MMA News
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.
Doo Ho Choi set to return to the Octagon in February 2023
Susan Cox - December 28, 2022
Doo Ho Choi is set to return to the Octagon in February 2023. It will be over 3 years since Doo Ho Choi has fought in the Octagon. ‘The Korean Superboy’ after being on a 12 fight winning streak, lost 3 fights in a row. Choi, 31, last fought Charles Jourdain (13-6 MMA) in December of 2019 where he lost via TKO at 4:32 of Round 2.
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.
Pat Barry set to return for the first time in eight years
Susan Cox - December 28, 2022
Pat Barry is set to return for the first time in eight years. Barry (8-7 MMA) last fought under the UFC banner in December of 2013 at UFC Fight Night 33. It was Pat Barry vs Soa Palelei (22-5 MMA) with the results being a first round knockout loss for the Louisianan. It was to be his second consecutive first round knockout loss. Overall the heavyweight had the dismal record of losing 4 match-ups by KO/TKO and three by submission.
Paulo Costa and Belal Muhammad chime in on Khamzat Chimaev’s claim that nobody wants to fight him
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2022
Paulo Costa and Belal Muhammad have both laughed off Khamzat Chimaev’s claim that nobody wants to fight him. It’s no secret that Khamzat Chimaev is one of the scariest fighters in mixed martial arts. He’s unbeaten in the UFC and, in the eyes of many, has the potential to become a two-weight UFC champion.
Chael Sonnen details the lone difference between Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2022
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on the big difference between Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley. For so long now, Paddy Pimblett and Sean O’Malley have been two of the fastest-rising stars in mixed martial arts. While they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the real difference maker has been their overwhelming popularity within their respective fanbases.
Cain Velasquez talks about time spent in jail: "You’ve got a lot of alone time with yourself"
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2022
Cain Velasquez has opened up about his time in jail. Velasquez was arrested in February but was granted bail on November 8, which also let him take part in a Lucha Libra wrestling event. Yet, he did spend 253 days in jail and the former UFC heavyweight champion spoke on the Keepin’ It 100 podcast and talked about his time in jail.
"99.9 percent probability" Jose Aldo will make boxing debut in 2023 at Hardcore Boxing event
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2022
Jose Aldo will be making his boxing debut in 2023. After Aldo lost to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 he announced his retirement from MMA. However, he was vocal in saying he was done with MMA but would like to take a boxing fight if possible.
Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero scrapped from Bellator 290, current champion added to co-main event slot
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2022
Bellator 290’s main card has lost a champion but gained another. On February 4th, Fedor Emelianenko will fight for the final time against Ryan Bader. The bout is actually a rematch of their prior encounter at Bellator 214. In their January 2019 fight, ‘Darth’ scored a first-round knockout win over the legend.
Derek Brunson seemingly walks back retirement talk: "4 fights in 2023 LFG"
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2022
UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson is planning on being active next year. The 38-year-old has been out of action since his showdown with Jared Cannonier at UFC 271 in February. For his part, the latter was coming off a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum in August 2021. For the middleweight clash in February, there were some high stakes.
Belal Muhammad reveals he's willing to face Leon Edwards in street-fight rematch: "We can show out there too"
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2022
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad is willing to face Leon Edwards in the cage, or the street. ‘Remember the Name’ is fresh off his bout with Sean Brady at UFC 280 in October. There, Muhammad moved his unbeaten streak to nine fights by knockout. In the process, he also handed Brady his first-ever professional defeat.
Kevin Lee calls out Khamzat Chimaev for his return to the UFC: "Don’t act like everybody scared of the man"
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2022
Kevin Lee is eyeing a return to the UFC to face Khamzat Chimaev. Lee was released from the UFC back in 2021 after back-to-back losses and signed with Eagle FC. He made his promotional debut with a decision win over Diego Sanchez in March of 2022 but has yet to fight since.
Tracy Cortez opens up about her struggles with mental health following UFC Orlando withdrawal
Lewis Simpson - December 27, 2022
Tracy Cortez plans on prioritizing her mental before returning to the octagon. On Monday, Cortez provided her followers with an update on her state of mind after withdrawing from her scheduled bout with Amanda Ribas at UFC Orlando on Dec.3. At the time, the UFC labelled the withdrawal as a medical issue. Since then, neither Cortez nor the promotion has cleared it up until now.
Charles Oliveira opens up on UFC title loss to Islam Makhachev: “There’s no real explanation”
Susan Cox - December 27, 2022
Charles Oliveira is opening up on his UFC title loss to Islam Makhachev. It was Charles Oliveira (33-9 MMA) vs Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) this past October at UFC 280 where ‘do Bronx’ lost via submission at 3:16 of Round 2. It was a battle for the 155-pound belt which was vacant at the time, giving the Russian the new found title.
Khamzat Chimaev wants to return at UFC 285 but can’t find a willing opponent: “Nobody wants to fight”
Susan Cox - December 27, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev wants to return at UFC 285 but can’t find a willing opponent. UFC 285 will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
UFC legend Donald Cerrone is jacked up for the Holiday Season (Photo)
Chris Taylor - December 24, 2022
UFC legend Donald Cerrone has put on some serious muscle mass since announcing his retirement from MMA back in July. Cerrone (36-17 MMA) retired from the sport immediately following his submission loss to fellow veteran Jim Miller (35-16 MMA) at UFC 276.
Fighters react after Stephan Bonnar passes away at age 45
Chris Taylor - December 24, 2022
The tragic news of Stephan Bonnar’s death sent shockwaves through the MMA community on Christmas Eve. Tributes from current and former fighters flooded social media shortly following the UFC’s announcement on Twitter.