MMA News
Charles Oliveira makes his pick for Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev title fight
Andrew Whitelaw - December 29, 2022
Charles Oliveira has had his say on the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. In what is one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of 2023, The Australian will welcome the lightweight champion to Perth at UFC 284. ‘The Great’ will be competing at 155lb for the first time in his UFC career despite having fought as heavy as welterweight early in his career.
Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov react to their UFC Vegas 67 fight being off: "Nobody's scared"
Cole Shelton - December 29, 2022
Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be fighting at UFC Vegas 67 on January 14. Neal and Rakhmonov were set to be the co-main event of the card in a very intriguing welterweight scrap as ‘Nomad’ was looking to remain undefeated. However, just two weeks before the fight, it was reported that Neal suffered an injury and was forced out of the contest.
KSI's manager confirms boxing match with Dillon Danis is still on after contract issues: "No excuses left to back out now"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2022
It seems that KSI vs. Dillon Danis will go ahead after all. ‘The Nightmare’ made his return in August, knocking out two opponents in one night on DAZN pay-per-view. Following the win, the British YouTuber again called out names such as Jake Paul and Andrew Tate, amongst others.
Former UFC fighter and Ramzan Kadyrov-ally Abdul-Kerim Edilov passes away at 31 under mysterious circumstances
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2022
Former UFC light-heavyweight prospect Abdul-Kerim Edilov has reportedly passed away at 31 years old. The news was initially reported by Chechen opposition movements 1ADAT and Niyso on their telegram channels. The report stated that he passed away earlier today, but no cause of death was given. It’s worth noting that Edilov was a strong ally of Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov.
Dillon Danis claims KSI is making new rules for their fight, hints the bout may not happen: “There’s a lot of fishy things going on”
Cole Shelton - December 29, 2022
Dillon Danis says KSI and his team are acting fishy just two weeks before their fight. Danis and KSI are set to headline a Misfits Boxing card on January 14 in London, England. However, Danis skipped the press conference and many wondered if the fight would happen. After ensuring fans the bout was still a go, ‘El Jefe’ is now changing his tune.
Jan Blachowicz is not happy with how Joe Rogan handled the post-fight interview at UFC 282: “He shouldn’t say something like this”
Lewis Simpson - December 29, 2022
Jan Blachowicz is unhappy with how Joe Rogan handled his post-fight interview at UFC 282 following his split draw with Magomed Ankalaev. After 25 minutes of gruelling back-and-forth action, a dazed adrenaline-filled Blachowicz told Rogan he didn’t feel he had done enough to reclaim the light heavyweight title. However, the Polish native did insist he had to watch the fight back to give an honest review of his performance.
Marlon Vera believes some UFC fighters are still cheating and getting away with it: “Are USADA testing people in a f*****g third world country?”
Lewis Simpson - December 29, 2022
Despite the UFC roster being put through regular drug testing from USADA, Marlon Vera still believes there are fighters cheating and getting away with it. Vera took to the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith to claim that several fighters in the UFC were still taking steroids and cheating the system to gain an unfair advantage. Despite USADA testing fighters routinely, Bisping and Smith both agreed the issue still exists.
Michael Bisping responds after Marlon Vera encourages him to give up MMA training: “Don't let me out to pasture just yet”
Harry Kettle - December 29, 2022
Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has joked with Marlon Vera after the bantamweight suggested he moves into coaching. For the longest time now, Michael Bisping has been a beloved figure in mixed martial arts. From his initial rise to winning the middleweight title, ‘The Count’ has maintained that popularity even after retiring from the sport.
Dana White explains why the UFC is not interested in cross-promotion events: “They’re going to be here anyway”
Harry Kettle - December 29, 2022
UFC president Dana White has explained why the promotion isn’t interested in co-promoting with other companies. For many years now, Dana White’s primary focus has been growing the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In turn, then, he’s also been growing mixed martial arts as a whole.
Paige VanZant return to combat sports put on hold after suffering three broken bones
Harry Kettle - December 29, 2022
Paige VanZant’s proposed return to combat sports has seemingly been put on hold after she suffered a few broken bones. While she may not be the most prolific fighter in combat sports history, Paige VanZant is certainly one of the most famous. From UFC to BKFC and beyond, she’s not afraid of getting into a scrap.
“That could have been me,” John Dodson reflects on Henry Cejudo winning the flyweight title after he left the UFC
Andrew Whitelaw - December 28, 2022
John Dodson is on a mission to prove he’s still one of the best in the world in his weight class. The TUF 14 winner will return to action at Rizin 40 to help launch the promotion’s flyweight division when he takes on Hideo Tokoro. The New Year’s Eve bout will be a homecoming of sorts for ‘Magic,’ who first fought in Japan back in 2004.
Ben Rothwell eyes return at KnuckleMania, says he doubts Greg Hardy will ever fight in BKFC
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2022
Ben Rothwell couldn’t have had a better BKFC debut. Rothwell made his promotional debut at BKFC 30 and scored a 19-second knockout win over Bobo O’Bannon. Heading into the fight, the longtime UFC veteran was confident he would have success in BKFC but didn’t expect his debut to go that well.
VIDEO | Marcus Aurelio scores absurd TKO win after driving Hidenori Ebata into moat
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2022
There is truly nothing like MMA in Japan, as evidenced by today’s Inoki Bob-Ba-Yae x Ganryujima event. The event served as a tribute to the late Antonio Inoki. A noted fan of professional wrestling as well as MMA, he fought Muhammad Ali in a mixed-rules bout. Their 1976 draw is considered one of the earliest MMA contests, and a precursor to the rise of the UFC.
Forrest Griffin pays tribute to Stephan Bonnar: “I’ll always miss you, brother”
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2022
Forrest Griffin has paid tribute to his former opponent Stephan Bonnar. Bonnar passed away on Thursday from presumed heart complications while at work. The news shocked many in the MMA community as he was only 45 years old.
Ricky Simon calls for clash with former UFC champion Petr Yan: "I heard you decided not to retire"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2022
UFC bantamweight contender Ricky Simon has a big name in mind for his return. The Washington native has been out of action since his clash with Jack Shore in July. There, Simon earned ‘Performance of the Night’ honors, as he submitted ‘Tank’ in round two. The loss was a devastating one for Shore, as it was the first defeat of his career.
Cain Velasquez reflects on "uncomfortable" wrestling match with Brock Lesnar: "It was very different"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2022
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has opened up on his wrestling match with Brock Lesnar. In October 2010, the two met at UFC 121 with the heavyweight title on the line. For his part, Lesnar was attempting to establish a new record for title defenses, with three. Meanwhile, Velasquez was coming off a knockout win over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira earlier that year.
Sean O’Malley explains how fighting at the UFC Apex puts Cory Sandhagen at a “disadvantage” against Marlon Vera
Susan Cox - December 28, 2022
Sean O’Malley is explaining how fighting at the UFC Apex puts Cory Sandhagen at a ‘disadvantage’ against Marlon Vera. UFC Fight Night takes place on Saturday, February 18th, 2023 and will see Cory Sandhagen (15-4 MMA) vs Marlon Vera (20-7 MMA) in the bantamweight main event at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada.
Alex Volkanovski is oozing confidence ahead of Islam Makhachev title fight at UFC 284: “I’m already twice the fighter I was”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2022
Alex Volkanovski is oozing confidence ahead of the Islam Makhachev title fight at UFC 284. UFC 284 takes place on February 12th, 2023, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.