MMA News
Ray Sefo says PFL’s pay-per-view was a success: “Everybody was happy with it”
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2022
PFL president Ray Sefo has said that everyone is happy with the success of this year’s PFL World Championship pay-per-view. While they may not be the top dogs in the mixed martial arts sphere, PFL certainly knows how to make a statement. In addition to their unique league format, the winners of the brackets every season walk away with $1 million.
BKFC president says if Paige VanZant doesn't re-sign "it was a good ride and a good decision," but still open to extending her contract
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2022
David Feldman isn’t ruling out Paige Vanzant extending her contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. VanZant shocked many when she fought out her UFC contract and signed with BKFC. However, she has lost both of her fights with promotion, suffering losses to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich. Since her second loss in July of 2021, she hasn’t fought since. But, Feldman hopes the former UFC fighter will return in February at KnuckleMania 3.
'You have to fight for your life' says Jiri Prochazka after being left unimpressed by Blachowicz vs Ankalaev
Andrew Whitelaw - December 20, 2022
Jiri Prochazka could only watch as Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 282. The Czech was scheduled to compete in the main event and defend the strap in a rematch with Glover Teixeira. But ‘Denisa’ was forced to vacate the belt after suffering a chronic shoulder injury in the lead-up to the bout.
Brendan Schaub slams Khabib Nurmagomedov over his Islam Makhachev prediction
Andrew Whitelaw - December 20, 2022
Brendan Schaub doesn’t think much of Khabib Nurmagomedov saying Islam Makhachev should have five or six title defences and then ‘leave’ the sport. The fighter-turned-comedian believes it would be a ‘weak’ move to merely hang up the gloves after suffering a first loss as champion. The former UFC heavyweight criticised that thinking from ‘The Eagle’ when speaking on the Schaub Show.
After brawl with Jake Shields, Mike Jackson reveals former UFC champion is challenging him to a fight: "Take your old a*s to sleep"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2022
UFC welterweight Mike Jackson has a lot of MMA legends coming after him lately. ‘The Truth’ has been out of action since a loss to Pete Rodriguez in October. The defeat set Jackson back, as he was previously riding a two-fight unbeaten streak. However, the part-time fighter wouldn’t be out of action for long, as he ran into Jake Shields last week.
Pro-fighter Ali Expansion Act to be brought before U.S. Senate in 2023
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2022
The Ali Expansion Act will be reintroduced to the U.S. Senate next year. Over the last few years, the conversation around fighter pay, amongst other issues, has gotten louder. Thanks to figures such as UFC veteran Nate Quarry, and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, the issue has made it to the mainstream.
Erin Blanchfield reveals Taila Santos clash is on in February: "I know I can beat anyone in the world"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2022
UFC women’s flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield has a big name for her return next year. ‘Cold Blooded’ is fresh off her return at UFC 281 in November. Standing opposite Blanchfield was the fan-favorite Brit, Molly McCann. ‘Meatball’ was riding a three-fight winning streak heading into the event, but didn’t have much success in New York.
Bryce Mitchell was contemplating retirement in the immediate aftermath of his loss at UFC 282 (Video)
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2022
Bryce Mitchell contemplated retirement right after his UFC 282 loss to Ilia Toupria. Mitchell opened up the UFC 282 pay-per-view against Topuria in a crucial fight for the featherweight division. The winner would be in the mix to likely get a top-10 or even a top-five opponent next time out.
Tony Ferguson removed from the UFC lightweight rankings for the first time in over a decade
Susan Cox - December 20, 2022
Tony Ferguson, the former interim lightweight champion, has been removed from the UFC lightweight rankings for the first time in over a decade. The UFC recently updated its official rankings following the UFC Vegas 66 fight card last Saturday night, December 17th, 2022.
Robert Whittaker reacts after losing out on Paulo Costa fight at UFC 284: “This is very upsetting”
Susan Cox - December 20, 2022
Robert Whittaker is reacting after losing out on the Paulo Costa fight at UFC 284. It was to be Robert Whittaker (24-6 MMA) vs Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) in a middleweight bout at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Sean O’Malley discusses Bobby Green’s recent accusations against Islam Makhachev: “They don't know what the f**k they're taking”
Susan Cox - December 20, 2022
Sean O’Malley is discussing Bobby Green’s recent accusations against Islam Makhachev. ‘King’, 36, recently accused his former opponent, Makhachev, of using PED’s during fights.
Renato Moicano attempts to lure Paddy Pimblett into accepting a fight at UFC 286 in London
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2022
Renato Moicano has attempted to lure Paddy Pimblett into accepting a fight against him at UFC 286 in London. While he may not always be consistent, Renato Moicano is one of the most entertaining lightweights in the world. In addition to his eccentric personality, the Brazilian also has a fantastic fight style.
Ariel Helwani shares suggestions for next year’s 30-year anniversary UFC event
Zain Bando - December 19, 2022
Ariel Helwani teased some interesting ideas about what direction the UFC might take for its 30-year anniversary event, scheduled for Nov. 2023. The UFC has just completed its 282nd pay-per-view event Dec. 10 with 11-13 additional events to occur in 2023, inching much closer to another triple-extravaganza with UFC 300 in 2024.
Former UFC featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov teases possible end of retirement: "Contracts are no longer the same"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2022
Former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov could return to the octagon after all. The Russian has been out of action since a November 2019 decision victory over Calvin Kattar. The victory was the biggest of Magomedsharipov’s career to that point and moved him to 18-1 as a professional. Sadly, that was his last time competing in the octagon.
Laura Sanko disagrees with Nick Diaz's recent callout of Israel Adesanya: "I wouldn't want to see him fight Izzy"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2022
UFC analyst Laura Sanko hopes that Nick Diaz’s callout of Israel Adesanya doesn’t come to fruition. The Stockton native has been out of action since his rematch with Robbie Lawler in September 2021. The bout ended a six-year hiatus for the former Strikeforce champion, as he hadn’t competed since his no-contest with Anderson Silva in January 2015.
Jiri Prochazka reveals USADA visits are less frequent after vacating championship: "Thank you, please keep that"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2022
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has had fewer visits from USADA recently. ‘Denisa’ has been out of action since June at UFC 275. In the main event in Singapore, Prochazka and then-light-heavyweight titleholder Glover Teixeira put on a show. While the contest was back and forth, it was the challenger who pulled off the win by fifth-round submission.
What's next for Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland after UFC Vegas 66?
Cole Shelton - December 19, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 66, a middleweight bout between Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland headlined the card. Cannonier was coming off a lackluster decision loss to Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title back in July. Prior to that, he knocked out Derek Brunson at UFC 271 to earn the shot at the belt. Meanwhile, Strickland was coming off a KO loss to Alex Pereira in a title eliminator bout that snapped his six-fight win streak.
Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa off UFC 284
Cole Shelton - December 19, 2022
Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa will not be fighting at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. The UFC announced the fight on social media, but for weeks, Costa has said he has yet to sign the contract and he wouldn’t be fighting Whittaker. The former champ, meanwhile, thought Costa was just trolling and the fight would happen but now according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the fight between Whittaker and Costa is off. There is no news on whether or not Whittaker will remain on the card or who he will fight.