surrounding it.
Chael Sonnen explains how Josh Emmett and Yair Rodriguez “botched” their championship fight at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he isn’t a fan of how Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett have built up their UFC 284 title fight. This Saturday night in Australia, the co-main event will feature Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett. In that contest, the two will compete for the UFC interim featherweight championship.
Report | Charles Oliveira set to return at UFC 288 against Beneil Dariush
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
Charles Oliveira is reportedly set to return to the Octagon later this year when he meets Beneil Dariush at UFC 288. Towards the end of 2022, Charles Oliveira’s phenomenal run as UFC lightweight champion came to an end. He was beaten thoroughly by Islam Makhachev, leaving many to wonder what his future would look like in mixed martial arts.
Don Shainis knows he can't leave it up to the judges against local fighter Jack Jenkins at UFC 284: "I know deep down if it is a close decision it probably isn't going my way"
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Don Shainis knows he has to finish Jack Jenkins at UFC 284 if he is going to win. Shainis made his UFC debut last October on short notice and was submitted in 30 seconds against Sodiq Yusuff. Although the fight didn’t go his way, he already had his eye on Jenkins as he watched the Contender Series live the week of his fight and saw Jenkins get a win.
Calvin Kattar reveals torn ACL is expected to hold him out of action until 2024: "I just want to make sure I’m 100 percent"
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar will be out of action for a while. ‘The Boston Finisher’ has been out of the octagon since his clash with Arnold Allen last October. That bout was a bit of a must-win for Kattar, as he was still gunning for a title shot after losing to Josh Emmett that summer. Instead, disaster struck for the featherweight.