MMA News
UFC featherweight Edson Barboza honored with mural in his hometown
Josh Evanoff - January 6, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Edson Barboza has been honored with a mural in Brazil. The Brazilian has been in the UFC for nearly 15 years, making his promotional debut in 2010. Barboza spent the majority of his run at lightweight but moved down to featherweight in 2020. While he lost his debut to Dan Ige, he quickly rattled off wins over Makwan Amirkhani and Shane Burgos.
Bryce Mitchell explains how the UFC influenced his decision to fight Ilia Topuria despite battling illness: “If you don’t take this fight, we’re not finding you one until February”
Susan Cox - January 6, 2023
Bryce Mitchell is explaining how the UFC influenced his decision to fight Ilia Topuria despite battling illness. Bryce Mitchell (15-1 MMA) vs Ilia Topuria (13-0 MMA) took place this past December at UFC 282. ‘Thug Nasty’ lost that fight by submission at 3:10 of Round 2. The 28-year-old Mitchell had been unbeaten in 15 fights heading into his match with Topuria.
Coach Javier Mendez doesn't expect Islam Makhachev to finish Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284
Lewis Simpson - January 6, 2023
Coach Javier Mendez doesn’t expect his student Islam Makhachev to run through Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. Makhachev achieved a lifelong dream of becoming the undisputed UFC lightweight champion at UFC 280 in October of last year. The 31-year-old submitted Charles Oliveira in the second round to attain the crown his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov once held.
Dana White ridiculed by UFC fans after releasing “F**k it Friday” video
Susan Cox - January 6, 2023
Dana White is being ridiculed by UFC fans after releasing his latest ‘F**k it Friday’ video. It was only earlier this week that the news and video, courtesy of TMZ, surfaced of Dana White slapping his wife Anna at a New Years Eve Party. The couple were at a nightclub in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where they were on vacation with family. It appeared that Dana and Anna were arguing when Anna struck her husband and he returned the gesture more than once.
Ali Abdelaziz shuts down “rumors” that Kamaru Usman won’t be fighting Leon Edwards next: “He is good to go”
Susan Cox - January 6, 2023
Ali Abdelaziz has shut down ‘rumors’ that Kamaru Usman won’t be fighting Leon Edwards next. It was just this past August at UFC 278 that Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) was defeated by Leon Edwards (20-3 MMA) by a brutal knockout in the fifth round. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ had lost his welterweight title to ‘Rocky’.
Michael Bisping believes Rose Namajunas submission loss to Gillian Robertson explains why she “was so timid” in rematch with Carla Esparza
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2023
Michael Bisping believes Rose Namajunas’ recent submission loss to Gillian Robertson could explain her UFC 274 title defeat. During her career, Rose Namajunas has provided fans with two of the greatest title wins in UFC history. Her triumphs over Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili, simply put, were both remarkable in their own sense.
Ben Askren open to a rematch with Jake Paul in PFL if the UFC will allow it: “I’d love to rub his face in the canvas”
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2023
Ben Askren has explained how his UFC contract could prevent him from facing Jake Paul in a mixed martial arts bout. Back in April 2021, Ben Askren opted to step foot into the boxing ring to take on Jake Paul. Many weren’t quite sure how it would play out but in the end, ‘The Problem Child’ dusted Askren within the first round.
Conor McGregor vows to “slice through someone” in his UFC return and he doesn’t care who: “Line up”
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2023
Conor McGregor has vowed to make a statement when he supposedly makes his return to the UFC Octagon this year. Ever since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in summer 2021, Conor McGregor has been on the road to recovery. Some wondered, understandably, whether he’d ever fight again.
Daniel Cormier explains why Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 would qualify as the "biggest" upset in MMA history
Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes Alex Volkanovski defeating Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 would qualify as the “biggest” upset in MMA history. Volkanovski (25-1 MMA), the UFC’s current featherweight kingpin, will move up a weight class to challenge the reigning lightweight champion in Makhachev (23-1 MMA) on February 12 at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
Chael Sonnen claims Jorge Masvidal vs. Nick Diaz was previously discussed by the UFC: “Masvidal never co-signed it. I don’t know why.”
