MMA News
Kenny Florian believes PFL's best heavyweights "can hang" with Francis Ngannou if the promotion signs him
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Kenny Florian, a commentator for the Professional Fighters League, believes the promotion’s best heavyweights can hang with Francis Ngannou should the free agent sign with the PFL. Once it was revealed Ngannou was free from his UFC contract many pointed to the PFL as a potential option. Ngannou had previously posted a picture with a family member wearing a PFL shirt and he also has a relationship with Ray Sefo who runs the promotion. With that, Florian is hoping Ngannou ends up signing with the PFL if he returns to MMA.
Thiago Moises says if Melquizael Costa didn't tap at UFC 283 he would've broken "his face", uncertain if the promotion gives him Paddy Pimblett
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Thiago Moises was worried he wasn’t going to fight at UFC 283 in Brazil. Moises was supposed to face Guram Kutateladze but the Georgian pulled out of the fight just weeks prior to the event. With that, Moises was worried the UFC wouldn’t find him a replacement, but they ultimately did as he took on UFC newcomer Melquizael Costa.
Henry Cejudo opens as a slight underdog to Aljamain Sterling in targeted UFC 287 title fight
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Henry Cejudo has opened as the betting underdog for his potential fight against Aljamain Sterling. Cejudo and Sterling have taken shots at one another for quite some time and it has since been reported the two are slated to fight at UFC 287 in April. With the fight now targeted to happen, BetOnline opened up odds for the fight where they have Sterling as a slight favorite.
Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington rematch in the works to headline UFC San Antonio on March 25th
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023
UFC women’s bantamweight contenders Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington could be squaring off in March. Earlier this week, there were reports ‘Robles’ would be facing Amanda Nunes at UFC 285 in March. However, it was later clarified that ‘The Lioness’ likely wouldn’t face Aldana next. As of now, the women’s bantamweight, and featherweight champion remains unbooked.
Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev underestimating him heading into UFC 284: "That face quickly changes when I’m in the octagon"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes Islam Makhachev is underestimating him. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Max Holloway last July. In that outing at UFC 276, Volkanovski dominated en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. In the process, closing the chapter on his rivalry with ‘Blessed’ at three victories to none.
Former UFC heavyweight Bigfoot Silva seemingly teases move to Power Slap League: "There is not a human being on earth who could survive my slap!"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva might not be done competing after all. The Brazilian had a memorable run in the promotion from 2012 to 2016. Entering the UFC off a successful run in Strikeforce that saw him defeat names such as Fedor Emelianenko, expectations were high. For the most part, Silva lived up to those expectations.
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.
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.
Sage Northcutt looking for several fights this year ahead of ONE Championship comeback
Andrew Whitelaw - January 26, 2023
Sage Northcutt is looking to make up for lost time. The American was once one of the darlings of the UFC having been discovered fighting on LFA on an episode of Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight. He was soon offered a UFC contract as a teenager and amassed a 6-2 record inside the Octagon before signing with ONE Championship in 2018.
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.
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.
Sean O’Malley believes he’s the “superstar” the UFC desperately needs: “They’ve got Jon Jones, but he’s getting older”
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2023
UFC fighter Sean O’Malley believes he could be the promotion’s next big star through the next phase of his career. Over the course of the last few years, the popularity of Sean O’Malley has gone through the roof. From his personality to his fight style and beyond, ‘Suga’ has proven himself to be a true superstar at bantamweight.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor reveals he's been offered to coach the next season of TUF: "I like it. It is full immersion which is needed."
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2023
Conor McGregor may be coaching The Ultimate Fighter again. McGregor coached TUF 22 against Urijah Faber in 2015 in a season where the coaches were not going to fight at the end of it. Yet, the season was a success as McGregor drew eyeballs to the show and now he took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal he has been offered to coach the show again.