MMA News
Beneil Dariush reveals UFC is targeting Charles Oliveira fight in May, explains why he believes he'll get passed over for the next title shot
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Beneil Dariush is expecting to fight Charles Oliveira but doesn’t think it will be a title eliminator. Since Dariush beat Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280, he has called out Dustin Poirier and Oliveira as he was looking to get in a number-one contender bout. Yet, Poirier made it clear he wouldn’t face Dariush so with that, the fourth-ranked lightweight contender says he’s expecting to take on Oliveira in May.
Randy Couture details his role in the Francis Ngannou - UFC negotiations
Susan Cox - January 26, 2023
Randy Couture is detailing the role he played in the Francis Ngannou / UFC negotiations. The former Hall of Famer, Couture (19-11 MMA) retired in 2011 at the age of 47.
Diego Sanchez fires back at people who think he has CTE and brain damage: "I will get out of this sport if I ever have one underlying factor of CTE"
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Diego Sanchez is tired of people saying he has brain damage and CTE. Sanchez has been fighting professionally since 2002 and has fought a total of 44 times. Although all those matches have been in MMA, he will be making his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17 against a former boxing world champion, Austin Trout.
Michael Bisping reacts to the latest “nasty accusation” made against UFC star Conor McGregor: “Either way, it’s certainly not a good look”
Susan Cox - January 26, 2023
Michael Bisping is reacting to the latest ‘nasty accusation’ made against UFC star Conor McGregor. It was just yesterday that news broke that a previous allegation of assault on McGregor’s yacht during his birthday celebrations in Ibiza has been reopened.
Former UFC heavyweight Todd Duffee signs with KSW, set to challenge heavyweight champion Phil De Fries at KSW 79
Lewis Simpson - January 26, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight Todd Duffee has signed with one of the premiere mixed martial arts organizations in Europe, KSW. Duffee revealed the news on Wednesday’s showing of ‘The MMA Hour‘. Despite making his debut, the promotion quickly confirmed that he would challenge their heavyweight champion Phil De Fries at KSW 79 on Feb. 25 in Liberec, Czech Republic.
Dan Hooker believes Lauren Murphy vs. Jessica Andrade crossed the line of being a sporting endeavor: “Just like… a freak show”
Susan Cox - January 26, 2023
Dan Hooker believes Lauren Murphy vs. Jessica Andrade crossed the line of being a sporting endeavour. UFC 283 saw Lauren Murphy (16-6 MMA) and Jessica Andrade (24-9 MMA) in a flyweight bout last Saturday night, January 21st at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The result was a unanimous decision very impressive win for Andrade (30-25, 30-25 and 30-26). The Brazilian had picked up another win in front of her home country.
UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno receives painted mural in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico (Photo)
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has received a painted mural of himself back in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. If there was any doubt before UFC 283, there isn’t any now. Brandon Moreno is the undisputed best flyweight on the planet.
Alex Pereira issues challenge to newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill: “What about knocking me out?”
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2023
Alex Pereira has confirmed that he’s interested in taking on new UFC champion Jamahal Hill in a superfight this year. Last weekend, Jamahal Hill captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Glover Teixeira. One of the men in Glover’s corner was none other than Alex Pereira – the UFC middleweight champion.
The UFC removes three fighters from their active roster
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2023
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has reportedly removed three more fighters from their active roster. While it’s easy to think about the world class athletes that compete in the promotion, it’s worth remembering that not everyone is at that level. As such, from time to time, some fighters need to depart.
'Big' John McCarthy explains path to victory for Petr Yan against Merab Dvalishvili
Andrew Whitelaw - January 25, 2023
‘Big’ John McCarthy has laid out a gameplan for Petr Yan to beat Merab Dvalishvili when the pair go toe-to-toe in in March. The fight has the potential to be an absolute banger and will serve as the main event for UFC Vegas 71 in what will be the promotion’s inaugural event at the Virgin Hotel in Sin City.
Eddie Hearn believes Jake Paul should be a "big favorite" over Tommy Fury who "hasn’t looked very good recently"
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Eddie Hearn thinks Jake Paul will likely defeat Tommy Fury in February but says it’s still a dangerous fight for the American. Paul and Fury are scheduled to fight on February 25 in Saudi Arabia which is a bout many people have wanted to see. They have been booked twice previously but Fury pulled out both times. However, if it does come to fruition this time around, Hearn is picking Paul to win.
Former UFC champion Rafael Dos Anjos offers to welcome Dustin Poirier to the welterweight division
Zain Bando - January 25, 2023
Rafael Dos Anjos is itching for a fight to kickstart a potential 2023 title run. The former UFC lightweight champion is now competing as a welterweight and has a 2-1 divisional record since 2020, with his two wins coming against Bryan Barberena and Renato Moicano. Having not fought since December, Dos Anjos is interested in new challenges, and one of the possibilities that could make his wish a reality is a matchup with former two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier. ‘The Diamond’ recently picked up a win at UFC 281 in an instant classic against Michael Chandler in one of the best fights of 2022.
Paradigm plans to "cut off 100-percent of Manny Pacquiao's opportunities to earn money in the United States" as court date looms
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Paradigm – a management company – believes Manny Pacquiao has breached its contract. Pacquiao and Paradigm are set to go to court in March as the management company has accused the boxer of breaching their contract. The court date is set for March 3rd in Orange County, California.
Chatri Sityodtong admits he's unsure Angela and Christian Lee will fight again after passing of sister Victoria: "It's crossed my mind"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong is unsure if Angela and Christian Lee will fight again. Earlier this month, news broke that Victoria Lee passed away at 18 years old. ‘The Prodigy’ was 3-0 inside the promotion, having made her debut two years prior at just 16. At the time, Lee made headlines for being the youngest athlete in promotional history.
Alexandre Pantoja unhappy with "villain role" Brandon Moreno gave him following UFC 283: "F*ck you man"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2023
UFC flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja had addressed his fight night meeting with Brandon Moreno. ‘The Assassin Baby’ returned over the weekend at UFC 283 against Deiveson Figueiredo. In the first-ever quadrilogy fight in promotional history, Moreno dominated. He wound up re-earning the flyweight title by stoppage following the third round.
Oscar De La Hoya believes "powers that be" swept Dana White's slapping incident under the rug: "I mean c'mon!"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2023
Oscar De La Hoya is seemingly frustrated with the lack of repercussions for UFC president Dana White. Earlier this month, a video was released showing the MMA promoter and his wife, Anna, at a nightclub in Mexico. The pair were seemingly in a heated argument, which took place on New Year’s Eve. During the argument, White was slapped by his wife, and he returned with several of his own.
Marcus Brimage, eight-fight UFC veteran who fought Conor McGregor announces retirement from MMA
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Marcus Brimage is done with MMA. Brimage last competed in MMA in July 2021 at XMMA 2 when he lost a decision to Kyle Bochniak to drop his pro record to 7-8. Since then, Brimage has signed with BKFC and is focused on bare-knuckle and after having his BKFC fight he says he is done with MMA.
Jamahal Hill responds to Jiri Prochazka's callout: "Where you at though?"
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Jamahal Hill has responded to Jiri Prochazka. Hill became the UFC’s new light heavyweight champion at UFC 283 when he beat Glover Teixeira by decision in Brazil. Of course, Prochazka was the champ – as he submitted Teixeira in June – but vacated the belt due to an injury.