Zain Bando - January 5, 2023
Chael Sonnen is one of the most outspoken faces in the sport of MMA. Post-retirement, he has been seen breaking down fights, serving as a commentator and analyst while also hosting his famed “Bad Guy Inc.” YouTube show discussing all things in the world of mixed martial arts. During a whirlwind week of MMA news, which included Dana White slapping his wife, “Power Slap” being delayed a week and more, some potential fight news was brought up by Sonnen in a recent edition of the show. Jorge Masvidal, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, will aim to get back into title contention in 2023. Against who, however, is a different story.
Conor McGregor reacts to Jake Paul signing with the PFL: “Numbnuts gave away 50% of a future purse if he does an mma bout?”
Cole Shelton - January 5, 2023
Conor McGregor has shared his thoughts on Jake Paul signing with the PFL. On Thursday, it was revealed that Paul has signed a multi-year multi-fight deal with the PFL. The brash YouTuber-turned-boxer will also help promote the promotion’s pay-per-view series where he revealed fighters will receive 50% revenue.
Pro fighters react after Jake Paul announces he will compete in PFL's 'Super Fight' division: "It's getting really hard not to like the guy"
Jeffrey Walter - January 5, 2023
Several pro fighters took to Twitter with reactions after Jake Paul announced he will be fighting MMA in PFL’s Super Fight division. It was earlier today that Paul (6-0 Boxing) shared a video announcing that he has signed a contract to fight with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). ‘The Problem Child’, 25, reportedly signed a multi-year deal to compete in the promotion’s new ‘Super Fight’ division.
Jake Paul hints that he will fight Mike Perry next after Tommy Fury declined boxing match: "It might be your lucky year"
Josh Evanoff - January 5, 2023
Jake Paul and Mike Perry might be facing off in the boxing ring later this year. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since his clash with Anderson Silva in October. In the biggest test of the YouTuber’s career thus far, he passed with flying colors. While the bout was close, an eighth-round knockdown for Paul sealed the win over ‘The Spider’ by decision.
Nate Diaz teases move to RIZIN in latest social media post
Josh Evanoff - January 5, 2023
It appears that we may soon have an answer as to where Nate Diaz is fighting next. The Stockton native has been out of action since his clash with Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September. Prior to the bout, it was revealed that it was the last of Diaz’s contract with the promotion. The fan-favorite was originally slated to face Khamzat Chimaev, but the bout was scrapped after ‘Borz’ missed weight.
Television debut of Dana White's Power Slap League officially delayed by TBS
Josh Evanoff - January 5, 2023
The debut of Dana White’s Power Slap League has been delayed by TBS. The news was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA. Earlier today, speculation was rampant that the show was canceled due to the debut set for January 11th pulled off of TBS’s programming schedule. As it turns out, it has been delayed, but not for long.
Joe Rogan debates Paddy Pimblett's controversial win over Jared Gordon with Dave Portnoy: "He shouldn't have won"
Josh Evanoff - January 5, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan discussed Paddy Pimblett’s win over Jared Gordon alongside Dave Portnoy. Last month at UFC 282 in Las Vegas, the two lightweights faced off. Despite being just three fights into his UFC journey, ‘The Baddy’ was given the co-main event spot. While he’s not been in the promotion for long, he’s become a star, mostly thanks to promotional deals such as the one he has with Barstool Sports.
TBS programming remove Dana White's Power Slap League from schedule ahead of launch
Lewis Simpson - January 5, 2023
Dana White has not had a great start to 2023, and it’s about to worsen. White’s newly formed Power Slap League has been removed from the TBS programming schedule ahead of their expected launch on Jan. 11.
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis offers to be Jake Paul’s first opponent in PFL: “More than happy to welcome you”
Susan Cox - January 5, 2023
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis is offering to be Jake Paul’s first opponent in PFL. With the announcement that the Professional Flighters League has partnered with Jake Paul to build and fight in their PPV Super Fights Division, Anthony Pettis has laid out the welcome mat.