MMA News
Kevin Lee offers himself as Jake Paul's first PFL opponent: "If he wants to make it legitimate, I’ll be around"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Kevin Lee believes Jake Paul needs to fight someone like him in the cage to earn respect. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since a decision victory over Anderson Silva in the boxing ring in October. While the fight was the closest of the YouTuber’s career thus far, an eighth-round knockdown for Paul sealed the win. He went on to claim the victory over ‘The Spider’ by unanimous decision.
Former champion A.J. McKee signs multi-year extension with Bellator
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee will be sticking around in the promotion for the long haul. ‘Mercenary’ is fresh off his decision victory over Roberto de Souza in the main event of Bellator vs. RIZIN last month. The win was also McKee’s second since moving to the lightweight division earlier this year. He previously defeated Spike Carlyle at Bellator 286 in October.
Diego Sanchez set to face former boxing champion Austin Trout at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 in February
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Diego Sanchez is now slated for his BKFC debut next month. ‘The Nightmare’ has been out of action since a super lightweight clash with Kevin Lee at Eagle FC 46 last March. The fight marked the first for Sanchez outside the UFC since 2004, as he was released the prior year due to his association with Joshua Fabia. The UFC Hall of Fame inductee later left the controversial coach and guru in 2021.
Rafael Fiziev says he'll be "shocked" if Justin Gaethje fight doesn't happen in March: "When the UFC wants it, they make it happen"
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2023
Rafael Fiziev is confident he will fight Justin Gaethje his next time out. Fiziev has called out Gaethje in the past and ‘The Highlight’ has expressed some interest in the fight as well, but to date it hasn’t come to fruition. Although it hasn’t been booked yet, Fiziev says Dana White and the UFC have told him they want to schedule the contest to take place in March.
The CA Legislative Women’s Caucus demand that parent company Endeavour removes Dana White as UFC President
Lewis Simpson - January 10, 2023
Since the new year began, UFC President Dana White has been doing the rounds in the media for all the wrong reasons. While in a nightclub in Cabo, White was spotted slapping his wife Anne in footage released by TMZ. White has since taken accountability for his actions, labelling it as “embarrassing”. His wife has also made a statement revealing it’s “out of character” from the UFC boss.
Twenty-six-fight veteran Francisco Trinaldo reacts after receiving UFC release: “We feel a bit offended”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Twenty-six-fight veteran Francisco Trinaldo is reacting following receiving his UFC release. Francisco ‘Massaranduba’ Trinaldo (28-9 MMA) had won 5 of his last 7 fights in the Octagon, most recently meeting and being defeated by Randy Brown (16-4 MMA) by unanimous decision this past October.
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub reacts to “brilliant” Jake Paul signing with the PFL: “He’s doing the lord’s work”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub is reacting to the ‘brilliant’ move in Jake Paul signing with the PFL. It was recently announced that Jake Paul was joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his debut in the sport in 2023.
Conor McGregor unloads on “scruff” Kelvin Gastelum over his UFC Vegas 67 withdrawal: “Clean your mats. Wash yourself”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Conor McGregor has unloaded on ‘scruff’ Kelvin Gastelum over his UFC Vegas 67 withdrawal. UFC Vegas 67 takes place this coming Saturday night, January 14th, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada.
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling explains why his fight with Henry Cejudo is being delayed: “It’s whether or not I can compete with this torn bicep again”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has explained why his proposed fight with Henry Cejudo may have to be delayed. For the longest time now, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding Aljamain Sterling fighting Henry Cejudo. ‘Triple C’ has been retired for almost three years but despite that, he seems poised to walk back into another crack at the 135-pound belt.
Brendan Schaub is confident 2023 will be the final year of dominance for UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko: “I would be willing to bet all my cash”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub has predicted that Valentina Shevchenko will lose her flyweight crown by the end of the year. It’s safe to say that Valentina Shevchenko is one of the greatest female MMA fighters ever. At the age of 34, ‘Bullet’ has done a pretty incredible job of cleaning out the flyweight division. She’d been campaigning for the UFC to introduce the new weight class for years and after capturing the gold in late 2018, she’s gone on to successfully defend it seven times.
Joe Rogan explains why fighters who feel effects from CTE still continue to compete: “It's so above and beyond normal life experiences”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why he believes fighters carry on competing despite feeling the extreme effects. The impact of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) has been well documented across the last decade and beyond. Whether it be in the NFL or combat sports, a parade of athletes have been posthumously diagnosed with the condition that impacts the brain.
Kevin Lee explains how he would be “hurting” his “leverage” by returning to the UFC right now
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
Kevin Lee has explained how returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now would hurt his leverage. It’s been a while since we saw Kevin Lee in the UFC. The former lightweight title challenger left the company in late 2021 after suffering a loss to Daniel Rodriguez. Ever since then, he’s only had one fight – defeating Diego Sanchez in Eagle FC last March.
Adrian Yanez warns Rob Font of thinking he is a tune-up fight: "It's going to be far more than a tune-up, he has to be ready for war"
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Adrian Yanez was glad to finally be booked against Rob Font. After Yanez knocked out Tony Kelley in June at UFC Austin, a month later he was in discussions to fight Rob Font at Madison Square Garden. Yet, it never came to fruition, and Yanez was offered some different opponents but those too never happened.
Valentina Shevchenko has sights set on super fight with Zhang Weili or Amanda Nunes: "I’m definitely ready for Amanda and Weili"
Lewis Simpson - January 9, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is having a tough time getting matched with willing contenders. Shevchenko made the seventh consecutive defence of her gold strap with a controversial split decision win over Taila Santos at UFC 275. It was the first time anyone had seen the champion tested since her second meeting with Amanda Nunes in 2017.
Kelvin Gastelum issues statement after being forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 67 main event
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has released a statement after being forced out of UFC Vegas 67. The former UFC title challenger has been out of action since a decision loss to Jared Cannonier in August 2021. That defeat was a brutal one, as it set him back to 1-5 in his last six contests. He previously lost to names such as Robert Whittaker, and Darren Till in that stretch.
Terrance McKinney calls to face Paddy Pimblett next: "The way he blocked Jared's punches with his chin was impressive"
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
UFC lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney would like to face ‘The Baddy’ next. ‘T Wrecks’ has been out of action since his submission victory over Erick Gonzalez in August. That victory helped spring the 28-year-old back into the win column after suffering his first promotional loss to Drew Dober last March.
Former UFC champion Jose Aldo and his wife reportedly caught up in scandal involving government handouts
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is now once again back in hot water. ‘Junior’ retired from MMA following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 last August. Prior to the bout, the Brazilian stated that he would retire if he loses, as he was disinterested in fighting for anything but titles. After UFC 278, he kept his word and retired.
Bryce Mitchell claps back at Sean O’Malley following his recent troll job: “Your making it real personal. Talking about my family and money”
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell is seemingly unhappy with Sean O’Malley. ‘Thug Nasty’ is fresh off his return at UFC 282 against Ilia Topuria last month. Heading into the contest, Mitchell was riding a 15-fight winning streak, having recently defeated Edson Barboza that March. However, he would suffer his first career defeat to ‘El Matador’ that night in Las Vegas.