MMA News
Ali Abdelaziz reveals UFC wanted Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad as Ultimate Fighter coaches but 'Chaos' declined: "Nobody knows where he’s at"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2023
According to Ali Abdelaziz, the UFC wanted Belal Muhammad and Colby Covington to coach The Ultimate Fighter. ‘Remember the Name’ has been out of action since his victory over Sean Brady in October. With that performance, Muhammad increased his undefeated streak to nine. During his current winning streak, he’s defeated names such as Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia.
Fedor Emelianenko admits he won't leave MMA behind after retirement similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov: "This sport is in my blood"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2023
Bellator heavyweight contender Fedor Emelianenko is retiring from MMA, but he’ll be around. ‘The Last Emperor’ is slated to make the final walk this Saturday against Ryan Bader. The pair will headline Bellator 290, in a rematch for the heavyweight gold. ‘Darth’ previously knocked out the legend in the finals of the heavyweight Grand Prix in 2019.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Taila Santos tabbed as new headliner for UFC Vegas 69 on February 18th
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2023
There’s a new main event for UFC Vegas 69 later this month. The card is slated for February 18th and will be held at the UFC Apex. The card was originally slated to be headlined by a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera. However, those plans have now changed.
Eddie Hearn reveals talks with Nate Diaz as Stockton slugger targets clash with Canelo Alvarez: "Nate Diaz can box"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn isn’t ruling out Nate Diaz vs. Canelo Alvarez. The Stockton slugger fought out his UFC contract last September, as he defeated Tony Ferguson. Immediately following the victory, Diaz teased that he would move to the boxing ring next. However, he also didn’t rule out a possible return to the octagon.
Report | Manny Pacquiao set to take on Kota Ibushi in Japan
Susan Cox - February 3, 2023
Manny Pacquiao is set to take on Kota Ibushi in Japan. Yes, a recent report from Tokyo Sports indicates that the Boxing Hall of Famer, Pacquiao is set to match up with Kota Ibushi in his debut with the Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN.
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya extends offer to Nate Diaz: “Bro if your free let me take care of your future negotiations”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2023
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has extended an offer to Nate Diaz. Oscar De La Hoya, 49, is an American boxing promoter and former professional boxer who competed in the sport for 16 years, from 1992 to 2008. De La Hoya won 10 world titles in six weight classes. Oscar also established a boxing promotional firm, Golden Boy Promotions, Inc. in 2002 which is based in Los Angeles, California.
Islam Makhachev wants to prove his striking skills with a KO of Alex Volkanovski, reveals who he wants to fight after UFC 284
Susan Cox - February 3, 2023
Islam Makhachev wants to prove his striking skills with a KO of Alex Volkanovski. It will be Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) vs Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) in the lightweight main event on Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284. With the championship on the line the two fighters will battle it out in the Octagon for the ultimate prize.
Nate Diaz sounds off on Anthony Smith over his assessment of Dana White’s Power Slap league
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2023
Nate Diaz has gone off on Anthony Smith over his recent praise for Dana White’s Power Slap league. There’s been a whole lot of talk as of late surrounding slap fighting and Dana White’s new Power Slap venture. While many have criticized it, others have welcomed this new entry into the madness of combat sports.
Daniel Cormier warns Colby Covington that he needs to stay active to remain relevant: “He is in no man’s land out on an island by himself”
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has issued a warning to Colby Covington regarding his status in the welterweight division. Last March, Colby Covington put an end to his rivalry with Jorge Masvidal thanks to a dominant decision win over ‘Gamebred’. However, just a few weeks later, Masvidal opted to attack Colby at a steakhouse in Miami, Florida.
Former UFC champion Jessica Andrade opens up on childhood abuse, explains why she cancelled OnlyFans account: “That was really bad for me”
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2023
Former UFC champion Jessica Andrade has opened up on the childhood abuse she suffered when she was younger. Throughout the course of her time in mixed martial arts, Jessica Andrade has always been a tough customer. Her grit, ability and determination even led to her winning the UFC strawweight championship a few years back.
Roy Jones Jr. expresses interest in exhibition fight with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko: “We have already somehow negotiated on this subject”
Zain Bando - February 2, 2023
Fedor Emelianenko will enter an MMA cage for what will presumably be his final fight — a heavyweight championship rematch with former UFC light heavyweight and TUF 8 winner Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 Saturday. ‘Darth’ took down Emelianenko with a TKO finish in their first encounter a few years back. A victory for the Arizona native will seal the deal on one of Bellator’s biggest rivalries and solidify Bader’s place as one of the best fighters in promotional history.
Max Rohskopf glad he's getting thrown "right into the mix" at lightweight at Bellator 290, says he doesn't "need to prove anything to anyone"
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Max Rohskopf will finally make his Bellator debut on Saturday at Bellator 290. Rohskopf was supposed to make his debut last October but on the day of the fight, he was scratched from the card after not being cleared by the commission. Rohskopf was frustrated by that as he says he was cleared by three separate doctors to compete.
PFL announces main and co-main events for first three regular-season fight cards including the debuts of Shane Burgos and Thiago Santos
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced its main and co-main events for its first three regular-season fight cards of 2023. PFL will be returning on April 1 with the other two events being on April 7 and 14, with all three fight cards taking place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Along with announcing its first three fight cards, PFL announced the main and co-main events for the upcoming events.
Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen moves to headline UFC San Antonio
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen will not be fighting in two weeks. Vera and Sandhagen were supposed to headline a Fight Night card on February 18 at the UFC Apex. However, the promotion has shifted plans as according to Sports Illustrated, Vera vs. Sandhagen will now headline UFC San Antonio on March 25.
Adam Fugitt believes he proved he "deserves" to be in the UFC with short notice fight, eyes KO win over Yusaku Kinoshita at UFC Vegas 68
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Adam Fugitt believes UFC Vegas 68 is his true Octagon debut. Fugitt stepped up on short notice back at UFC 277 and suffered a third-round TKO loss to Michael Morales. However, he was a massive underdog in the fight and had some success early on which he believes proves he belongs in the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Alexander Volkanovski doesn't want the narrative of Islam Makhachev to change if he wins at UFC 284: "Just remember what you’re saying he is now"
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski wants people to remember how highly they thought of Islam Makhachev once UFC 284 is over and done. Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title for the first time in the main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia, against the featherweight champ in Volkanovski. It’s a massive fight as it’s pound-for-pound number one vs. number two, but many fans and analysts aren’t giving Volkanovski much of a chance.
Jamahal Hill hits back at critics who believe Jiri Prochazka is the legitimate light-heavyweight champion: "My man’s barely beat Glover"
Josh Evanoff - February 2, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill doesn’t want to hear any talk about Jiri Prochazka. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is fresh off his showdown with Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 last month. Despite heading into the Brazilian’s home country, Hill dominated. He wound up winning the bout via a lopsided unanimous decision, becoming champion in the process.
Aljamain Sterling says Henry Cejudo title fight is delayed until May, plans to remind 'Triple C' "that he should have stayed retired
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2023
Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo has been delayed again. Sterling and Cejudo were linked to fighting one another at UFC 285 in March but that didn’t come to fruition. The hope then became to rebook the fight for April. Now, however, Sterling revealed the fight is being targeted to happen in May, but he promises the scrap will happen. When the two do share the Octagon, Sterling is confident he will get his hand raised and will serve as a reminder that Cejudo should’ve stayed retired.